6013 recomendations please

[sardine]

Need some more 6013's, I haven't bought any for ages, after I got a load of vodex cheap, what's value for money these days, mostly looking for a nice finish on the stuff I do.

I'm in Milton Keynes, but I don't mind ordering them.

SIF trodes are 18 quid a box, are these good ?

 

[BrokenBiker]

siftrodes from weld equip are good. I use fincord most of the time and like them, not sure about price, i get them from work

 

[Welderpaul]

Most welders have a particular brand of rod that they swear by.

I learnt with Oerlikon Fincord and IMO they are a very good rod and the 6013's are quite forgiving and lay a lovely bead. Murex/Bohler/ESAB/Lincoln are the sort of brand to go for.

 

[BrokenBiker]

as a related topic, are there any other mild steel electrodes that aren't 6013?

 

[Welderpaul]

as a related topic, are there any other mild steel electrodes that aren't 6013?

Yes. 6013's are a general purpose rod which can be used for positional welding.

 

[1999tig]

phoenex rods any good?

 

[PTvor]

Siftrodes are OK.

UTP/Bohler Phoenix in the red box, which are their cheapies, are good. I think they do dearer ones under the Phoenix name.

Murex white box/ESAB OK46.30.

I'd avoid anything not branded by a major name in electrodes; SIP, Toolstation, mystery rods on ebay.

 

[PTvor]

as a related topic, are there any other mild steel electrodes that aren't 6013?

6010, 6011, 6012 (probably impossible to find now). 6022, 6024, 6018, all seldom found or obsolete, or not popular in the UK. 6019 and few others popular in the far east.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i have used either 6010 or 6011 before, interesting to know of the others though

 

[ben8vgte]

For a nice finish I like the Fincord as well, but I tend to burn ESAB ok 46.30 now as they are much cheaper and easy to get locally. Still they do burn nice and cant fault them really.

 

[sardine]

Anyone know about Zodian universal, the advertising says they are the best thing since sliced bread .

 

[PTvor]

An expensive premium rutile-cellulosic rod with a host of approvals and a long established good name.

Considering they can be bought for less than half the price and they are a good, consistent rod, I'd go for the UTP Phoenix 6013s, unless I had some pressing reason to use the Zodians and fork out a lot more.

 

[wheresmejumper]

An expensive premium rutile-cellulosic rod with a host of approvals and a long established good name.

Considering they can be bought for less than half the price and they are a good, consistent rod, I'd go for the UTP Phoenix 6013s, unless I had some pressing reason to use the Zodians and fork out a lot more.

Zodian are cheap, you arent confusing them with vodex?

 

[PTvor]

I've not seen them at less than £25 a half packet (2.4 kg) for ages.

They may be cheaper in Ireland.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Yeah they're cheap here, about €15 a packet.i dont think theyre particularly nice to use either, very like esab 46.30 I think their called, or whatever esab budget rods are

 

[TechnicAl]

All Id say is buy a manufacturers brand. Esab, Lincoln, Bohler, Air Liquide plus a few others

Some appear to be brands but they buy them in (Siftrodes are one) and theres no guarantee they will buy the next lot from the same place. You could like one packet and then buy another thats rubbish.

If you have some fairly thick stuff and its all on the flat........look for 7024s 3,2mm they are basically 6013s with Iron Powder and are the easiest to use.....I got the wife welding with one

 

[sardine]

Anywhere near Milton Keynes that sell good rods over the counter ?

 

[ben8vgte]

Yeah PWP Industrial in Bedford, but they are only open week days. Colour weld near Barton Le Clay have the ESAB stuff, but I'd ring ring and check stock as they don't carry much at all really. They had to order me in 1.6 A15 tig rods !

PWP would be my first choice as they will have a wide selection of all sorts and grades, I know they have Bohler as I got some J50's not long ago they might stock other stuff just stay clear of the T&R rods..

There is Weld air supplies in Dunstable, but I'm not sure what they stock as it's been a few years since I went in there.

Might be more in MK it self though..

 

[Tigman]

Why dont you try United Welding Supplys Hitchin very helpful , Bohler 6013 are on special offer buy three packs get one free !