amps

[50mags50]

Any tips on how to determin what to set my welder amps at for differnent thickness of metals, i have a 295 amp welder, and what the difference AC current and DC current and what should be used when?

 

[scarecrow]

The box of rods should tell you what amps to set your welder at the it should tell you the minimum and the maximum for the size of Rod 2.5 mm rods will welled up to about two to five millimetres may be less may be more depending on technique and the speed you travel at it's a little bit of trial and error AC and DC are two different types of ark welder AC is much cheaper to buy but DC is much nicer to welled with some rods are AC and DC and some are just AC OR DC

 

[shenion]

..and some only work well on one polarity on DC

The box should tell you the options: amp range, DC+, DC- or AC.

There are also special rods for AC welders with lower OCV.

 

[runnach]

This should answer most of you're questions:

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/calculators/

Amp settings are just a guide, up to you to fine tune to your skill level.

Obvious rule of thumb, thinner the material, use the smallest dia rod available, upping rod dia moving up the material thickness scale.