Some clarifications about joint preperation for MMA

[E T]

Am I the only one that can't get on with 2.5mm rods?! Much prefer a 3.2 or 4mm.

I do like 3.2mm rods and use them a lot, but for open root I prefer a 2.5mm.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

What sort of rods do people use for roots, I've only ever used 6013 and 7018 (bohler fox ev50 being my go to favourite!)

 

[backpurge]

Used to root everything with ESAB 48.00 back in the day, pipe, plate everything

 

[E T]

What sort of rods do people use for roots, I've only ever used 6013 and 7018 (bohler fox ev50 being my go to favourite!)

For open root I use 7016 on DCEN. At the moment I have a bunch of Lastek 28 and Lastek1130 for that but I also like Esab OK53.05 and Lincoln Baso100 for open root.
For anything else its 7018 on DCEP. I do like and use the Weldkar 7018 a lot. They run very nice on DCEP but not so good on DCEN.
If in a pinch I can do an open root with those on DCEN but they don't like it and neither do I.
I also use Lincoln Conarc 49C and Conarc 48. Conarc 49C has no problems with DCEN, but Conarc 48 likes DCEP a lot better like the Weldkar.
When I was younger I had no problems with running 6013, but my eyesight isn't what it used to be and nowadays I can see the puddle a lot better with 7018. I can still run a good bead with rutile electrodes, but I prefer the basic(low-hydrogen) ones now especially for in position welding.
The 6013 and 6012 electrodes I have are only used on sheet metal.

 

[Memmeddu]

What sort of rods do people use for roots, I've only ever used 6013 and 7018 (bohler fox ev50 being my go to favourite!)

E6010
E7016
E6011
Usually
But nowdays 7016 is replacing cellulose electrodes .
Back to the topic .
I do prefer to avoid open root joints
When I need complete penetration (remember just an hobbyist) I put a backing strip or I simply backgrind .
Open root in my welding adventures will occur whenever I have a bad fit .
In those cases I use what I have .
E6010 when my welder works with them (it's not meant to run this electrodes)
Or 7018 2.5mm DCEN 70A , but it's hard to maintain the arc and to avoid to blow a hole .

Planning to get some E6011 but I'm little bit concerned about slag inclusions because seems that those AC version of 6010 doesn't work as good as their DC only version.
Which requires a good machine with a dedicated setting and an high OCV