[rhlaw]

I'm fairly new at welding it is just a hobby for me. I've read up quite a bit on the characteristics of 6010, 6011, 6013, 7014, and 7018. My questions are specifically about the 7014. I see a lot of comments about it that indicate its penetration is similar to the 6013. However I did a cut and etch on each of the rods I've listed and something must be wrong. I got good penetration with the 6010 and 6011. That was expected. I didn't get much penetration from the 6013 which was also expected. However the 7014 got penetration approaching the 6010 and 6011. The penetration of the 7018 was better than the 6013 but not by much. Is this how these rods are or have I goofed in my welding? I am going to run tests on the 7014 and 7018 again. Perhaps my 7018 rods are too old and have been in too humid environments (assuming Utah ever gets humid )

[Louie1961]

I would guess something was amiss with your 7014 rods or the way you welded them. They are considered normally to have medium penetration. A lot could depend on the amperage you were running for each. In the flat position I run my 7018s about 120-125 amps, but 7014 for me always requires about 140 amps

[cj737]

Here's a good article for you to understand the characteristics of the rod comparatively:
https://www.mechanicwiz.com/7014-weldin ... -amperage/

[Spartan]

I don't run much stick these days, but when I do, it's usually 7014 and for very general purpose type welds that would just be too difficult or time consuming to run with TIG. That being said, I've noticed that 7014 rods have a lot of variation between different manufacturers, more than most other rods I've dealt with. Given the same rod diameter, the flux thickness on the rod is often quite different, the amperage ranges are always noticeably different (sometimes 30-40 amps difference), the listed polarities are different (some allow all three, some don't, and no pattern to it), and even the color of the flux can be quite different. And of course, they all weld noticeably different.

A bit odd, and kind of annoying. Sure there's always differences in rods from one brand to the next, but 7014 takes the cake, IMO.

Perhaps that is contributing to the irregularities you are seeing.

[tweake]

if 7014 is anything like 6013, there is a huge range of different rods.
you really need to read the manufactures description to get an idea of what they will be like.