When you’re using a type of welding that has a fixed electrode, such as TIG welding, your choice of electrode is one of the most important steps in preparing your weld. Electrodes differ in terms of their material composition, tensile strength, polarity, and other properties. The 7014 electrode is one of the most common and versatile ones.
7014 welding rods are made of iron and titania. They are a favorite among welding beginners because of their versatility and easy usage in almost all positions. It also has decent penetration and tensile strength.
- All Positions
- 70,000 PSI Tensile Strength
- AC, DC+, and DC-
One of the important things when learning how to weld is learning how to differentiate between different welding rods. By learning about the different properties of the 7014 welding rod, you will know when is the best time to use it.
Table of Contents
Properties of the 7014 Welding Rod
First, it’s important to learn about a 7014 welding rod’s properties before you can figure out the application.
There are a few properties you should always look at when you are choosing your welding rods. These include:
- The material
- Polarity
- Tensile strength
- Penetration
Together, these properties give you an insight into how the welding rod works and how you can use it.
Welding Rod Material
The 7014 welding rod is made out of iron powder coating mixed with titania flux. Combined, these materials create a versatile rod that is resistant to bad weather, including moisture. The coating also leads to higher deposition rates than with other welding rods, but you don’t have to worry about waste because it is very easy to remove the slag.
Polarity
Another aspect of the 7014’s versatility is its polarity. It works with all polarities, including AC, DC+, and DC-. That means that you can use this electrode with any current you are running. You don’t have to stop in the middle of your project and switch to a different electrode just because you have to switch currents.
Tensile Strength
The 7014’s tensile strength is actually given away in its name. The first two digits of an electrode name always represent the tensile strength. A rod whose first two digits are 70 has a tensile strength of about 70,000 psi, or pounds per square inch. That is strong enough to weld together steel, making this one of the stronger electrodes on the market and perfect for sturdier materials and applications.
Penetration
The 7014 has a medium penetration, making it versatile to use. It penetrates deep enough to use for multilevel welds, making it a very important tool for your arsenal.
What Is It Like to Weld With a 7014?
Now that you know the properties of the 7014 welding rod, you might be wondering what it’s like actually to use this electrode? The answer is that the welding experience is very pleasant.
The 7014 electrode is great for beginner welders. It is versatile, so you don’t have to agonize if you use the right weld for almost all applications. It is an all-position electrode, although you shouldn’t use it for out-of-position welds.
The thick deposit from the iron powder creates a thick layer of slag that is easy to remove after the weld, making welding easier without getting an ugly result. It is easy to maneuver without ever sacrificing strength. Plus, it creates a very fast weld.
Finally, it is forgiving of mistakes. You don’t have to worry about careful storage because it isn’t sensitive to water. You don’t have to worry about the base metal because it works with almost all metals. As you’re getting your feet wet with welding, you want an electrode that makes life easier for you.
What Is A 7014 Welding Rod Used For?
As mentioned above, the 7014 is a very versatile welding rod. It is used in many different applications because its properties make for a forgiving welding experience.
Some of the situations where you can use a 7014 welding rod include:
- Farming
- Welding thin metals
- Auto body manufacturing
- Structural welding
- Welding art
Farming
Believe it or not, farmers need to be welders sometimes too. Many farm equipment, from combines to feed pens, are made of metal. Welding is often the best way to conduct quick repairs. However, conditions on a farm are demanding of anyone, including welding equipment.
A 7014 rod is best for farming because it is resistant to damp conditions. Farmers don’t have anywhere they can precisely store welding equipment and often need to weld out in the field, making the 7014 ideal.
Welding Thin Metals
Although the 7014 electrode is fairly strong, one of its best uses is when working with thin metals. It welds quickly, which is ideal because if you linger too much on thin metal pieces you could cause damage. It is also a lot easier to restrike, which means starting up the arc electrode after an interruption.
Auto Body Manufacturing
There are many situations in which you need to weld thin metals together. One of those is autobody manufacturing and repairs. You make a lot of car parts by welding sheet metal together, and other autobody parts also consist of thin metals. Plus, most welding in car manufacturing is horizontal, which is perfect for 7014 electrodes.
Structural Welding
Besides the delicate business of welding together thin metals, 7014 rods are also perfect for sturdier jobs. Structural welding, which creates sturdy steel structures, is a great application for 7014 welding rods. Welders use 7014 electrodes in heavy-duty industries such as shipbuilding, construction, bridge building, and machine manufacturing. It’s a mistake to dismiss 7014 electrodes as delicate tools just for DIY welders and sheet metals.
Welding Art
Welding is an important trade but it is also a craft. Many hobbyist welders use their skill to create delicate metal art which they then sell at craft fairs. Welding artists love using the 7014 electrode because it is delicate enough to work with small pieces and thin metals. Plus, the weld effect is pretty. Slag from 7014 electrodes is easy to scrape off so artists avoid any unsightly clumping. The 7014 electrode also produces some pretty nice ripple effects when you take it across the metal.
Types of Welding Suited for the 7014 Electrode
You can use the 7014 electrode with any type of fixed electrode welding. It also works with any current. I prefer it when using a TIG welding machine because it is versatile and gives me the flexibility to use many different settings on my welding machine.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of welder you are, if you are using a fixed electrode welding machine, you should have some 7014 electrodes on hand. These medium-penetration electrodes are the perfect medium: strong enough to provide structural support for steel welding while delicate enough to work with sheet metal and even create welding art.
The fast weld, easy clean-up, and user-friendly experience of the 7014 weld makes it perfect for beginner welders. Even professionals still like this weld for everything from farming to shipbuilding. It isn’t perfect in all applications, for example vertical welding, but it is very versatile.
