Stick Welding Information - Everlast PowerMTS 400 Operator's Manual

Table of Contents

Component Identification and Explanation

Make sure the unit is turned on and the boot cycle has finished.

Select the Stick Process on the Selector.

Make sure the electrode holder is in the Positive connector and the work clamp is in the negative connector.

Select the Amp level desired. No voltage adjustment is available. Select Hot Start Time and Hot Start Amps % (Intensity) to improve starting

reliability. Use higher amounts of Hot Start %, over 50% with difficult to strike rods, or rods that aren't fresh or out of a sealed metal can.

Use the arc force control to select the desired arc characteristics, creating the desired arc characteristic and amp response needed to maintain the

arc. Cellulose electrodes may not have the same arc force behavior as other welding electrodes, but each brand and size will weld a little differ-

ently. Typically rods such as the E6011 will require a setting 60-80% for best results. The arc force control setting will vary from person to per-

son as well, with different rod angles, positions, and arc lengths all factoring into the arc force control performance. If you are new to using an

inverter welder, there are some aspects that will seem different. One of the main ones is that the arc is better controlled in most situations by

"pushing in" when the arc seems to get weak or unstable and the arc force will kick in as the voltage drops. If the arc length is too long, the volt-

age rise will signal the inverter to shut down and will terminate welding output. This is done to limit amp draw on the circuit. This threshold is

shorter than most transformers, and an extremely long arc cannot be maintained. However, with a little practice, the arc will be easy to manage

with some adaptation in technique.

Strike the arc with either the tapping method or the match strike method. Beginners usually find that the match strike method typically yields the

best results.

Pay particular attention to the Arc Force setting as it affects the aggressiveness of the arc and the amp response. Set the Arc force to approximately 3-

4 and readjust it from that point to find the optimum setting. Adjust in half increments up or down from there to obtain the best results Usually, an

increase in the arc force for cellulose based flux welding rods is helpful. Lowering the Arc force setting is generally desirable for rods iron powder/

Titania based flux. Too much arc force will create overheating of the welding rod, and even cause them to flame up. Too little can lead to sticking and

arc snuffing. When welding, the weld will be slower than MIG speed. One of the most common mistakes for users transitioning from MIG to Stick

welding is the travel speed. Allow the metal to fill the puddle as the rod travels forward. Be sure to try to separate the difference between the slag and

the molten pool of metal. The slag will coalesce behind the puddle if travel and rod angle is correct. Do not let the slag travel in front of the puddle.

Keep the top of the rod inclined to the direction of travel around 10-20 degrees while welding in the flat position (Electrode holder should be in front

and inline of the puddle). To begin, simply start the arc, and then drag the rod slowly and carefully along the metal, allowing the rod flux to provide a

standoff between the metal filler and the puddle. Be sure to keep feeding the rod steadily downward into the puddle as the rod melts. In the case of

E6010, 6011, and other rods with a cellulose based flux, a slight stepping motion in front of the puddle about 1/8"-1/4" in front of the puddle can be

used as a key hole opens up in the weld joint, ahead of the puddle. This is also called "whipping" the rod. Do not flip the end of the rod away from the

puddle in a arc motion or the arc may terminate while using E6010 or similar cellulosic rods. When experience is gained, numerous manipulation

methods may be used with rods such as E7018, 7014, 6013, and 7024. Weave the rod no more than 2.5 times the width of the welding rod. To begin

weaving, weave small, tight patterns similar to C's, cursive E's, V's, or even figure 8's.