Welding Rod - HERO (3.2)

HERO welding electrodes in 3.2. Rod size governs how much current the weld runs at and how much metal it lays down, and 3.2 is the size most fabrication shops burn most of: heavy enough to fill a decent joint in a single pass on gates, grilles, frames, brackets, rebar cages and general steel section, but still controllable in the hand of a welder who is not working flat out on plate. Below it, 2.5 suits thin section and tack work; the difference in practice is that a rod too large blows through thin steel while one too small takes forever and leaves a weak, piled bead. Keep rods dry - a damp electrode gives a spitting arc and porous welds, which is the commonest cause of a joint that looks sound and is not.