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Best Welding Rod for Vertical Down
Full breakdown: stick welding amperage chart.
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Lincoln's vertical-down procedure
| Setting | Groove weld | Fillet weld |
|---|---|---|
| Plate thickness | 3/16 in. (3/32 in. gap) | not listed |
| Leg size | not listed | 5/32 in. |
| Passes | 1–2 | 1 |
| Electrode | Fleetweld 5P or 5P+ (E6010), 5/32 in. | |
| Current | 120 A | |
| Polarity | DC+ | |
| Arc speed, first pass | 10–11 in./min | |
| Feet of weld per hour | 26 | 55 |
| Pounds of electrode per foot | 0.168 | 0.071 |
Source: Lincoln Electric, Stick Electrode Welding Guide (C2.410), vertical down welds. Feet per hour is Lincoln's figure at a 100% operating factor.
When to weld down and when to weld up
Lincoln splits it by thickness. Vertical down is the fast choice on 18 gauge through 3/16 in. steel. On plate over 3/16 in., Lincoln says vertical-up techniques give deeper penetration and lower overall welding cost (Lincoln guide). For sheet, start with what size welder for 18 gauge sheet metal. At the top of the range, see what size welder for 3/16 inch steel.
Why E6010? Lincoln's out-of-position procedures call for 3/16 in. and smaller Fleetweld 5P or 5P+ (E6010) on electrode positive, at currents in the lower part of the rod's range. If your machine only puts out AC, the same section says to switch to E6011 (Fleetweld 35 or Fleetweld 180) at about 10% higher current (Lincoln guide).
Amperage ranges for every rod size are in the stick electrode amperage data. If you are still choosing a first rod, see the best welding rod for beginners.
FAQ
What rod does Lincoln use for vertical down?
Fleetweld 5P or 5P+, an E6010 electrode, 5/32 in. diameter, at 120 amps DC positive, in the vertical-down procedure of the Lincoln stick electrode guide.
How thick can I weld vertical down?
Lincoln recommends vertical down for the fastest welding of 18 gauge to 3/16 in. steel. Its procedure says to weld thicker plate with vertical-up techniques (Lincoln guide).
What if my welder is AC only?
For the out-of-position procedures in that section, Lincoln says to use Fleetweld 35 or Fleetweld 180 (E6011) at about 10% higher current when only AC output is available (Lincoln guide).
How fast does the vertical-down procedure run?
Lincoln lists an arc speed of 10 to 11 in./min on the first pass, about 26 ft of weld per hour for the 3/16 in. groove and 55 ft per hour for the 5/32 in. fillet (Lincoln guide).
Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below. Spot an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Lincoln Electric, Stick Electrode Welding Guide, Publication C2.410. https://ch-delivery.lincolnelectric.com/api/public/content/dd6f6e98d1084c66a0189b143079936f. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.