Lincoln Fleetweld Welding Rods

Lincoln Fleetweld electrodes are general-purpose stick rods for fabrication shops, maintenance welders, and field crews who need a reliable rod that runs on AC or DC without a rod oven. The Fleetweld line covers the most common AWS classes for mild steel SMAW — E6013 (Fleetweld 35), E6010 (Fleetweld 5P), E6019 (Fleetweld 180), and E6022 (Fleetweld 22) — in 50 lb production cans and resealable tube packs. These are not low-hydrogen electrodes and are not for code-governed structural work, but for non-critical fabrication, sheet metal, and maintenance welding, Fleetweld is the proven choice.

Lincoln Fleetweld electrodes are general-purpose stick rods for fabrication shops, maintenance welders, and field crews who need a reliable rod that runs on AC or DC without a rod oven. The Fleetweld line covers the most common AWS classes for mild steel SMAW — E6013 (Fleetweld 35), E6010 (Fleetweld 5P), E6019 (Fleetweld 180), and E6022 (Fleetweld 22) — in 50 lb production cans and resealable tube packs. These are not low-hydrogen electrodes and are not the rod for code-governed structural work, but for non-critical fabrication, sheet metal, and maintenance welding, Fleetweld is a proven shop floor standard.

Choosing a Fleetweld electrode for your job

Amperage range: 55–120 A for 3/32 in; 80–160 A for 1/8 in; 110–200 A for 5/32 in. Fleetweld runs across a broad amperage range on AC and DC, compatible with virtually any SMAW machine.
Polarity: Fleetweld 35 (E6013) runs on AC, DC+, or DC-; Fleetweld 5P (E6010) runs on DC+ only; Fleetweld 180 (E6019) runs on AC or DC. This versatility suits field welders with basic equipment.
Joint position: All-position for Fleetweld 35, 180, and 5P. Fleetweld 22 (E6022) is flat and horizontal only — suited to high-speed single-pass welds on light plate.
Base metal: Mild steel (A36, A500, and similar grades), galvanized steel with care, sheet metal, and general carbon-steel fabrication. Not suitable for high-strength, chrome-moly, or stainless applications.
Typical applications: General shop fabrication, sheet metal and light-gauge work, farm and agricultural equipment repair, ornamental metalwork, maintenance and repair welding, and jobs where AC machine compatibility matters more than a low-hydrogen deposit.

What's in this collection

This collection holds 47 active SKUs spanning the Fleetweld 5P, 22, 35, and 180 grades in diameters from 3/32 in through 5/32 in, including 50 lb production cans and 5 lb tube 4-packs for smaller shops. Representative products include the Lincoln ED028153 Fleetweld 35 in 1/8 x 14 in (50 lb can) — the E6013 general-purpose rod with smooth arc, soft spatter, and easy slag removal on light-gauge and general fabrication — and the Lincoln ED010105 Fleetweld 180 in 1/8 x 14 in (50 lb can), an E6019 all-position rod for vertical and overhead repair welds. The Fleetweld 180-RSP (ED033497) in 5 lb resealable tubes serves maintenance shops that prefer smaller quantities and easy storage.

For applications requiring low-hydrogen deposits, code-governed structural welds, or restrained joints on higher-carbon steel, the 7018 low-hydrogen welding rods are the appropriate choice. The complete WeldingMart SMAW catalog — from Fleetweld through Excalibur HSLA and stainless — is in the stick welding electrodes hub. The AWS rod numbers guide explains what separates E6013 from E7018 in the classification system and when each applies.

Fleetweld electrodes do not require a rod oven and are not hygroscopic in the way low-hydrogen rods are. There is no risk of hydrogen-assisted cracking from ambient storage, so no conditioning or baking is required between uses. Store them in their original packaging in a dry area at ambient temperature — this simplicity makes Fleetweld practical for farm shops, field kits, and maintenance operations where rod oven access is not available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Lincoln Fleetweld welding rods used for?

Lincoln Fleetweld rods are used for general-purpose mild steel SMAW — shop fabrication, maintenance and repair welding, farm and agricultural equipment, light-gauge sheet metal, and non-critical structural work. The line covers E6010, E6013, E6019, and E6022 AWS classes. Fleetweld is not a low-hydrogen electrode and is not appropriate for code-governed structural work or restrained joints on higher-carbon steel.

What is the difference between Fleetweld 35 and Fleetweld 180?

Fleetweld 35 is an E6013 rutile-based electrode — soft arc, smooth bead, easy slag removal, suitable for light-gauge material and thin-section fabrication on AC or DC. Fleetweld 180 is an E6019 electrode with slightly higher penetration and better vertical and overhead performance, suited to medium-thickness repair work. Both run on AC or DC and require no rod oven storage.

Can Fleetweld rods run on AC welders?

Yes — most Fleetweld grades run on AC, DC+, or DC-, making them compatible with basic AC transformer welders and inverter machines alike. Fleetweld 5P (E6010) is the exception — it runs on DC+ only. This broad machine compatibility is one of the primary reasons Fleetweld is popular for field repair and farm shop welding where equipment may be older or basic.

Do Fleetweld rods need to be stored in a rod oven?

No — Fleetweld electrodes are not low-hydrogen classified and do not require rod oven storage. Store them in their original packaging in a dry location. Prolonged exposure to moisture can reduce arc stability, but Fleetweld does not carry the hydrogen-assisted cracking risk of mishandled low-hydrogen rods. For jobs requiring low-hydrogen control, use 7018 welding rods instead.

What is Fleetweld 5P used for?

Fleetweld 5P is an E6010 cellulosic electrode used for root passes, pipe welding, and applications where deep penetration and a fast-freeze arc are required on DC+. It is the general-shop version of a cellulosic root-pass rod, useful for open-root pipe, vertical-up structural passes, and maintenance welds in difficult positions. Unlike Fleetweld 35 or 180, the 5P runs on DC+ only and produces a more forceful, digging arc.

Fleetweld 35 vs 7018 — which should I use?

Use Fleetweld 35 (E6013) for light-gauge, non-critical, or general fabrication where low hydrogen is not required — it runs on any machine and requires no special storage. Use 7018 for any structural, code-governed, or restrained weld, higher-carbon or higher-strength base metals, or whenever diffusible hydrogen control is required by the procedure. The two rods serve different jobs and are not interchangeable for code-governed structural work.