A photograph provides a close-up view of two welded joints: a rough 6011 weld on steel and a smooth 6013 weld on rusty metal, with both rods labeled.

Welding Rods 6011 vs 6013 for Different Welding Jobs

When you’re learning stick welding, you’ll quickly run into 6011 and 6013 rods. They’re two of the most common choices, but they behave very differently once you strike an arc. Choosing the right one can save you a lot of frustration, depending on what you’re welding and how much prep work you’re dealing with. This…