e7018 electrodes

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Probably easiest question in the world.  In my first welding class we welded with e6011 and e7018 electrodes and since i had a little experience with both I figured i would carry both in my garage to play with.  However i seen that the e7018 should be kept in an oven to keep moisture away.  Does anyone keep any e7018 and not keep heated?  I live in arizona my garage is pretty darn hot most of the summer would that help?
Reply:To be honest, you can pass bend tests with uncooked 7018, wet 7018. You will be ok not keeping them in an oven. For code type work you have to have them cooked. I never keep mine cooked, as do most members, its not practical for home/hobby/practice. You will be using 7018 a lot as it is an industry standard, 6010 is pretty common in some fields as well.Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:7018 runs better right out of the oven, but it can be run cold too. Sounds like it will be at least a week or two before you do any code work, so don't worry too much about it right now. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Cep well if by code work u mean using welding as code for hiding from the wife then it will be sooner then that lol.  I been picking up home depot Lincoln electric rods for convenience near home should I stick with that or is there better or cheaper places?
Reply:For home/hobby use I just keep my 7018 on my furnace
Reply:I've never been a big fan of the box store Lincoln 7108's. I love the Lincoln Excalibur 7108 rods though. I've also had good luck with several other brands like MG rods. I get most of my rods new from my local welding supplier. They have a decent assortment of 7018 to choose from both in brand and container size. I usually try to stick with smaller containers since I don't use stick all that frequently, and the summer humidity can play havoc some times with rods like 7018 that have sat for a long time..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:@ newbe1977 - don't sweat the "I need to score a rod oven for 7018s to weld like a boss" dilemma. Rip one of these good-enough containers from your LWS or score online.  Buy 3/32" and 1/8" Lincoln 7018 Excaliburs, stow 'em in one of these containers, and enjoy the journey  Attached Images"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:If you're using an inverter welder, personally I think they like different brands of rod over others. I've had real good luck with Lincoln's Excalibur. ESAB's Atom Arc, and Acclaim. I only buy it in 50-pound cans, cheaper per pound that way.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:What brands of rod are available to you?  I do not like the box store Hobart rods.At my local hardware store they carry Hobart and Washington Alloy.We ran them side by side and Washington Alloy ran much better - meaning less spatter and easier chipping slag, did not snuff out during a weld.I have not purchased any of the Lincoln Excalibur rods, but so far everyone I've seen likes them.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:When welding with 7018 I like to keep a 1/4" thick piece of plate (coupon) clamped to the work piece so I can "warm up" the rod before striking it on what I'm welding. I normally only do this when I'm having issues with sticking due to lower amperage setting.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelWhen welding with 7018 I like to keep a 1/4" thick piece of plate (coupon) clamped to the work piece so I can "warm up" the rod before striking it on what I'm welding. I normally only do this when I'm having issues with sticking due to lower amperage setting.
Reply:I may be a bit strange, But I prefer Hobart 7018 for uphill pipe(non code) and Excalibur for structural and heavy equipment repairs. The Hobart seems to freeze faster to me and gives a better looking cover pass. Excalibur flows nicely though for straight vertical welds. Mental block? One thing I do not like about Excalibur is the fragile flux, the last couple 50lb boxes of 1/8" had about 2-3 lbs of bad rod in them.
Reply:We use the rod holder as posted. Harbor freight ones work too. Shop guy use to buy 50 pound boxes but more rod was disposed of because of storage. We went to 10 pound cans and actually save money and almost always have fresh rod.
Reply:For home/hobby use, keeping 7018 in one of those sealed holders ManoKai posted a photo of once the original package is opened will do just fine.7018 flux coating is low hydrogen.  Translation - low/no moisture.  Moisture in the flux coating will breakdown into its two components - hydrogen and oxygen - from the arc and hydrogen introduced into the weld can lead to cracking.  The article below does a good job of explaining the technical aspects.http://civil-engg-world.blogspot.com...lectrodes.htmlHowever, keeping them in an old refrigerator with a 100W light bulb doesn't meet the storage or cooking requirements of 7018 as the two Lincoln articles below show.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...es-detail.aspxhttp://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...es-detail.aspxBut again, you're not doing code work so unless you start having serious problems with basic weld performance or flux that chips off like concrete you likely won't have to worry about going thru the proper drying process.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveWhat brands of rod are available to you?  I do not like the box store Hobart rods.At my local hardware store they carry Hobart and Washington Alloy.We ran them side by side and Washington Alloy ran much better - meaning less spatter and easier chipping slag, did not snuff out during a weld.I have not purchased any of the Lincoln Excalibur rods, but so far everyone I've seen likes them.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI second the opinion on how much the Hobart rods suck.  It's too bad too, because TSC carries that brand exclusively and they always have all sizes available on he shelves too.
Reply:I have used Hobart 418 and it ran great. My only beef, the slag was thick and harder to chip & clean off. Get your rod in a tin can, whatever amount you want, from a welding supply and you'll see a difference.I keep my 7018 in a rod oven, like a Boss!!! Because EVERY weld I make is a code and x-ray quality weld. Because I never know when that thing-a-ma-jiggy I've welded, will be used to tow or support a school bus full of kids and nuns!!!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI have used Hobart 418 and it ran great. My only beef, the slag was thick and harder to chip & clean off. Get your rod in a tin can, whatever amount you want, from a welding supply and you'll see a difference.I keep my 7018 in a rod oven, like a Boss!!! Because EVERY weld I make is a code and x-ray quality weld. Because I never know when that thing-a-ma-jiggy I've welded, will be used to tow or support a school bus full of kids and nuns!!!
Reply:My little oven draws about 6.5 amps. Its supposed to shut down at around 300F* and save electricity but I doubt it in the garage in the winter. If it runs steady for a month, I estimate it costs about $90 a month. Not practical if its not making me at least $91 a month.Ive measured the temp of a rod after about two seconds of weld and it was about 300F*. Hydrogen imbrittlment causes cracking and stress in metal. Moisture has hydrogen. The 7018 aDsorbs hydrogen or as some say," aBsorbs moisture" on the surface of the flux. If you live in a humid climate then it probly aBsorbs moisture as it will probly be saturated from hydrogen already. In a dry climate it will probly not be saturated with water but the condensation will probly aDsorb some hydrogen. You decide.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideMy little oven draws about 6.5 amps. Its supposed to shut down at around 300F* and save electricity but I doubt it in the garage in the winter. If it runs steady for a month, I estimate it costs about $90 a month. Not practical if its not making me at least $91 a month.Ive measured the temp of a rod after about two seconds of weld and it was about 300F*. Hydrogen imbrittlment causes cracking and stress in metal. Moisture has hydrogen. The 7018 aDsorbs hydrogen or as some say," aBsorbs moisture" on the surface of the flux. If you live in a humid climate then it probly aBsorbs moisture as it will probly be saturated from hydrogen already. In a dry climate it will probly not be saturated with water but the condensation will probly aDsorb some hydrogen. You decide.
Reply:Originally Posted by 12V71I may be a bit strange, But I prefer Hobart 7018 for uphill pipe(non code) and Excalibur for structural and heavy equipment repairs. The Hobart seems to freeze faster to me and gives a better looking cover pass. Excalibur flows nicely though for straight vertical welds. Mental block? One thing I do not like about Excalibur is the fragile flux, the last couple 50lb boxes of 1/8" had about 2-3 lbs of bad rod in them.
Reply:I keep my 7018 in those plastic containers. Then keep the plastic containers in a 40mm ammo can.The 7018 excaubur  runs real nice. Washington alloy 7018 is pretty good, if you have a machine that put out good smooth DC.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave Low hydrogen electrodes have coatings comprised of materials that are very low in hydrogen."
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideDude, chill out. My point is that ovens use a lot of juice. In Minnesota with 10,000 lakes you probly have hi humidity. But I dont beleive everything I read because I cant even beleive theres 10,000 lakes there and thats what it said on the license plates from Minnesota.BTW, I did read post 14 links. It sounds like layman terms for weldors not chemists.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideMy little oven draws about 6.5 amps. Its supposed to shut down at around 300F* and save electricity but I doubt it in the garage in the winter. If it runs steady for a month, I estimate it costs about $90 a month. Not practical if its not making me at least $91 a month.I use my older stuff to repair mild steel Ag equipment. No issues in 20 years.
Reply:Insult to weldorsIm just a sheetrocker (drywall) I dont think I can insult a weldOr at this point in time. Or can I?BTW, I did go to college so that I wouldnt have to work a lowly construction job like my Dad but, I like my dad,Last edited by Insaneride; 07-04-2014 at 09:02 PM.
Reply:I keep my 300-pound oven on 24/7. the shop has it's own power meter, I didn't see any increase in the power bill at all. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:CEP, you got 3 phase? With 2 xformers, you couild use a Scotts Xformer to get 3 phase.Seperate meter should be seperat xfmr .
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideCEP, you got 3 phase?
Reply:For home hobby non-critical 7018 usage which is just practicing with 7018 in different positions, I just leave the 7018's in a rod guard tube.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Damn CEP, you have some set up!  I saw three ovens in that one picture.  Care to unload with the small oven on the far left? Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by Insaneride aDsorbs ... aBsorbs
Reply:If you are worried about the rod oven using a lot of power throw another layer of insulation around it.I am sure the oven doesn't draw its rated power all the time, I figure it would cycle off.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4If you are worried about the rod oven using a lot of power throw another layer of insulation around it.I am sure the oven doesn't draw its rated power all the time, I figure it would cycle off.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHuh?   I'm lost.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideWater contains Hydrogen but Hydrogen does NOT contain water.  Hydrogen has one electron in its valence band. Oxygen has eight electrons total in two valence bands. Water has 10  electrons. What I dont understand is; how does the ten electrons fit into the 7018 flux.
Reply:CEP, a separate meter would suggest a separate transformer IMO. The transformer's could be on the same phase but they may not be. Do you know if you have separate transformers?Since you already have a phase converter its probly not important but you may already have two phase if you do have two transformers.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDavePlaying word games - Adsorb involves just the surface, absorb involves the entire item, the one we normally think of.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideWord games? Is that like saying 10,000 ponds are 10,000 lakes?I know what hygroscopic is, I beleive I told you that one. Brake fluid is hygroscopic.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideCEP, a separate meter would suggest a separate transformer IMO. The transformer's could be on the same phase but they may not be. Do you know if you have separate transformers?Since you already have a phase converter its probly not important but you may already have two phase if you do have two transformers.
Reply:Insaneride, Either way, everyone knows that moisture is the killer of 7018.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Hydrogen  go into solution from the water, during the arc phase of lighting up that electrode?   Without H20 contamination of the flux (or on the surface of the weld joint),  a 7018 wouldn't need an oven to keep it dry, right?Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcInsaneride, Either way, everyone knows that moisture is the killer of 7018.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Hydrogen  go into solution from the water, during the arc phase of lighting up that electrode?   Without H20 contamination of the flux (or on the surface of the weld joint),  a 7018 wouldn't need an oven to keep it dry, right?
Reply:Just dip them in wax to seal out the moisture. old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4Just dip them in wax to seal out the moisture.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcInsaneride, Either way, everyone knows that moisture is the killer of 7018.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Hydrogen  go into solution from the water, during the arc phase of lighting up that electrode?   Without H20 contamination of the flux (or on the surface of the weld joint),  a 7018 wouldn't need an oven to keep it dry, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideIts just a play on words or word games dont cha know?They call it LOW Hydrogen rod but its really low water rod dont cha know?
Reply:I thought we had that settled here:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...21#post4164621They are called low hydrogen because the finished weld when performed correctly is low in hydrogen.NOT because they contain fewer hydrogen atoms compared to other rods.
Reply:Originally Posted by taz00I thought we had that settled here:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...21#post4164621They are called low hydrogen because the finished weld when performed correctly is low in hydrogen.NOT because they contain fewer hydrogen atoms compared to other rods.
Reply:Does anyone use electrodes smaller than 1/8 very often