Idealarc problems.

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So, my idealarc will run fine flat and horizontal but try vertical and it goes to crap. I was running 7018 Excalibur 1/8 at approximately 110 amps with dc positive. It would gouge and not fill back in but instead lump up on me. Im clueless to what it could be. I tried hotter, colder and DC negative and still all the same. Thanks for the help and advice.
Reply:try 3/32 rod
Reply:Jumped the gun I believe. Figured out it was a little operator error mixed with bad rods. Opened a new pack of 7018 and runs good.
Reply:Originally Posted by FlashedJumped the gun I believe. Figured out it was a little operator error mixed with bad rods. Opened a new pack of 7018 and runs good.
Reply:These rods had been left over from grandpa he left opened up, id say multiple years at the least. I can only assume moisture from the basement got to them. I did fix my rod angle, bad positioning on my part, and grabbed the cleanest piece of metal I had for a new piece, ran great.
Reply:Originally Posted by FlashedJumped the gun I believe. Figured out it was a little operator error mixed with bad rods. Opened a new pack of 7018 and runs good.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI was just about to reply, until I read the above quote.  Idealarcs don't have problems.  Ever.  Them and cockroaches will be the only things left alive after a nuclear bomb attack.
Reply:idealarcs are just old and heavy design. more likely to get a hernia and bad back trying to move it far..new inverters at less than 20 lbs the power cable and welding cable extensions weigh more than the machine. true inverters work better with AC rod or low open circuit voltage rod like 6011 and 7018. i just think of it why use a 50 to 100 year old type of welding electrode. minds well use a newer type welding rod with newer welding machine. 6011 burns same as 6010 or i have not noticed a difference if you use a welding rod type made for the type of welding machine you have..i can remember having to run 200 feet of welding cable or get a crane to pick old fashioned welding machine up to roof or using a chainfall hoist. now i can carry inverter welding machine and 10ga 240volt power cord and reach just about anywhere easily
Reply:I have a Maxstar 140STR that welds beautiful with 7018,7014,6011 and weighs a mere 10lbs.  It's about the same size as a 4 slice toaster so I call it the toaster. It will run of 115 or 230 and is a blast to weld with. I still like the old school heavy transformers like the Idealarc or Dialarcs. They all have their place in my shopSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 RedfaceSteve1990 Miller Dialarc 2501993 Miller Maxstar 140 STR2015 Lincoln MP2101966 Lincoln SA200 Redface
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomBidealarcs are just old and heavy design. more likely to get a hernia and bad back trying to move it far..new inverters at less than 20 lbs the power cable and welding cable extensions weigh more than the machine. true inverters work better with AC rod or low open circuit voltage rod like 6011 and 7018. i just think of it why use a 50 to 100 year old type of welding electrode. minds well use a newer type welding rod with newer welding machine. 6011 burns same as 6010 or i have not noticed a difference if you use a welding rod type made for the type of welding machine you have..i can remember having to run 200 feet of welding cable or get a crane to pick old fashioned welding machine up to roof or using a chainfall hoist. now i can carry inverter welding machine and 10ga 240volt power cord and reach just about anywhere easily