Welding with old, unsealed rod

admin

Hey guys,I was out doing a job today and I blasted through the 10 pound boxes of 7018 that I had brought.I had a half empty 50lb box of Excaliber 7018, that was god knows how old, kinda had a powdery feel to it. It ran OK, had a few spots of porosity that I had to grind out and reweld (might have been due to the rust spotted base material), but other than that is was alright.Does anyone have any knowledge on running old rod? is that rod ok to use on more critical parts? my gut tells me no but there is like 35lb of unused rodin any event, it'll get used on something, just me being curious!Miller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Low hydrogen rod needs to be dry.   4 hrs I believe is code for 7018 after being removed from sealed package or oven.   That ole rod needs to be left in a rod oven overnight  most other rods it's not an issueLast edited by soutthpaw; 11-29-2014 at 09:25 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawLow hydrogen rod needs to be dry.   4 hrs I believe is code for 7018 after being removed from seedless package or oven.   That ole rod needs to be left in a rod oven overnight  most other rods it's not an issue
Reply:id be afraid of it.   maybe save it for bar b cues or for fixing old ladies chairs
Reply:i'm using cans of 7018 that were delivered to my shop in 2003. when i open the sealed containers i put the rods in the oven. they burn just fine.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weldid be afraid of it.   maybe save it for bar b cues or for fixing old ladies chairs
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian Duffinforgive me if this is a pretty simple question...but seedless? what does that mean? and thats for code quality, for welding on bits and bobs its ok? (read: I dont own a rod oven)
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinThe rods I used today were the finishing touches on a plate in a horse trailer, it would be sound if there were NO welds on there (sitting on the frame and all) but it got the job done, and all the welds I layed down looked just the same as the ones from the new box haha
Reply:Cellulose flux has some water to work. Low hydrogen __18 is compromised by the hydrogen it leaves behind in the weld if it has been allowed to contact air. Howard at the mill is the best I've seen, he throws it away at lunch and opens a sealed box. Is it worse than 6010? I don't know. Rod ovens are expensive, and use lots of energy. Small containers of 7018, or MIG seem good.Last edited by Willie B; 11-29-2014 at 09:42 PM.
Reply:I'm sure you've thought of this; I know of a jerk who lost two of six horses when his rusted out floor in a six place trailer failed. It was horrible, he drove some distance before discovering it had happened. Makes me shiver thinking of it. Those horses suffered horribly!
Reply:It was a floor pan that was sitting forward of where the horses stand, its sole purpose is to stop **** from coming off the road and into the trailer, it really wasnt that big a deal, and it was better than the old one, i ripped it off with my hand haha! and willy, that is such an awful thing, were they dragged?Miller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Yes, a long way, the horses were in a bad way by the time he discovered it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BYes, a long way, the horses were in a bad way by the time he discovered it.
Reply:Ian 7018 does not like corroded metal ...like mig it don't like it...when confronted with rusty metal run 6010 or 6011 ...I have used old 7018 all the time for non crit welds if it runs funny i put it in the oven at 400 for a few hours ....i do not have a hot box either...maybe one dayBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Ian 7018 does not like corroded metal ...like mig it don't like it...when confronted with rusty metal run 6010 or 6011 ...I have used old 7018 all the time for non crit welds if it runs funny i put it in the oven at 400 for a few hours ....i do not have a hot box either...maybe one day
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Ian 7018 does not like corroded metal ...like mig it don't like it...when confronted with rusty metal run 6010 or 6011 ...I have used old 7018 all the time for non crit welds if it runs funny i put it in the oven at 400 for a few hours ....i do not have a hot box either...maybe one day
Reply:I have an old refrigerator, not working and the light staying on. With a 100 watt bulb on continuous, I can hardly grab rods with my bare hands.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawIf I ever come across another one at auction cheap. I'll pick it up for you.  Got mine for about $50.  50lb Lenco.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinThe area i was welding on I had ground down the best i could with a hard wheel and a flap disk, it was alright, and correct, but I was unaware of the condition of the trailer, so I didnt pick up any 6011 (I know, having been a boy scout I always scold myself when I find myself not prepared)!!
Reply:If you're really worried about old rod, give it to a high school for practice rod.  I had quite a few large boxes that got moist, a school was shutting down it's programs due to lake of materials.  They tok them and dried them out.  They were fine for practice.
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11That cannot be helped sometimes Ian I run into cracks in equipment where it cannot be all gouged or ground out and the original dimensions must be maintained  So i will burn through it with the 6010 which will give you a clean root to layer your 7018 on top of6010 and 6011 are great tack up rods they fast freeze and they burn out corrosion and rust ....6010 is really better because of it's jetting action
Reply:Another good use for that old 7018 stuff is buildup in abrasion areas before a final pass or 2 of hardfacing. That's how I get rid of mine.
Reply:Arctec 223XC is a low hydrogen style rod, which is designed for being unsealed and not needing a rod oven. I have seen lots of portable rig welders using this rod for that reason.BIZ, Journeyman Welder, Mechanical Designer