Airco 7018, I hate it.

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I hate it it is absoloute crap. A guy I do work for likes to buy his own wire, and consumables. No big deal, except for his supplier is Airgas. I did a job for him today and opened a brand new box of 5/32 7018. This stuff is bad, flux chipping off, won't stay lit, and porosity running amuck. I finished the job with my Hobart 418 and told him to never buy it again. Just my rant for the day.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:thanks for the heads up! lol63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:Radnor from Airgas proved to be the same JUNK!Unfortunately for me its what I learned on...fortunately for me I kicked a$$ immediately after changing rods.  Seems that learning with junk makes you learn how to control things just that much more!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:I know you're talking about regular arc rod but I must share with you. Just this morning I tossed two partially used rolls of .023 MIG wire in the garbage can. One was Radnor and the other was Forney. Neither one would run correctly......both of them went pop - pop - pop. I changed back to Lincoln and got the sizzle back again. Someone said that the Forney might be old....could be. The Radnor shouldn't have been. that means I can't go to Airgas for MIG wire because they push theyr Radnor stuff (made in Turkey for turkeys).The only places I've seen Forney sold is in hardware stores so it's usually pretty old and that may explain it.  Regardless, I'm not buying that or Radnor again. It's Lincoln or forget it.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I gotta find a good source soon.  Im getting ****ed at this Radnor junk.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Whats a good wire to run? Radnor is all my Airgas guy had when I bought my .030" and .023" wire. I was thinking of trying ESAB Easy Grind for auto body work.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26Whats a good wire to run? Radnor is all my Airgas guy had when I bought my .030" and .023" wire. I was thinking of trying ESAB Easy Grind for auto body work.
Reply:Solid wire.... I've had luck with Washington Alloys........ Not too bad on the price either, level wound as well._________________Chris
Reply:Lincoln L56 works good for me.   It would be nice to be able to get the Lincoln wire at Airgas in 12" rolls.   I buy the L56 in 8" rolls at Home Depot or Lowes.  Cost more to buy it that way, but it works good.  Same thing with the stick electrodes.  HD and Lowes both carry Lincoln Fleetweld, but only a small selection of types and diameters.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:For solid wire I like Lincoln, ESAB, and Hobart. I have never liked Airco products, and the other day sealed it for me with them. All Hobart brand consumables have been priced right and the quality has been second to none. As far as I know all Hobart rods, wire, flux, etc... are still made in the USA as well.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I have to say i never liked Radnor crap, wire or sticks.  All i use is Lincoln wire and McKay sticks (as of late).  I used to buy my sticks and wire at Home Depo, they always had it in stock and from my experience it was cheaper that at Airgas and HD doesn't charge the HASMAT fee.  Now i have an account at my local welding supply and i get a discount on stuff there, so thats were i go now.
Reply:Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretI gotta find a good source soon.  Im getting ****ed at this Radnor junk.
Reply:I really like Lincoln Fleetweld HR 7018 Rod.  Runs smooth as butter.  I have run other brands that were not butter, and more like dog crap.  I will only use lincoln now.
Reply:Yesterday my little brother had me weld up a few things on his truck, and smarty pants that he is, he somehow found some Lincoln 7018 rod (I think he bought it at Home Depot).  Anyhow, it ran great.  Nice, smooth, clean arc.Unfortunately, they sell it by the rod ($$$).  I'll order a pound to test for myself.  Between swapping welders and rod I've seen dramatic improvement in my final products.  Keep trying new things!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!