Rod Storage

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Ok now I was told that 6010's 6011's& 6013 need some mositure to preform right,I guess first off is this true and how do you achieve that. I always kept them in oven at about 150 - 200 degrees.1990 SA 200Miller 225  Rip Miller302Miller 135Lincoln 200 MigHypertherm 600 PlasmaPlasma Cam Cutting TableMikita Cold SawJL Welding Tx . com
Reply:if the rod ends in a 5,6,or 8 I believe it is a low hydrogen rod, and needs to be in an oven. Other than that I wouldnt intentionally expose a rod to moisture, but on the rods you mentioned it shouldnt be as critical. Also on the harder and quenched steels it is very imprortant that the moisture content is low to prevent hydrogen induced cracking.Last edited by pilebuck; 03-22-2010 at 10:58 PM.2011 Dodge 3500 diesel duallyLincoln SA-200Lincoln SAE-300LN-25'sLincoln Idealarc R3RMiller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Yes, cellulose electrodes need some moisture, but not too much.  Keep them in a sealed container at room temp.  I use plastic or metal tubes with screw caps.  Phoenix and a bunch of other companies make them, and they're cheap.Here's a chart for electrode storage and reconditioning.  http://www.hobartbrothers.com/pdf/su...rage_Chart.pdfI can't say if Lincoln, ESAB, or any of the others recommend the exact same time/temps.  But I don't imagine they'd vary too much from one manufacturer to another. Originally Posted by JLWeldingOk now I was told that 6010's 6011's& 6013 need some mositure to preform right,I guess first off is this true and how do you achieve that. I always kept them in oven at about 150 - 200 degrees.
Reply:I have had good results storing non-low hydrogen rods(including non-ferrous rods) between 90- 120°F, they seem to strike easier and run smoother, but I do not have any data to prove it. Low hydrogen coated rods, which includes the stainless steel, as listed above that ends with a 5,6 or 8 need to be kept above 250°F for optium results.
Reply:This may be a dumb question.... But, say I purchase a 5# set of 7018, open it up, and use a few rods. Could I toss them in the home oven at 250-350 for two to four hours then throw them in an o-ring sealed container w/ some sort of moisture powder and keep them stored like that?Take into consideration that I'm 4-5 blocks from the pacific ocean here and on a good day it's 65*F and sunny, average day is 54* and overcast/foggy...
Reply:Crawford, it all depends on what you are doing. For code work, the answer is no. If I wanted to keep them a couple of days to a few short weeks, I'd put them in a sealed ammo can with desicant or a sealed tube. Anything over a month, I'd get new rods if it was important. I usually figure on just getting new rods for most stuff with 7018. I don't use enough to warrant storage. I usually open the sealed box, take out what I need and put the rest in a sealed tube until I use up what I pulled out. For most non code stuff it works well unless it's super wet. I also try and keep the rods in the house in the spring/fall, when things tend to sweat in the garage. I have one tube of "old" rods that I let people play with learning or practice, or for use getting the machine set up right to start..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:Cellulose coated rods are optimum with a moisture content between 3-7%When they are too dry the coating tends to "finger nail" or melt off in an uneven manner making the arc difficult to control...similar to arc blow. if they are too wet you may have the same thing as well as a risk of hydrogen induced cracking of the weld.cheers!Tim
Reply:Go to your electrode manufacturers web page they will have specific instructions for all of thier products and will happily send you a catalog with this info ,any low hydo electrode must be stored in an oven once the seal on the can is broken 6 hours is about all you get before you have to return it to the oven all electrode makers will stipulate reconditioning the electrode once but that will also be in the catalog ,thats going to be rebaking them @ a higher temp then most warmers provide. 10 electrode is not going to need to be reconditioned just keep it in cool dry place. Now that being said I have been in boilers using low hydro electrodes that were not stored properly ever and all those welds passed visual and x-ray with no problems. I store all my 18 electrodes in an oven.
Reply:All of the info, above, has good info in it.  I store most of my rods (depending on if it is coded work, or not) in an ammo can with a desiccant bag.  If the Rods are Low-Hy, I will store them after pulling from the Rod oven or Kitchen oven.There is another thread where this is discussed, thoroughly.  If I can find the thread, I'll put it on here.I have a few, (a few too many ) plastic tubes that I use, too.-Rhyno07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Here is the link.  It is titled differently, but still has a lot of good suggestions.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38768-Rhyno07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....