Stick electrode questions

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I want to buy some 7018 electrodes.   3/32 and 1/8".I HATE Lincoln 7018AC.  I cannot see any puddle for the life of me.  Toss an Excalibur electrode in my holder on the same machine and the same amps and I see a clear puddle and slag.The Excalibur is hard to find and very pricey when you find it.I see Hobart, McKay and ESAB electrodes around for a reasonable price.I your opinions, how do these 7018 electrodes rate compared to Excalibur?Also, I see alot of ESAB 8018 and 9018 atom arc for sale for less than 7018. To the novice, it would appear that the higher strength rod should be even better than the 70 rod.  I'm wondering if this is a case of bigger not being better.  Are they stronger but less flexible or more crack prone?Thanks for the advice.  Not trying to cheap out, but if I can find just as good a rod for less, why not.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:My favorite rod is McKay 7018XLM. Esab Atom Arc is also as good as, if not better than, Excalibur. Hobart 418 ran nice, but I haven't used enough of it yet. Hobart does make "big farm store" packages of 7018, which are not 418. I would stay away from those or you might have the same problem. If you buy from a LWS, you should get the good stuff, but not always. Just my opinion....."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:MG's 7018 also has run nice for me, but it's not as easy to locate since my LWS stopped regularly stocking MG after they changed hands.As far as 8018, a lot of heavy equipment maintenance guys I know typically use that instead of 7018. Seems like for general misc welding projects it works just as good as 7018 and is a better match for the other work they do with abrasion resistant steels etc..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:It's been quite a while since I needed to buy new stick rod, so I can't really say. I generally don't do a ton of stick. I have a small trailer to add some wall supports to coming up as soon as I get some free time from the job I'm currently involved in. I'll have to do it all with stick since chances are I won't be able to use my mig where it's located.Tentative plan right now is to either buy a can of Excalibur or a box of MG depending on what they have on hand. I check pricing then..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:Lincoln Excalibur runs very nice but it does cost a bit more.I like Esab atom arc but I also like the Esab OK55 7018 as well. Both are a quality running 7018 rod.I'm not a fan so much of the Hobart 7018.I usually buy Air Liquide blueshield 7018-1-H4. It is lower cost and runs very niceJasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:my fav is esab . I found that esab cost a little more in my area. hobart well I ready dont like at all. mackay is ok  . If im spending my money rather have esab atom arc
Reply:MG rod is Messer.http://www.messerwelding.com/.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:ESAB Atom Arc Acclaim seems to work very well. My LWS had never heard of it when I stocked up. Had to buy it over the Internet.http://www.esabna.com/7018/
Reply:I've been using up some Airco EasyArc rods recently - very nice Dave J.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:Been running ESAB Atom arc 7018 H4R for years good rodI have not tried the acclaim rod yet Stay away from the hobart 7018 crap rodmy ex boss had bought a pallet with a bunch of 11018 / 9018 etc all lincoln rod at an auction all ran good never real noticed any difference used for doing most of his repair welding ..never re did any of those weldsBacked 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:I hate Excalibur, it dosent re strike for $hit and the flux falls off, but it does weld nice. ESAB Atom Arc is nice to run, but I like the Hobart 418 IN SEALED METAL TINS!!!!! There are different grades of Hobart wire, the crap you buy at Tractor Supply is not the same good USA made rod you buy in sealed tins from the welding supply.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I use the metal tin Hobart also and it runs great. Esab Atom Arc is what I learned on and is a good rod also. The tractor supply Hobart 7018 is decent but there is a learning curve to use it and not get slag inclusions. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2Hobart Stick mate LX AC/DCHarris O/A outfit
Reply:Another vote for Esab, stick and dual shield that is all I buy, If not in stock I order it never had a situation that i ran out I try and always keep some on hand.Syncrowave 180 SDMillermatic 250XSnap On MW 120 Econopac 50Victor O/A with some Smith Attachments 30 X 50 shop with a 400 Amps
Reply:Isn't 7018  Low Hy rod that  has to  be stored at 250F? Is it all that much better than 6010 or 6011 or 6013?Last edited by Raul; 05-02-2013 at 08:58 PM.Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by RaulIsn't 7018  Low Hy rod that  has to  be stored at 250F? Is it all that much better than 6010 or 6011 or 6013?
Reply:Depends... Yes for code work you would want to use rod that has been stored in an oven. However for some critical jobs, simply using new rod from a sealed can might be sufficient. For "lesser" projects 7018 stored with basic care like keeping it in an o-ring sealed container might be enough.As far as if 7018 is "better" than 6010/11, again it depends. A 70XX rod is stronger than a 60XX rod. However 7018 doesn't deal well with rust, oil and paint like 6010/11 can. It's also a poor choice for open root joints. On the other hand 7018 welds are usually "tougher" and tend to bend vs break like 6010/11 welds can. The big difference is the low hydrogen property of 7108 that can help prevent hydrogen cracking issues with higher strength steels often used today in structural and weight saving applications.You choose the rod to best suit the task at hand. Each rod has strong and weak points and you have to balance them when making a choice. In many cases the rods might overlap in some areas and in others some rods might be totally unacceptable..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:Originally Posted by DSWDepends... [...] For "lesser" projects 7018 stored with basic care like keeping it in an o-ring sealed container might be enough.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749If I'm not mistaken, Bruce Dalet used 8018 on that loader arms repair.Never heard of MG. How was the pricing on it?
Reply:Originally Posted by RaulWhat is it like to use if you took no precautions at all. left it around for a year or so and just picked some up and started to weld with it?
Reply:Originally Posted by RaulIsn't 7018  Low Hy rod that  has to  be stored at 250F? Is it all that much better than 6010 or 6011 or 6013?
Reply:7A749 - Cool chart Dave. I have an old Hobart electrode welding guide pocket booklet prolly as old as I am. Keep it handy & take it in my job bag if I'm on the road. Has a lot of useful info on rod & wire, heat settings, positions, you name it. Got it in a large lot of stuff I bought.I think Lincoln still has something similar. I have one of theirs too. The LWS had them. I don't remember paying anything for it.
Reply:So I bought a 50lb can of ESAB Atom Arc 1/8" 8018 for $73 shipped.   Think I did well.   I won't be needing rods for a while.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:That's a great deal, alright. Now invest some of the money you saved in some Rod Guard canisters. It's good to keep those rods as dry as possible.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Me too I can't even remember wiring sequences I've done hundreds of times. I usually gotta go back & double check just to be sure it's right.....You're a math teacher...... At least you're edjumakated.........
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedThat's a great deal, alright. Now invest some of the money you saved in some Rod Guard canisters. It's good to keep those rods as dry as possible.JohnOriginally Posted by Drf255Think I did well.
Reply:How does everyone feel about the Lincoln Jetweld LH-70?  My local store has a good deal on it, but I'd hate to buy 5 lbs just to find out I don't like it!
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Is it safe to toss some calcium chloride in a rod canister to keep the rods dry, or will it cause them to rot?
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedI don't think calcium chloride would be good for them. Most people use silica-gel packs, the kind that come with electronic equipment, etc.John
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255So I bought a 50lb can of ESAB Atom Arc 1/8" 8018 for $73 shipped.
Reply:Ebay auction.  There's lots of atom arc 8018 and 9018 for sale for less than 7018.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Ebay auction.  There's lots of atom arc 8018 and 9018 for sale for less than 7018.
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeLincoln Excalibur runs very nice but it does cost a bit more.I like Esab atom arc but I also like the Esab OK55 7018 as well. Both are a quality running 7018 rod.I'm not a fan so much of the Hobart 7018.I usually buy Air Liquide blueshield 7018-1-H4. It is lower cost and runs very nice
Reply:If you live in a damp rainy area like the Pacific Northwest That's a big area, and the climate varies wildly.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPAs long as about half of them aren't broken when you get it. You can tell how your day is going to be when you get the can, shake it!