Hobart 7018 AC

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Hey Y'all I'm lookin for opinions of TSC Hobart 7018 AC rod. I've been using Forney 7018ac with mixed results. Some of the flux is cracked and some falling off. This rod is always kept in the house and dry. I hope to have better luck with the Hobart. Those are my 2 choices around here within a decent driving distance and most of the time Sunday afternoons are the only time I can shop. We do have a Lowes and HD within an hour and I might see what they have next time I get a chance.
Reply:If you could get to a welding supply and get Lincoln or esab in sealed can you would be amazed I have used Hobart it is good but it is not shipped in air tight cans so it's always a little damp
Reply:At home I have used the TSC Hobart 7018 and 7018 AC in 3/32" and 1/8" and have had no problems.  I never specifically wanted the 7018 AC, it just happens that sometimes they will have only the AC variety and sometimes the plain ones.I really can't tell a difference between the AC version and the regular, but I'm welding DCEP and never weld with AC.
Reply:right now I only have AC stick welders.
Reply:The majority if 7018 out there will run on AC, even if its not called "7018AC".  This includes everything from Hobart and Lincoln, including Excalibur electrodes.   From what I understand, "7018AC" is design to run on cheap low-voltage machines (120V input...) and has a thicker, very different flux coating that usually leaves a heavier slag.   My favourite 7018 is Lincoln Jet-Weld LH-70, which leaves a relatively thin layer of glassy slag, that usually peels up all on its own, DC+ or AC.
Reply:I was informed that 7018 AC were for open root welding because they run colder. Just what ive heard though.
Reply:Originally Posted by edwelds99I was informed that 7018 AC were for open root welding because they run colder. Just what ive heard though.
Reply:And this is the reason I have always questioned these forums. You cant question something or have and opinion about something without someone having a attitude. Thought these places were for putting your two cents in and learning things not just bashing a person because of an idea or opinion. Im young and love to learn as long the person explaining it to me is understanding and open minded. I guess just surfing around and reading on here is the only thing the selected few expect you to do. Heaven forbid you have a abstract idea or opinion on something. If you haven't read about it on WeldingWeb before it must not be true.
Reply:Originally Posted by edwelds99And this is the reason I have always questioned these forums. You cant question something or have and opinion about something without someone having a attitude. Thought these places were for putting your two cents in and learning things not just bashing a person because of an idea or opinion. Im young and love to learn as long the person explaining it to me is understanding and open minded. I guess just surfing around and reading on here is the only thing the selected few expect you to do. Heaven forbid you have a abstract idea or opinion on something. If you haven't read about it on WeldingWeb before it must not be true.
Reply:Not trying to fuel any fires here, but I found this (paraphrased) in some Lincoln Electric literature.  They were not specifically explaining 7018 AC rods, but it was a general explanation of how some rods are "formulated for AC welders"."In North America, electricity alternates at a rate of sixty times per second or 60 hertz (while most other global regions produce electricity at 50 Hz) and this means that 120 times per second, the welding output crosses the centerline (of the sine wave), representing zero amperage or no output.  While this state of no output occurs for only a split second, the result is that with many electrodes, the arc tends to frequently “pop out” or extinguish on AC polarity.  To overcome this problem, some electrodes are designed specifically to operate on AC.  They have certain elements in their coating which help keep the arc ignited as the output goes through periods of low and no output"
Reply:The rod you want is Lincoln E7018 LHRH R= Resistant---to moisture.As you'll see: es para uso con corriente directa y corriente alterna(DC-AC) tambien !http://content.lincolnelectric.com/m...ld_lh78_rh.pdfBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)