old sticks

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I know this thread probably already exists but here we go..............A couple of years ago I bought nearly 250 lbs of 6011, 7018, & 7014 with about 2-3 lbs used out of each box for $25.  The two boxes of 6011 and one box of 7014 are in cardboard boxes, but the 7018 is in tins.  now I have no clue how long the stuff has been open, I realize it does not matter with the rod in the card board boxes, but is the rod still good?  I don't weld for a living so I can't see keeping it in a oven and heated all the time... it has taken me 2 years to go thru 10 lbs of 7018 (not the same rods).I know that I should keep in nice a dry (which I do an a shelf in the garage).  But is there a better way to store it?  Would a sealed container with a bunch of those dry packs be good?I have noticed a difference between the 7018 in the aforementioned tins and 7018 that I bought and keep in a sealed tube.  I would hate to throw it away if there is a way to save it.suggestions?remember I don't weld for a living so paying for a rod oven to run all the time isnt an option though ideal.
Reply:find an old refridgerator that still seals up put in a light switch and light bulb keep the light on its a cheap dehumidifier
Reply:a rod oven wont save it. some mfrs recommend that 7018  can be fixed but not in a rod oven, something like 700 F for a few hours..depending on how wet it got, that may notwork either.the refrig with light bulb may be a pertty good alternative to an oven, but i dont think the rod oven really uses that much more juice..( typical oven maybe 300 watts?...dollar  a day? )Last edited by weldbead; 11-08-2011 at 04:38 AM.
Reply:It depends on what you want to weld with it. I would use it for practice, building a snow plow for an atv or tractor, or for patches in a dump body. If I was going to build a lifting boom for my skid steer or a trailer or hitch, I would open a fresh can of 7018."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:Might be able to bake it out on a gas barbeque grill. Try a couple pounds and then see if they run better after the bake out.Nothing to lose but a bit of grill gas.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:I will try the BBQ idea. that is cheap.  the rod never got wet it just has been open for several years.Jim
Reply:I was taught to take a 7018 electrode (a random sample) and bend it in the middle so the coating cracks off, and if it's rusty it cannot be saved. If it isn't, then there is a procedure on the Lincoln web page to dry it out, basically about 5 hours at about 600°F as I recall. Still doesn't weld like new, but will work OK.The 6011 should be fine regardless. Not sure about the 7014 but I don't think it's a low-hydrogen rod so it shouldn't matter.FWIW I've done a boatload of noncritical welds with crummy 7018. Coating falling off in big chunks, sticking like crazy, but if I battle with it long enough I get decent welds, Might have hydrogen embrittlement but for noncritical welds who cares? Rod ain't cheap ..metalmagpie