Any opinions about Esab E6010?

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I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with recent batches of Esab E6010. The school I attend was using Lincoln electrode but recently switched to Esab because its cheaper. Its grey and has 6010 marked on the rod twice. We use Miller XMT 304s and Phoenix power sources on 3 Ph. so I don't think the welder or current is the issue. The rod sticks like crazy unless you bump it up about 10 amps. I was running the Lincoln rod around 85 on root passes and it ran great. Even running the Esab at 95 I'll get unstable arc problems and it will stick about half of the time when running a square groove root. Also, this Esab rod seems like it has really bad arc blow problems about halfway through the rod. I have started just changing the rod after a little more than half-way which seems really wasteful.I figure its good practice to get comfortable with different electrode brands because I won't always be able to run the consumables that I prefer on a job. But this stuff seems to be a real challenge.Is it just me? I've heard others at the school complaining about the same problems.E
Reply:Hey, differences exist all over.For my test I just took my favourite 7018 Lincoln Excaliber rods in a brand new can.  It runs well; below, at, and above optimum amperage.  Bead is a nice silver/gold colour.  No issues.This way I avoided Air Liquide 7018 rods.  They need to run hot, well above optimum amperage or -- Typical "starburst" cracking at your stops and restarts.  Bead is blue (like in overheated metal.)I know I haven't answered specifically to 6010 issues but my point is that there are differences that you can detect.Last edited by Nitesky; 04-11-2011 at 08:04 AM.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:ESAB advertised that you could receive a sample of their 7018  making claim as to how good it performs. They called me asking what rod I was currently using. Told em Lincoln Excaliber.Never received any of their sample rod, or even a call back. Pretty hard to beat Lincoln Electric products, and their great customer service.
Reply:We just got those ESAB 7018 and they ran like garbage, I dont know what it was but I couldn't get the puddle to follow. I think I will try them again today and take pictures and post, you won't like the results.
Reply:Are you guys talkig about the new ESAB Atom Arc 7018 Acclaim?You can go to this link and request a free sample. http://www.esabna.com/7018/After you run some of it, go back to the website and give your opinion. They'll send you a nice pair of safety glasses for free as well.I think it's great product, especially out-of-position.Welding is my hobby, I just happen to get paid for it!
Reply:Each rod has its different caracteristics.I really like ESAB ok55 7018 myself. Welded a fair bit of pipe with the ok55.The ESAB ok55 and Air Liquide blusehield are my 7018 rods of choice. Thats what work buys and what I buy.For 6010, the only rod I will use is Lincoln fleetweld 5P+JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Signed up for sample about 2 months ago now.  No sample came yet.  No communication either.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:I signed up for a 7018 sample sometime last week; I heard from ESAB on Friday.  I answered them truthfully on Friday, but inspite of my answers; they responded and will be shipping me a sample.If I am active, I burn a total of about two pounds of various rods in a month.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by Carolina WelderAre you guys talkig about the new ESAB Atom Arc 7018 Acclaim?You can go to this link and request a free sample. http://www.esabna.com/7018/After you run some of it, go back to the website and give your opinion. They'll send you a nice pair of safety glasses for free as well.I think it's great product, especially out-of-position.
Reply:Okay I ran the 7018 again and I actually liked it this time. Must of had a bad day that day.
Reply:I have quite a few esab brand rods we won at a contest. I will pull them out and run some, then post the results.
Reply:Reverse polarity, what part of Ohio are you in?  If you send me a private message with your address I'll make sure you get a sample.Nitesky, private message me your info as well.Welding_Swede,As far as the 6010 goes, you have to be careful because good 6010 rods should have some moisture content in the flux coating.  Based on your comment about the arc becoming unstable about half way through the rod, I would say you may have some older rods (the flux is drying out as you are welding). Just for my curiosity, dip the rod in water for about 10 seconds and see if it runs better.  If so, the moisture content of the rod isn't correct.  Lincoln's 6010 products are good but I understand your school changing because Lincoln charges a pretty penny for them and if your school is like the ones in my area they have tiny budgets.Welding is my hobby, I just happen to get paid for it!
Reply:LECO 5P and 5P+ has been the standard.  That's all most people weld with on pipe.  I have ran ours and yes, it is a bit more touchy, and the moisture will leave our rods faster than the LECO.  There must be moisture in the rod for them to work properly.  If they rod is stubbing out halfway through, then the moisture is wrong.  THe arc blow is caused by off center core wire.  Means the solid wire is not centered with the flux.  It will cause finger nailing, which often looks like arc blow.  It gets very bad on vertical ups if that happens.  Make sure that the rods are not kept in an oven, keep them in the open.  As always we are working at improvements and trying to deliver quality products to the customers.  INfact, if you haven't heard, we are moving one of our manufacuting facilities to Union, SC.  It will be our new home for Solid wire Mig and subarc wire.  State of the art facility.  if you want you can go to esabna.com to check it out.But as far as the 6010 goes.  Do a vertical down, around 90 amps (1/8) stay on the leading edge of the puddle and it should weld fine.  If not, then there is a moisture problem.
Reply:We stuck with Lincoln for training because it's so common in the field, but (surprisingly) cheap Radnor 6010 ran quite nicely.
Reply:I have to whole-heart-idly disagree, Radnor 6010 sucks out loud...Ive been tapping into my personal stock of 5P+ for root passes on our current job. The Radnor 7018 is ok though...I have heard some conflicting stories about ESAB rod. Never burned it myself. LWS sells Atom Arc to a competitor of ours, a quality well-staffed competitor. So if they're burning through 50 lbers like pop-corn, it must be good rod...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120