Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR

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All, my question:  Is Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR the best "all around" welding rod for hobby and farm use?Thanks in advance for your replies.
Reply:Kind of a vague question. Excalibur is a wonderful rod to run, but it has some limitations. #1 it is a low hydrogen rod and moisture will cause it to run poorly if stored improperly. If kept in a sealed O ring tube it won't degrade as fast and will last a while for hobby work. I wouldn't trust older rods for critical use on equipment though. I'd just buy new rods to be safe. #2 is that 7018's don't deal well with dirt, rust, paint etc that often can come with farm equipment. I'd choose 6010/11 or 7010/8010 depending on what you needed to do. #3 If you have an AC stick machine you may find Excalibur may not run well.7108 Excalibur is probably my favorite rod, and I keep limited quantities on hand, usually left overs from a past job where I bought a new can. 7014 stores a bit better and is almost as strong. I like to keep that on the shelf for "emergencies" as occasionally I have to go weld with someones Ac stick machine. It welds really nice on AC machines something 7018's don't always do. It would be my #1 choice if I had an Ac only machine over 7018 of any type. I also keep 6010/11 on hand for those jobs it's best suited for. Building fences with rusty steel, Having to burn thru paint and rust to fix a mower deck and so on..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:Ok.  Got it.  I'm running a Dialarc 250 AC/DC.  I'm also working to build a good rod storage container/warmer to protect any new rods I buy.  I have free access to larger bags of silica-gel that I will put in my container with my new rods.  I do have a few pounds of 6010 and 6013 left over from when I was practicing with the different type rods but 7018 seemed to run easier on my hobby welding needs.I will post photos later this evening of the rod "warmer" I'm making with leftover scraps from behind my shop.  I'm not a PRO...I just take advice from you guys and try to implement those ideas / advice that I can reasonably do on my limited budget.Thanks again!
Reply:Sounds like you should be fine then. Between Excalibur and 6010/11 you should be good to go. I find 3/32" rods are good for lighter stuff and move to 1/8" rods for stuff say 3/16" and heavier..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:Excaliber is my fav 7018 to run.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:For those guys who really think it has to be fresh out of the can..............you might consider that "MR" means moisture resistant.  There's actually quite a bit of leeway when storing 7018 for most uses."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:How does Atom Arc 7018 compare to the Excaliburs?
Reply:I wondered what the MR meant!
Reply:Originally Posted by wannab1I wondered what the MR meant!
Reply:Who decides what's best? Just like the old Chevy, Ford, Dodge debate. Use what works the best for you.REAL TRUCKS DON'T HAVE SPARK PLUGS