Stick Electrode Holder wear and tear

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I seem to have a problem with the stick electrode holder eroding away the copper/brass electrode so that after a while the stick is not held very firmly.  I have not been able to find replacement parts so have replaced the holder.As part of an explanation I will admit I do stick an electrode more than I would like and I am certain that contributes a lot to the erosion.Maybe I expect the holder to last longer than I should, but it seems to me that I am causing excessive wear and tear.  How long should I expect it to last.  Time is relative to how much use so maybe amount of rod in lbs is a good way to measure.  Either way I don't like replacing the holder and yet I still have to do it.Comments/Suggestions
Reply:this is a duro type electrode holder. it's over 30 years old. as you can see the cable is shot. inside the handle is a hex wrench for removing/replacing the lead. well balanced and made to last. Attached Imagesi.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:You can buy a Duro and a few extra sets of jaws at most any REAL welding supply.just get a 250.Normal people  never even approach that. If all you have local is HF/HD/ACE/NT/McD/BK/'loze........, order online.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:i got about 2 years till i retire. i figure this holder will out last me.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Duro for me along with a Bernard Short Stub , any Tweco or Jackson is a sheet metal ground clamp.
Reply:Its not you brother. In the last year at work i couldnt tell you how many ive gone through. Ive never never ever had to replace one because of the jaws until recently. Now! Some within 2 weeks! I use the bottom flat spots on the jaws when theyre all wiped out. It really is b/s and they are brand name companies failing in short order right out of the box. Some cheap azz alloy junk theyre using to save money and sell you a triple lifetimes worth in six months. Im glad you brought this up cause its complete bullshlt and a pain in the balls to work around when your twisted like a pretzel upside down and your electrode is pointing at your belly button or worse not even there anymore. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:You guys are just expecting to much out of those 6-year old Chinese kids! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:No expert here but could you shim the jaws closer together with small washers and longer bolts?
Reply:It always seems they are worn in the same spot. When I was a yougin a old guy showed me how he would adjust to the problem. SOLUTION, you stick the rod in the end of stinger, straight in. Now the rod is on the same plane as the stinger. THEN bend rod down to your desired angle. We ALWAYS had pieces of shlt worn out holders. Try it.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1It always seems they are worn in the same spot. When I was a yougin a old guy showed me how he would adjust to the problem. SOLUTION, you stick the rod in the end of stinger, straight in. Now the rod is on the same plane as the stinger. THEN bend rod down to your desired angle. We ALWAYS had pieces of shlt worn out holders. Try it.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeBob these new ones are wiped out in two weeks when used every day. Teeth are gone, no grooves left anywhere. If you look at it from the side the opening looks like a football. And not to mention the springs melt and fall right out of them sometimes before the jaws go. My job buys from a few different vendors, but Tweco, Lenco whoever, it don't matter, same results. This just recently came out of nowhere. Sucks man.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Did you guys try the JACKSONS ? Here ,just for reference  http://www.amazon.com/Jackson-14683-.../dp/B0013GC7XIDo you have your own personal stinger that you carry with you ? I got tired of the same shlt so made up my own with a lug on the cable end that would fit inside THEIR stinger.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeNah Bob, different story if I was by myself, but I work with a few other welders and always whippin leads around obstacles, so that wouldn't work either. I just constantly order new ones which sux. But it is what it is.
Reply:Do you have your own personal stinger that you carry with you ? I got tired of the same shlt so made up my own with a lug on the cable end that would fit inside THEIR stinger.
Reply:I like it.I've worn out too many twecos to count....~John
Reply:Buy the Duros and you will never need another rod holder again. My oldest is 34 years old and I still use it eery day. There are no springs in it to get weak or burn up. The jaws are the springs. You can put a rod in it and easily move it to a different angle but you can't pull it out. One of the best buys for my money on any piece of equipmeant.
Reply:DUROS , http://www.amazon.com/Duro-Holders-0.../dp/B004FCHBUG
Reply:Just buy a Lincoln T-300 and be done with it.  Or a Stinger V (never used one yet, but have heard nothing but good, except for flipping the stub in the bucket)-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeBob these new ones are wiped out in two weeks when used every day. Teeth are gone, no grooves left anywhere. If you look at it from the side the opening looks like a football. And not to mention the springs melt and fall right out of them sometimes before the jaws go. My job buys from a few different vendors, but Tweco, Lenco whoever, it don't matter, same results. This just recently came out of nowhere. Sucks man.
Reply:Mine is 33 years old and still going strong. I forget what brand it is. I have noticed nothing new lasts anymore.  To much cost cutting and outsourcing.  I swear even the quality of food is going down. Tires dry rot much faster then they used to. I am told this is because of a chemical added to the rubber that makes them dry rot within 5 years. I'm really starting to get fed up with everything going on in the world1982 miller blue star 2E ac/dcHarbor freight flux core posVictor oa
Reply:If you buy Tweco's  or Lincoln pipeline holders and maintain them they will serve well. It pays to have a very small round file to tune up the grooves.But when they're gone they're gone. The holder is your main electrical contact. Not a place to scrimp. Keep the buckshot off and the contact area clean and bright and they will work.JTElectrode holders are a consumable, if you weld hard they will reach the end of thier lifespan. Then you replace them.
Reply:I was just talking with my dad about this tonight. I've been having this problem for a couple of months. I've been noticing that the rods I've been getting seem to have too much flux on the end where you clamp it. Some of them only have about 1/2" of bare rod to clamp to. I realized this when I kept seeing it arc at the clamp when I'd light up. Lincoln Excalibur 1/8 7018 is what I've been using so I'm gonna get some Hobart next time and see if they're better.I agree with BD1 stick it in the end and bend it. It's more comfortable for me.Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanDuro for me along with a Bernard Short Stub , any Tweco or Jackson is a sheet metal ground clamp.
Reply:Well it is certainly good to see that this is not just a problem that I have been having.   I posted this thread as I wondered if it was just me.  Now I know it is a problem that a lot of folks have been encountering.  I will try the Duro style and see how long it lasts.  Being of the "new" variety I suspect it will not be as good as the older ones that some have talked about but anything is better that what I have been running into as of late.