Exploding 7018

admin

So the last few jobs I have done I have ran into a intermittent issue. Here is the background Miller Trailblazer 302 1/8 7018 (atom arc & inweld) running 125 to 135 amp. The issue is that when after the rod is about half gone it acts like someone cranks the amps to about 180. It goes from a nice smooth buttery arc to beebes exploding everywhere and then almost seems to long arc but it melts the crap out of the base metal. There is no real stopping it when it starts to happen. I've tried changing my rod angle the only thing that seems to help a little is to really force the rod into the puddle to cool it and I'm talking with enough pressure to sometimes bend the electrode. I have to tried 6010 to see if it happens to it as well. I don't think it is the rod but all the same I'm going to run them through the oven and try again. The are always stored in a dry place. Im not super religious about storing them in a oven as a open box doesn't usually last long. Any thoughts would be helpful.Thanks for the input -Keaton
Reply:to me it sounds more like a machine issue than the rodsmaybe some joker behind you jamming a live rod into your lead connection
Reply:My first guess would be wet rods.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Rods got wet, or slightly bent, or something happened to them. Once it reaches that point in the rod the flux pops off, or the moisture comes out. I'd just pitch them and get new rod
Reply:Thanks for the input guys. I'm hoping that is all it is. My other machines never had such a violent reaction to wet rods. But in fairness I haven't own the TB all that long I had a bobcat before but didn't react the same to wet rods. Any how I'll keep ya posted feeder shop work for the next few days than back to the TB Thursday with some new rod."I know all my stick machines have different reactions to different things and some like certain brand rods over others"Thank again-Keaton
Reply:If you can, try some of the rods in question on another machine to see how they run  on it. That may tell you if it's the rods or the Trailblazer with a problem, since you have not had the TB long.
Reply:ive had similar problem with a pipe worx machine with rods right out of oven
Reply:Do as Bistineau said to determine if it's the rods or the machine. If it seems to be the TB, have a helper with a clamp-on ammeter (capable of measuring DC amps) watch the current while you weld.If the current does, in fact, jump up the first things I would suspect are 1) the Hall sensor / current transformer or 2) loose connections at the output studs.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps