Who drags his 7018AC?

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I've read here and elsewhere many times of 7018, particularly 7018AC, which is what I use, being a "drag rod," to be in contact with the puddle and actually dragged across the metal. I've personally noticed that I get my best beads with 7018AC here on the farm by dragging it like 7014.  Sometimes when I start it, I'll long-arc it for a second or two to heat it up and get a little puddle started, then drop it down to the puddle and start dragging.Seems like I have the best results with 1/8" at about 125 amps, and 3/32 at about 75-80.  Does anybody else have this experience? Who else "drags" his 7018?-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:7018 can be run as a drag rod if your amps are high enough to give you the heat you need. 125 amps is usually in the ball park for most 7018 rods so you can drag them. It's a good way to learn and we often have students do this at the start.Most good welders will carry an arc however once they learn the basics. This will allow you more control over the puddle. If you need more heat to burn thru a tight spot in poor fit up, you can increase your arc length to help melt more material. On the other hand if you have a bigger gap and you need less heat, you can stuff the rod down tight and cool the bead a bit so you don't burn thru as much..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:Originally Posted by DSWIf you need more heat to burn thru a tight spot in poor fit up, you can increase your arc length to help melt more material. On the other hand if you have a bigger gap and you need less heat, you can stuff the rod down tight and cool the bead a bit so you don't burn thru as much.
Reply:Try dragging it uphill!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I like to drag mine and keep a "tight" arc.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW7018 can be run as a drag rod if your amps are high enough to give you the heat you need. 125 amps is usually in the ball park for most 7018 rods so you can drag them.