New, worst rod to burn yet

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My brother was welding some none critical parts on a trailer with a metal deck,he only runs 7018 DC.He calls me and says his little Miller  thunderbolt is buzzing like the electrode is shorted.So while I open the welder and pull the diodes out, he runs into the LWS,20min till closing time and gets some AC rod.The only rod the LWS carried is Matheson welding rod.The stuff won't arc until you run 20amps higher than it should and will self extinguish ever inch or so.So I call my wife who is out of town, and ask her to bring back some Lincoln 7018 AC rod.She is buying a dog collar at a feed store and says they carry welding rod.Feed store welding rod ?The Lincoln rod she shows up with is in  little card board boxes with shrink wrap.The stuff burns great, and my brother uses the Lincoln rod for the next 2 hours.I had a look at the boxes of Matheson rod,there seems to be no manufacture date on it.The Lincoln rod dates were a surprise to me though. Attached Images
Reply:From looking at the photo, I believe that the date you see is the date that the MSDS on the box was written.
Reply:I would hope you will be returning the  Matheson  for full credit. As long as "we" keep acepting sub-standard materials............ the LWS will continue to stock it.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4dFrom looking at the photo, I believe that the date you see is the date that the MSDS on the box was written.
Reply:If it burns OK, it probably is. If you need to weld something critical, dry 'em first.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps