Ugly beads, critics welcome...

[Shield Arc]

On a happy note, I just ordered a PowerArc 200ST from Mark :drink:

Oh you will love it.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
That welder does really well with ESAB's 10P-Plus 6010!

 

[GManBart]

Oh you will love it.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
That welder does really well with ESAB's 10P-Plus 6010!

I'm really looking forward to it! So far no luck finding ESAB locally, but I'm going to keep looking. If not, I can always order it online....now if only Amazon carried it!

 

[Shield Arc]

Your local Air Gas, or Praxair welding supply should carry them, if not they can order them in for you.

 

[Looking4new]

The problem there is I don't have a heated rod box to store 50lbs of 7018. I can buy a bunch of 6010 or 6011, keep it in a dry environment and it'll will be good for a long time. If I go that way I also save a little bit by buying in bulk. I can then buy smaller amounts of 7018 as I need it, and not have to worry as much about storage issues.

If you have an old refrigerator that the compressor is fried in, rewire it so the light stays on all the time. A 40 watt fridge bulb should keep your rods dry as long as you keep the door shut.

 

[bigdeano]

Try some 7014. It will probably become your favorite rod. No special requirements to keep it dry.

 

[murphy1244]

That's sort of what my plan is, in a way. I figured I'd get a decent amount of 6010 then just plan to buy smaller 5-10lb boxes of the 7018. It's extremely humid here for much of the year, and even keeping them reasonably dry is going to be a problem until I get the heat/AC finished in my shop. I've read so many different opinions on how dry 7018 needs to be that I figured I'd just err on the side of caution.

I would be willing to bet you have a gun safe with a dehumidifier in it. Try that.

 

[GManBart]

Your local Air Gas, or Praxair welding supply should carry them, if not they can order them in for you.

I think there's a local Air Gas, and I plan to give them a call...worth a shot!

 

[GManBart]

Try some 7014. It will probably become your favorite rod. No special requirements to keep it dry.

It's on the list!

 

[GManBart]

I would be willing to bet you have a gun safe with a dehumidifier in it. Try that.

I actually put the two 5lb boxes of 7018 I have in it already! I run a glow rod as well as two desiccant boxes, so it should be pretty dry. Unfortunately, it's in the house, and all the welding is over at the barn/shop so I have to lug the rod over there when I want to use it. Once I get the shop climate controlled I'll figure something better out.

 

[Shield Arc]

Unless you're doing code welding work, I wouldn't worry too much about not having a rod oven. Sure 7018 runs so nice right out of the oven! But it's not a perfect world.
Here check out this thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/270296-wet-7018-a.html?highlight=