6013 vs 7014 vs 7018

[deereman75]

I'll be the one to throw in an unpopular opinion.... For farm welding I'm really a fan of the specialty maintance rods... ArcTec, Cronatron, Sodel, ect
I run ArcTec typically... 223xc is like a 7018 but 85ksi and roughly 6% better elongation than 7018. And it's moisture repellent is good for 2-3 years out of an oven. And runs nicer than any 7018.
222 is intended for "unskilled welders" 80,000psi and a literal monkey could run it. 221rp is along the lines of 6010/6011 but again stronger and more ductile.

Is it for everything? No.... Is it expensive? Of course. Would a fabrication shop run these rods? Of course not.

But if you're doing heavy equipment repair where down time is $2-300 an hour or if you're someone who burns a box or two of rods a year, is spending an extra $25 a box really a big deal if it makes your life easier?

 

[pmsmechanic]

I'll be the one to throw in an unpopular opinion.... For farm welding I'm really a fan of the specialty maintance rods... ArcTec, Cronatron, Sodel, ect
I run ArcTec typically... 223xc is like a 7018 but 85ksi and roughly 6% better elongation than 7018. And it's moisture repellent is good for 2-3 years out of an oven. And runs nicer than any 7018.
222 is intended for "unskilled welders" 80,000psi and a literal monkey could run it. 221rp is along the lines of 6010/6011 but again stronger and more ductile.

Is it for everything? No.... Is it expensive? Of course. Would a fabrication shop run these rods? Of course not.

But if you're doing heavy equipment repair where down time is $2-300 an hour or if you're someone who burns a box or two of rods a year, is spending an extra $25 a box really a big deal if it makes your life easier?

I keep a box of 223's around for welding cast iron. They are not easier to strike than a 7018AC but definatly easier than a 7018.

 

[deereman75]

I'm not really crazy about them for cast... My preference is still brazing having done hundreds of cast repairs. Gas welding a close second.
Dedicated cast rod like supercast 90 a distant third...

Cast steel though 223xc is GREAT. I originally got onto them for welding cast steel clevis ends onto 1045 hydraulic rods. But between the general nicer running and the not needing an oven, I just switched entirely to them from 7018. Well almost entirely. I still keep 7018 around but rarely use them.

I've never really had an issue with 7018 restrikes. I tend to whip the rod away fast when I break the arc, and that ball of slag flies off in the process. Just run your finger over the end to break the crust off and it restarts like a new rod

 

[Oldpath05]

I never heard of 222 223 rods. I got to many pin holes with 7018 AC so I dont use them.

 

[deereman75]

I never heard of 222 223 rods. I got to many pin holes with 7018 AC so I dont use them.

They're ArcTec proprietary rods, not sure how easy they are to find south of the border... Companies such as Weldmold, Cronatron, harris welco, ect may make similar
I know for example ArcTec Unicrom is roughly equivalent to Harris Super Missileweld

 

[Ortimber]

At home, 90% of what I weld with is 6011, just because of paint and rust, and it is not like the weld is going to break. Goodness, have you ever tacked something together wrong and then tried to take it apart? It is plenty strong.

If I want something better than 6011, then I grab 7018. Those are the only two types of rods I keep around the farm though.

Similar to me. I've welded with every rod imaginable, and now only have 6010 and 7018 on hand. That combination works great for everything but really thin metal.

 

[Oldpath05]

They're ArcTec proprietary rods, not sure how easy they are to find south of the border... Companies such as Weldmold, Cronatron, harris welco, ect may make similar
I know for example ArcTec Unicrom is roughly equivalent to Harris Super Missileweld

Not easy at all, as far as I get is Artec web site and on there they say those rods are for cast iron........

 

[deereman75]

Definitely not for cast iron, perhaps you're looking at one of their other products?

Not easy at all, as far as I get is Artec web site and on there they say those rods are for cast iron........

 

[Oldpath05]

:thumbsup: Yup your right, I must of got it mixed up with wrong headline........

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:

ARCTEC 222 is a specially developed all position low alloy steel electrode for fabrication and
maintenance work. It produces smooth, spatter free welds with either AC or DC equipment. Can be used as a
contact electrode. Easy slag removal guarantees a minimum of clean up and finishing. Has excellent welding
characteristics in all positions and produces sound crack free deposits.
APPLICATIONS:
ARCTEC 222 is recommended for general maintenance and repair welding as it produces welds that
are virtually spatter free. Excellent for welding thin gauge sheet metal without slag interference. ARCTEC 222
is used on: Ornamental iron components, railings, furniture, galvanized sheet metal, thin gauge steel, vehicle
exhaust systems and other applications where a clean surface for painting is required.

 

[deereman75]

Their website is not exactly easy to navigate....
One of those old school companies where if you want their product you phone a sales rep and talk about what you're doing and what you'd be looking for.

Best comparisons I can think of would be 222 is similar to an 8014 but a bit more forgiving and nicer to run

223xc is somewhere between 8018 and 9018, but has better elongation, is nicer to run and doesn't require an oven

221rp is like what a bit more forgiving and nicer to run 7011 would be.

Other rod I'd say that I actually quite like for some things are these lincoln 7013 who's name is escaping me at the moment. I often use them for outside work that would otherwise be done with mig. No real reason to prefer them over 7014 that I can think of though.....