7018AC storage

[fhipp591]

Do i have to store 7018AC in a oven like 7018

 

[groundcover]

If you have an oven put it in , otherwise one of the plastic storage cans helps. Don’t buy a huge amount and if you have a critical project get some fresh rod, cheaper than runnian oven !

 

[searcyfarms]

ive never had good luck with 7018AC my machine hates them, I get 7014 they run like a dream and I leave them in the plastic Hobart box they come in from tractor supply and never have a bit of trouble with them. my machine is only AC and they wont stay lit, I gave up on them long ago.

 

[rankrank1]

Yes you will want to store 7018AC in an oven just like 7018 if you desire the welding properties that the rod is capable of. 7018AC has a similar flux on it that 7018 does. The 7018AC has an iron powder added to the flux in an effort to help keep the rod lit on an AC machine. 7018AC has slightly easer arc strikes as well as slightly easier re-strikes on a partially used rod due to the iron powder addition even if you choose to use it on a DC machine.

Both 7018 or 7018AC fluxes are prone to drawing moisture if not stored as required which means in an oven. Not saying you can not weld with either of them if you choose not to use the oven but not likely not as good as it otherwise could be if an oven is used.

 

[BMan2005]

Shield Arc did a test on here awhile back he shared. Old 7018 rod off his table still had a much stronger weld than 7014 with a impact break test. So I just keep 7018 in my rod tube and use it unless it’s critical welds I buy fresh just for that job. Just grab what 7018 you need from the tube and close it back, no worries.

 

[Big Barn]

My only comment is that 7018 rods out of an oven weld so much nicer than cold. IMO of course.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I found a used 350 # Phoenix rod oven when I bought my welding machine. I keep it on 350F year round. My shop is on a separate meter and mostly I just pay a minimum rate. The rod oven is well insulated so it doesn't take a lot of electricity to keep it hot once everything in it is up to temp.
If you don't use a lot of welding rods, they make 10# and 50# versions also that don't take a lot of energy to maintain.
A 7018 or any other iron powder rod (basically everything but cellulose coated ie 6010,6011) rods run better in a heated state. One thing you have to think about when not keeping your electrodes in a heated oven is rusting of the wire underneath the flux. This will cause lots of problems with porosity in addition to the moisture causing hydrogen embrittlement of the weld which usually results in catastrophic failure of the weld. Hydrogen embrittlement cant be detected by the naked eye so it can be a very dangerous situation to have on a load sensitive weld.

 

[yomax4]

I found a used 350 # Phoenix rod oven when I bought my welding machine. I keep it on 350F year round. My shop is on a separate meter and mostly I just pay a minimum rate. The rod oven is well insulated so it doesn't take a lot of electricity to keep it hot once everything in it is up to temp.
If you don't use a lot of welding rods, they make 10# and 50# versions also that don't take a lot of energy to maintain.
A 7018 or any other iron powder rod (basically everything but cellulose coated ie 6010,6011) rods run better in a heated state. One thing you have to think about when not keeping your electrodes in a heated oven is rusting of the wire underneath the flux. This will cause lots of problems with porosity in addition to the moisture causing hydrogen embrittlement of the weld which usually results in catastrophic failure of the weld. Hydrogen embrittlement cant be detected by the naked eye so it can be a very dangerous situation to have on a load sensitive weld.

I learned something from this. Rust under the flux. I would have never considered that. ( not a stick guy but it's fun to run )

 

[fhipp591]

Thanks it came in a plastic container so Ill keep it in that
It is in a temp controlled room
I dont weld critical type welding so hopefully itll keep ok for a couple years tell i need it again
Mostly i do 10 gauge or thinner stuff so I use a lot more 6013 - 7014
The 7014 seams to weld most stuff the best
On my old AC welder
I use 6011 if I cant clean surfaces up perfectly
Thanks again

 

[Big Barn]

Thanks it came in a plastic container so Ill keep it in that
It is in a temp controlled room
I dont weld critical type welding so hopefully itll keep ok for a couple years tell i need it again
Mostly i do 10 gauge or thinner stuff so I use a lot more 6013 - 7014
The 7014 seams to weld most stuff the best
On my old AC welder
I use 6011 if I cant clean surfaces up perfectly
Thanks again

An old AC welder was all I had on the farm. Used 6013 and 6011 also. I didn’t even know about 7018 -AC or otherwise. No internet for misinformation back then and didn’t know any weldors to teach me. Just a socially inept farmboy LOL.