Dura-weld #106 rod

[D2Cat]

Been putting some fence up at my nephew's place and was looking for some rod for him to use. I had given him some 6010+ and was running low so wanted to get some others.

I found some 6011 and some dura-weld #106. It 1/8" rod and was in a sealed plastic bag. He started off using it and said he liked it. That it was easy to weld, and made a comment he must have improved his competency since last week!!

Well, I brought the bag in when I got home and looked it up on the internet. Some folks are selling it for $10 a stick on Amazon. I even emailed the seller and asked if I only got one stick for the $10. They responded saying I'm not getting all 218 sticks for that price!

Anyone familiar with this product? Must be "fools gold" sold only by traveling salesmen, and they must not give out samples to see if you like it.

 

[yomax4]

I'll do a little checking into this. It sounds like a similar rod to the JW Harris 83-88 rod or Weldcote 88-83 ( same rod ) 6011 style rod with 88K tensile.

Yes, It crosses to Weldcote 88-83 and sells for about $6-$7.00 #.

 

[stuckmotor]

If that's the same as Exergon 106, here's a thread with positive things to say.
X-ergon #106
Here's one with negative things.
Dura-weld Gold - where is it?

 

[yomax4]

Many of the "Wonder Rods" are outside of the current AWS spec. They often run great but have no AWS classifcation. This doesn't mean they are no good, Just outside of the spec. AWS spec's are old and often could be improved on but so far I haven't seen any major changes in them. I remember working with a company who makes giant rooftop air exchangers and they used 3/4" tubes that they brazed with low fuming bronze ( brazing rod ) with Speed Fluxers. They didn't like the Black soot that is usualy there with hot bronze brazing and the cleanup of the black was ongoing. We made them some rod that was just outside of the AWS spec and the Black was gone and the parts looked and worked great. Soon the end user found out about the non AWS spec rod and made them go back to standard LFB. Another good example is ESAB Easy Grind Mig wire. Great wire for body shops and thin material. It welds flat, Grinds like butter and looks great with nearly no spatter even on a transformer machine. It was a big hit with the GM body repair test and train facility in Chicago.The thing is that it has a lot of added Silicon to it that puts it outside the AWS spec so GM made them switch back to S6 and S3 wire. I still use it. MG 80T-AC is yet another. All of these are favorites of mine and definatly go to products but I would worry about liability using these for commercial type welding.

 

[D2Cat]

Thanks for the replies.

I was in a sporting mood, so I called X-Ergon this morning and talked to tech service. He told me it was a general maintenance welding rod, easy to use and was excellent on contaminated surfaces. Met or exceeded 6013. He switched me to sales so I could find out who sells it and cost.

I had to leave a number so the person covering this territory could respond. Got basically the same info. Comes in 5#, 10# and 15#. I asked him if he had it in 50# cans. His voice changed, he seemed elated someone would ask. I then asked him what the 15# bag cost. $180. Guess that's why he got so excited.

Seems ridiculous. I can buy a 50# can of Lincoln Fleetweld 6010 5P 1/8" for $140 including shipping.