Old rods - free - but sitting out

[Ford tractor]

Hi,

I was given some old rods. Well, "some" is an understatement. About 200# of rod all diameter and types from 1/8" to 1/4".


Nice


But, they have been sitting out for years.

Are they junk or jewel? It will make a difference as I have a mig but no stick welder. Wouldn't want to buy a welder to use the free stuff only to find the free stuff is junk.

 

[Willl]

sitting out for years.

Junk.

 

[gauthier]

Well,depends on rod make up,and what setting out means,try one and see,oh,just read you don't have a stick welder,well guess they'll be setting around a bit longer.:laughing:

 

[EuropaChris]

If sitting out means in a pile out in the rain, then yes, junk.

If they have been inside a shop or other relatively dry area and the flux coating doesn't have rust bleeding through it, then they could be OK to use as-is or just need to be run through a reconditioning "bake". The process is dependent upon which rod needs the baking:

Storing and Re-drying Electrodes - Lincoln

I have some 7018 rods that have been in an open box inside a shop environment for 7 years - it gets humid here in the summer. However, they run just fine compared to a new batch I bought. Can't use them for "code" work without re-drying and keeping in a rod oven, but for basic mild steel and thin sections (1/4" or so) they work fine.

I picked up an AC/DC Dayton welder for $108 on Craigslist this past weekend, upgrading from an old Marquette AC-only buzzbox I got for free from a co-worker. The Dayton welds superbly - better on AC than the Marquette and welding on DC is the schiznit! My 7 year old son could do it! I have no desire to buy a MIG welder. I don't do really thin stuff (autobody), and I have access to 400A 3-phase "real" MIG welders at work if I need it.

Yes, stick is a little slower and a little more messy, but I feel a lot more confident about my stick welds holding together, and stick really rewards technique - I like the challenge!

 

[jayste]

If the flux has drawn moisture or have gotten wet then they're more trouble than they're worth. Junk.

 

[Big Wave D]

Seems like I've heard people say that they can be used for crude cutting. Just crank the amps up to their highest and go at it.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,I've cut with rods,need alota amps and about 5/32 rod dc.
What using them is good for is punching holes,or if you got concrete filled pipe it cuts that about the best of anything.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Old rods are a great way to practice though. If they are more than a year or so old, without proper storage, I would set them aside for "practice work"
They will work fine for that, and when you do get good rods, it'll make you look good.

 

[Egon]

Old rods are a great way to practice though

How can you practice when they don't do what they are supposed to?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

They'll work..even a rusty rod will. You can practice technique. Unless the flux is falling off, you can still practice. Even if it is hard to start an arc, you will get better at arc striking.