Restoring welding rods

[Farwell]

I have a bunch of different types of welding rods that have not been stored properly. Is there any way to restore them for use? They have not been wet, just stored in a building for several years in the container they came in. The containers have been opened. Would baking them in and oven at a low temperature for a few days help? I would not bother if there wasn't around 30 pounds of rod.
Farwell

 

[bobodu]

You can try baking them to dry them out,but once they're gone....
They can still be soaked in water for less than ten minutes and used em for cutting!

 

[Deerlope]

if rod is going to be kept for a long some have made an insulqated box with a 25 watt bulb in to keep the rod dry.

 

[Thorndike]

You could build a box out of plywood, and use a lightbulb around 75 watts for heat. It may take a few days. Or, you could do like 5030 and use an old toaster oven set at about 200 degrees, for a few hours. In the future, build a box as above, and when you buy new rod, store it in there. You don't need a whole lot of heat to keep most rod dry, although the Hy/Lo rods like 7018, should be kept at 180-200. 6010,6011, 6013, only need minimal heat. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

You didn't say what kind of rod you have. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Farwell]

Thanks guys.
I haven't tried to use the rods but will give them a try before tossing them out. It will be a while before I get the welding area set up but I am going to build the rod storing box with the light bulb. I also have a bunch of desiccant material that may help some as well. I have seen the rod ovens for sale on Ebay but they were high wattage and expensive.
Never thought of using the rod for cutting, have to give that a try.
Farwell

 

[JustGary]

Someone recently posted a link to this site where I read the following about reconditioning rods:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 4.3.1.2 The recommended storage and rebake temperatures for Atom Arc low hydrogen electrodes are follows:
STORAGE RECONDITIONED
225-300°F 1 hr. @700°F )</font>

Of course, it's talking about low hydrogen rods (e.g. 7018), which require very low water content in the coating for proper use. Based on that, I think that you want to put them in the oven on "Self Clean" setting and let them bake. I'd imagine that you could dry them a bit slower at 450 and feel safer.

That's about where I'd start with old rods if it were me (which reminds me, I have a few packs of opened rods, too!). I guess you'll always drive some moisture out if you heat them over 212*F for a long time, but hotter is probably better if you actually want to get it done.

A trick that my buddy taught me for seasoning cast iron is to do it on the gas grill outside. It gets plenty hot, and the wife doesn't complain about the smell. Heck, I hate the smell too, and the burning eyes!

So, for rods, forget the oven and try wrapping them loosely in heavy duty foil and placing them on the upper rack of your (or your neighbor's if you don't own one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) gas grill and put it on high with the lid closed for a good hour or so. When you turn it off and let them cool a bit you can throw them directly into a large ammo can for storage (you do keep large ammo cans around for these kinds of things, don't you?).

Please let us know how this works, since I have a lot of rods that need it also. I didn't know until I read the ESAB lesson last week that I needed to keep them that dry; I just figured that out of the rain was good. Here in Florida, it gets so humid that they might as well be out in the rain.

Regards,

Just Gary

 

[Farwell]

Gary,
Thanks.
Yup, I have the ammo cans but it looks like I may have to get a few more. Never thought about ammo cans for rods but think it is a great idea.
I have cured some cast iron cooking ware on my Weber and like the ammo cans never thought about the barbie as a high heat source for restoring rods. I do store things in the ammo cans along with some desiccant packets for keeping items moisture safe.
Looks like, thanks to you, I am on my way to saving my rods.
I will let you know how it works. It is going to be a little while, probably after the first of the year before I start.
Thanks for the site info and the restoration info.
Farwell

 

[escavader]

I keep mine in homemade containers,made out of pvc.Each is a 3 inch peice slightly longer than a rod,an end cap glued on one end,and a clean out plug that screws in the other end.I never have wet rods,and no light bulbs to burn
alan

 

[JustGary]

I really like the PVC pipe idea. I had been tossing that one around but never got to it. Of course, I would still have that pile of ammo cans waiting for something!

- Just Gary

 

[rebelmedic]

My Grandpa used a old full size refridgerator to make a rod storage and dryer. Disconnect the compressor and hard wire the light switch so it stays lit with the door closed.Remove the plastic bulb guard. He first tryed a 100watt bulb but was too hot, melted a lot of plastic inside.I think he settled on a 40watt.One of the small dorm size fridges would take up less space and should still work well