Update on my Stickweld 250

[deereman75]

Say, shieldarc would you happen to know which 7018 the 250 likes best? I don't think it likes my 7018ac Lincoln much...

 

[Furu]

Say, shieldarc would you happen to know which 7018 the 250 likes best? I don't think it likes my 7018ac Lincoln much...

Wow, yours does not like the 7018AC Lincoln. I found that it ran very nice. Very easy starting with the arc stabilizers in it.

I have been using Excalibur lately almost exclusively. I previously found that the 7018AC ran really nice. Have not used any 1/8" for months but have used the 3/32" a bit lately with great results. What are you seeing that makes you say it does not like it?

Wish I could remember what Shield Arc had me running last week when I was over there. It was also a great rod. I am certain he will mention it when he sees the comment/question.

 

[Shield Arc]

We were using ESAB's 1/8-inch Acclaim 7018. The 250 really loved that rod. deerman I don't think we can get it here in the states, but up there you guys can get ESAB's OK 7018. I understand that is a really nice 7018. If Arc weld doesn't see this thread PM him and ask his opinion.
Atom Arc Low Hydrogen Electrodes

 

[deereman75]

I will have to give it another shot when my machine gets fixed. For some reason, I always had the slag covering the puddle. Even on my old tombstone, I could get the nice distinct puddle. For all I know, the arcforce will fix that. I will try to find a local supplier for esab rods, I know we have an airgas and a linde around here somewhere. Do either of those carry esab? Might be a praxair as well, not sure as I only really go to air liquide.

 

[Shield Arc]

The little independent welding supply I deal with, if you want ESAB products from them you have to buy a pallet load:confused3:. I had AirGas bring in the Acclaim, only took 3-weeks!

 

[deereman75]

Have you guys tried running blueshield 7018 or 6010? I know mine ran blueshield 6011 fairly well, no matter how bad I messed up, it still made a decent weld. I know up here blueshield is the main brand of rods used, they are even easier to find than Lincoln, and made in Canada. If you haven't, don't worry. I am picking up a few cans of blueshield rod next week (and finally filling my torch), I will report on how they run.

 

[Arc weld]

Blueshield/Air Liquide 7018 is the the most popular 7018 in Canada by a big margin. Most vessel shops use Blueshield 7018 and Lincoln 5P+ 6010. It is the most expensive but does burn the nicest. Some shops are using the less expensive Esab OK 55 7018 and are happy with it. My buddy has a Ranger 305G and uses the Blueshield for piping and x-ray work but for general welding uses the OK 55. He says the Esab needs about 10% more amps. The Blueshield run especially nice coming out of a rod oven. When I welded my backhoe swing pivot back together, I didn't hesitate and bought the Blueshield 7018. It's really nice for vertical up too. The B/S 6011 is a nice burning rod too but more expensive as well. Lincoln Excalibur 7018 isn't as popular but it's kind of a love it or hate it rod. Shield arc had great things to say about Esab 10P+ 6010 but I don't know anyone who's tried it here. Everybody really liked going from Lincoln 5P to the 5P+ 6010 but now Lincoln has a bunch of different + XX10 rods.

 

[deereman75]

I remember the last time I got blueshield rods ( 2 #5 boxes) They were maybe $1 or $2 more than Lincoln, and maybe $3 more than powerfist. (for those of you not in Canada, powerfist is the house brand of out equivalent of harbor freight. With the volume I burn, I might as well just burn blueshield.

 

[deereman75]

Update: something went wrong with shipping. FedEx decided there wasn't proper papers, a week after sending..... They couldn't get through to longevity, so it came back... I knew something would go wrong with shipping, my luck has been too good recently.

 

[medic0648]

Fedex is really good at messing things up in my experance. I avoid them as much as possible. old dominion can get 100+lb of welder/pacakaging from longevity by the 4th day. Fedex I had to call corporate to get my <20lb package after the 1st 7 business days.