MechMate CNC Router Forum

Go Back   MechMate CNC Router Forum > General - MM Build
Register Options Profile Last 1 | 3 | 7 Days Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old Wed 31 March 2010, 16:37
Zouave
Just call me: Eric #115
 
Sacramento, CA
United States of America
Question RE old welding electrodes...

So, in poking around down in the shop, I came across a box of my dad's old welding electrodes. These are AT LEAST 10 years old, possibly 15...?? I'm really not sure, but I'm quite sure he hasn't used them in about that long. Anyway, I have them up in the house now, where they will be drying out for a few days. My question is basically this: Will I put myself in any kind of physical danger if I practice with these? And I guess, going off of that, would they be okay to use? To my eye (untrained) there is not any damage to the electrodes themselves, but I'm sure that they've picked up some residual moisture along the way as they were neither kept sealed in their bags, or in anywhere where there was a bulb keeping them dry. However, I am in California, so humidity is typically fairly low, and as far as I know, they haven't been exposed directly to the elements.

Should I scrap them, or use them? (Before you say scrap them, there are 200+ electrodes in said box)

I need practice in welding, so if I'm not going to be putting myself in harm's way, I'd like to go ahead and use them for that.

Thoughts, anyone?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old Wed 31 March 2010, 16:38
Zouave
Just call me: Eric #115
 
Sacramento, CA
United States of America
Oh, I guess I should also mention the types...
~100 E6013 - 3/32
~100 E6013 - 1/16
~15 7018 - 3/16 or so...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Wed 31 March 2010, 19:45
JamesJ
Just call me: Jim #104 (retired)
 
Kansas
United States of America
I'm no welding authority but most rod can be reconditioned. Here is a Link - http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...nt/storing.asp

Last edited by JamesJ; Wed 31 March 2010 at 19:47..
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Sat 03 April 2010, 01:07
TheDave
Just call me: dave
 
Toledo (Ohio)
United States of America
You will be in no physical danger if you use the old welding rods. Just to be clear - a welding rod that has absorbed lots of moisture will not explode or cause any other physical harm. It will still perform as a welding rod.

I would not worry about the 6013 rods, their performance won't be too affected by being exposed to air.

The 7018 rod is a low hydrogen rod and needs to be dried. Leaving it exposed to air will add hydrogen (from water moisture) and it will no longer be a low hydrogen rod and you will get pourous welds. Honestly, I would just throw them out. You only have about 15, so it's not worth the trouble to dry them out.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Sat 03 April 2010, 01:48
Zouave
Just call me: Eric #115
 
Sacramento, CA
United States of America
That's a great link, JamesJ, thank you.

Also, TheDave, thank you for the comments. I'll probably give one of the 7018s a try, break the weld and see how it looks. More than likely, though, I think I will just toss 'em after that 1.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old Sat 03 April 2010, 02:23
KenC
Just call me: Ken
 
Klang
Malaysia
You can relish on the 7018, but you don't need 7018 on mild steel, those are for boiler plates or medium/high carbon steel... 6013 are cheaper & more suitable for this application. Most importantly, even a 2 left hand welder like me can weld with 6013.
For the money you will be spending on the build, spending US10 on a pack of fresh 6013 seems plausible.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Register Options Profile Last 1 | 3 | 7 Days Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1020400W Gantry Frame Welding instructions Gerald_D 20. Gantry 7 Sun 06 February 2011 02:29
Welding equipment & techniques smreish General - MM Build 96 Mon 22 November 2010 00:48
Welding rack sections together Jayson Driving Mechanisms: Rack/pinion, gears, screws, belts & chains 0 Wed 24 December 2008 13:13
Has anyone considered mounting spot welding electrodes? lumberjack_jeff 50. Toolheads 1 Sun 27 July 2008 00:53
Welding commenced - Leamington, Ontario, CA cobra427mnsi Construction started, but not cutting yet 31 Tue 05 February 2008 23:07


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 14:34.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.