Old welding rod

I got an old Craftsman Color-Matic AC welder for X-mas. I never stick welded but I have a 115 mig. The Color-Matic came with 50 lbs of rod. It was all in a damp shed. I had a wicked time getting those rods to work. Once they got hot they worked fine. Do the rods go bad, like damp or just old? Can they be reconditioned in the oven?

Rick

 

just get new ones, you'll thank me later.

 

The coating on electrodes is hygroscopic--that is to say, it will pull moisture out of the air, and become an absolute ***** to weld with. Most weld shops have a "rod oven" for welding rod storage, where the rods are kept at a medium heat to drive out any moisture. I have had a lot of success by heating the rods in an old electric stove oven to dry them out. Don't do it in your wifes cooking oven, as they may give off a gas that could contaminate the next food she cooks there.

 

When I worked in chemical plants we just warmed up damp rods, and they worked just fine. I have never priced welding rods(that ****'s free when you work in plants); I bet they aren't cheap with the price of metal right now.

 

I know a machine shop that used lightbulbs in a cabinet to keep their welding rod warm.

 

In the welding shop at work ,they store them in a non working fridge with a 100 w light bulb.

 

A New York damp shed should be very much like a Nfld damp shed...RUST promoting!
In all honesty I'd toss the lot.

Using an oven or hot box to keep GOOD rods good, isn't the same as trying to dry out rods that have been sitting for years. More than likely they have formed actual rust inside the coating which will give you problems during welding.

As a learner you'd be better off with fresh rods you can count on...and you really should take lessons...because you'll have more fun and gain more knowledge than you ever thought possible!
Welding's a BLAST!

 

old wet rod is a battle lost! when you get some new rod 6" pvc pipe makes a good storage device.

 

Poorman's rod oven, but it works great!

 

If you really want to know the "rest of the story", go buy you a lb of rods (new) and try them. You'll see the difference. I believe that the old rods will provide you with some nice, contaminated welds. All welding rods should be stored in a dry container, via Welding 101.

 

Actually, an old ice chest with a drop light works pretty well too.

 

Just keep your peepers peeled for an old dorm refer , you know the little ones. Loose all the refriderator **** and affix a 100 watt light bulb inside(make sure you use all the proper electrical stuff). They are big enuf for the average hobbiest yet small enuf to be unobtrusive in the garage. They work great at keeping your rods dry and fresh, and its really, really cheap to make!! Mike

 

What he said, just rewire the light so it on all the time.

 

if the coating is falling off. Or cracked the rods are no good. Try heating them I keep my wire on the heater.

 

When in doubt,throw them out.

 

I had an old stick welder once that was nearly impossible to start an ark with. I would buy a small pack of new rod to make sure it's not the welder.

 

South Texas Pipeliners' trick is to short the rod to your work and hold for a second or two (enough to get the rod good and hot). Unclamp from the holder. Break the rod off the work, reattach, and weld away. Might save you a few bucks

 

if your just learning then dont worry about it, strike an arc and start welding, by the time you have gove an inch the rod will be dry, i find damp rods are easy to start, i would never use damp rods on anything that could fail and hurt someone.

 

You can bust off all the coating & use 'em with your torch - better than coat hangers ...

 

Buy a gas mig

 

buy a pack of 7014 rods... easy start

 

gas migs dont work outside in the wind.

 

6011 rods do it all

 

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