Favourite welding rods..

[Arcoftheearth]

alright, so i've tried a few different types of welding rods from a few different companies and was wondering what everyone else liked
ive used super 6 which i found to be pretty naff, bohler which i loved.. proper smooth arc & some hilco reds which were alright

let us know of any decent brands

 

[Johnnypf]

I tend to use Murex or Esab depending which is in stock at local supplier

 

[ben8vgte]

I really like fincords but are hard to get round here, Bohler phoenix blau 6013 are what I tend to use and they are excellent as well. I cant say which I prefer as it's been a while since I had any Fincords and cant compare them back to back..

Oh and Bohler/UTP Comet J50 are what I tend to use if I need lo-hy.

 

[brightspark]

whatever general purpose rods i can buy at autojumbles real cheap . i try them and if there crap they go in the bin and if ok ive scored

 

[mr migwire]

nexus and esab 6013 have been all ive used of late and they seem ok.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Cellulosic: Murex Celtian (lincoln 5p+ a close second, just get on with celtians better for some reason)
Rutile: Fincord M (vodex a very close second) Lovely shaped beads with really easily detached slag
Iron powders: Esab 33.80 7024s like pouring steel into a fillet, 5mm rods almost as fast as the Mig on spray, but much better result (in my eyes lol)
Low Hy: Filarc 56s (7016), Bohler EV50 (7018)

Aswell as some proper crappy rods that have been lumbered over the last few years, these are my faves which I have used over the last few years.....

For general work, Fincord M take some beating, use them on all sorts, all positions, from brackets and fittings to slip on flanges on carbon pipework when procedures allow and liquid storage tanks, and these are one sweet running rod.
For the higher spec stuff we generally use Filarc rods, the 56s and 76s (7016 and 7018) and these run real nice, although not tolerant to any sort of moisture, kept in holding ovens and used from quivers they run great, giving porosity free xrays.
For beam bashing, the Esab 5mm and 6mm iron powders definitely take some beating lol

Had a burn with some of the cheaper rods over the years but to be honest, even if it was for bits and bobs was making for myself, or a mate, would give the likes of aldi rods, and some of the other cheapys a wide berth, Fincord m's or Filarc 56s all the way for me!!!!

 

[rory1]

Murex vodex are my rod of choice for 6013 (but only if someone else is paying for them)
And I like oirlikon supercitos for 7018's.

But realistically.... Whatever I have to hand of the correct grade!

 

[sardine]

Zodian universal, 6013, equal or better than fincord m.

Oerlicon ultracito 7018.

 

[Liquid Metal]

^^^ I agree with you completely re grade of rod, or following procedures, but those above are some i prefer to use

If im working on a Private Job at home, or out of work, Id rather use these as I know they put down a good weld, as its not likely to be tested other than maybe MPI'd in circumstances that warrant it, whereas those that we use at work all put down welds to xray, DPI etc tested standards

Companies like ESAB, Murex, Bohler etc or whoever makes their bits for them, spent millions (probably) over the years developing their consumables, from the standard of the core wires, to the ingredients/ratios in the fluxes.
Cant imagine some of the newly emerged cmpanies, or aldi, have put in the same R&D?

I maybe wrong, but just an opinion.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Zodian universal, 6013, equal or better than fincord m.

Oerlicon ultracito 7018.

Do you reckon?? Ive always liked the Fincords, nice buttery arc and think they lay a lovely looking bead myself, I found with Zodians, they seemed a little harsh

 

[sardine]

I just happened to get a box of zodians cheap, and I've been using them lately, I like them.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Never liked zodians that much with inverters.were better on an Oxford oil cooled.
Vodex rule
phoenix 6013 are cheap but consistent.
phoenix cel70 are tough on a plant but a great cellulose rod
bohler 7018s I use, cant remember which ones, but only 2.5 fantastic.dont get on with same rod in 3.2.wierd.phoenix 7018 all sizes

 

[Liquid Metal]

Well when theyre cheap, theyre always that little bit better

 

[brightspark]

Well when theyre cheap, theyre always that little bit better

only if u can lay them on with peelers

 

[Liquid Metal]

only if u can lay them on with peelers

Thats why for general usage i like Fincords and Vodex Burn a whole rod in, then get the tip of a steel rule under where the slag has started to lift, one quick flick and off it comes in one (so long as theyre not damp lol)

 

[Liquid Metal]

Wont get much better for a root pass than Celtians though, crank up the arc force, bury it in there and buuuurrrrrrrnnnn lol

 

[rory1]

Although Thier my 'favourite' I've never had a peeler with a vodex, I always find the slag is quite vitriois more like a lo-hy than a 6013

 

[wheresmejumper]

Vodex are rutile cellulosic so the flux is a bit different from plain rutile rods