7018 rods

[Arc of steel]

So ordered 7018 rods can I use these in this cold weather,also do I need to warm up metal plate with heat gun , before welding ,never used these rods 2.5 rods ,what am I looking out for for first try.

 

[Memmeddu]

So ordered 7018 rods can I use these in this cold weather,also do I need to warm up metal plate with heat gun , before welding ,never used these rods 2.5 rods ,what am I looking out for for first try.

Well it depends upon what you are welding on, its function,its thickness and the joint importance itself.
I've never had to preheat stuff for my own projects, but at work I do little bit every time I can

 

[denlow60]

So ordered 7018 rods can I use these in this cold weather,also do I need to warm up metal plate with heat gun , before welding ,never used these rods 2.5 rods ,what am I looking out for for first try.

can you show the code on the package, it contains most of the information.

 

[m_c]

7018 work fine in the cold, but in my experience, they really don't like being damp.

Which reminds me, I need to find my pack and stick them on a radiator as I have JCB bucket to weld :/

 

[Dcal]

A bit of preheat won't ever hurt but for steel up to 30mm it's not really needed
However if you heat cold steel you can see the condensation drying off which is good.

If it's not a critical application I'd just crack on.

 

[Arc of steel]

can you show the code on the package, it contains most of the information.

 

[denlow60]

I want to see this

 

[Arc of steel]

It only says e7018

 

[denlow60]

also fine.
You can weld well with this electrode in your area for the outside temperature. I think it can handle -20 Celsius and more.
If you are going to weld, make the weld seam free of water.
and keep the electrode dry.

 

[Arc of steel]

Thanks have ago tomorrow fingers crossed

 

[Arc of steel]

Are we looking at 80 / 90 amps

 

[E T]

Are we looking at 80 / 90 amps

For 2.5mm 7018 that's about right.
Preheat of mild steel is not necessary unless its very thick.
What welder are you using? OCV(open circuit voltage) can be a thing with 7018. 70V and higher is preferable.

 

[Arc of steel]

At the moment draper storm 120 amp looking at this for next welder

 

[E T]

That draper is 62V OCV. I think it will run 7018, but 7018 are harder to start than 6013. Higher OCV helps start and running them without sticking. The 62V is on the low side, but the hot start will help a bit. Most chinese inverters can handle 7018 relatively ok.
The Gys will run them, but I would go for the 160P. A bit more oomph is always better.

 

[Arc of steel]

Ok thanks

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

7018 work fine in the cold, but in my experience, they really don't like being damp.

Which reminds me, I need to find my pack and stick them on a radiator as I have JCB bucket to weld :/

Putting them on a radiator is going to do little to nothing. If the bucket or component is hardox might be worth grabbing a vac pac or a gentle pre heat

 

[m_c]

Putting them on a radiator is going to do little to nothing. If the bucket or component is hardox might be worth grabbing a vac pac or a gentle pre heat

They only go on the radiator to dry them out, as they normally live in an unheated workshop.

 

[E T]

They only go on the radiator to dry them out, as they normally live in an unheated workshop.

You won't dry them out on a radiator. The flux acquires a chemical bond with the moisture and you need a lot more heat to break that bond.
That's why rod ovens for drying go up to 300 degrees celsius.

 

[Memmeddu]

You won't dry them out on a radiator. The flux acquires a chemical bond with the moisture and you need a lot more heat to break that bond.
That's why rod ovens for drying go up to 300 degrees celsius.

And requires time too .
Roughly 4 hours at 365°C if I'm not mistaken

 

[m_c]

You won't dry them out on a radiator. The flux acquires a chemical bond with the moisture and you need a lot more heat to break that bond.
That's why rod ovens for drying go up to 300 degrees celsius.

Going on my past experience, a couple days sat on the radiator makes them far better to use than when they've been sat in the workshop for months.
A rod oven would be better, but given how infrequently I actually use 7018 (or any rod for that matter), I can't really justify an oven.