MMA Electrode Choices

[HasBean]

At the moment I'm using Eutectic CPI436's 6013's (can't find anything on the internet, even their own site) It's all there is over here apart from SIP or B&Q jobs :full

Has anyone used the Eutectics or can recommend another one to try? (have heard of ESAB Mildtrodes being good)

Would like to try something else but would have to ship it over so hence asking for advice before I do.

So, basically, a good rod (guessing 6013 but open to ideas) 2.5 or 3.2mm ? (can't really afford both)

And while I'm at it I've seen the threads about stainless rods that can be used for cast iron (?) or general purpose/disimilar repairs and was wondering if it was worth keeping some at home 'just in case' but have seen 312/316 etc and don't know which would be best

Any advice/cussing gratefully received

Paul

 

[Paul.]

Miltrodes are a good general purpose electrode, I use BOC Everyday E6013, they're a fairly cheap pro quality electrode, At about £13 for a box of 250, 2.5mm, if you buy a carton (3 boxes) you might get them cheaper, I just checked for BOC agents in Jersey and found this.
Perhaps you already know them,
Norman Ltd
Five Oaks
St Saviour Jersey
Channel Islands
JE2 7GR


I wouldn't bother buying a large amount of special electrodes just in case, you'll never have the right ones for the job , and if you store them for too long they deteriorate, its probably better to make friends with a local welder or scrounge a few from your evening class as you need them,

 

[snowcat]

312/316/308L etc are a handy rod to have, yes you can get away with the odd cast repair, but a nickle Fi rod is better........ S/S are handy because there suitable for low alloy, high carbon, and manganese steels, also buttering for say a hardface.... but in the DIY world its possible pointless holding them for those sort of jobs.........most likely would be a dissimilar joint between M/S and S/S

6013s are a good general rod, I use bohlers (but BOC seam desperate to get me onto Lincolns giving me 2 boxes free to try tday) any big brands will be fine....... again if you wishing to do more structural work a "basic" lo-hi 7018 would be handy.........but pointless if your only sticking angle together.......

Personally I have racks of rods, but rods like 7014s and other exotics were used so job specific, that there not worth a mention.......

Some Nickle cast rods, a pack of 312 (dissimilar), some 6013s and maybe a 7018 (iron powder) lo-hi.... will see you fine.......

 

[HasBean]

Thanks for the replys guys,

Paul, Normans only stock cylinders but also own the company that bring in the Eutectic rods (but pilferring from classes may be a good idea if the instructor lets me )

Snowcat, Unlikely to need to do any 'real' cast iron work but might go for a small pack of 312's as it may well be usefull (yes I am a belts and braces man , when you know you can't get the stuff by driving down the road you become 'carefull'. On top of that we Jerseymen have short arms and deep pockets )

Cheers Guys,

Paul

 

[HasBean]

By the way, what does 'lo-hi' mean?

 

[Paul.]

Low Hydrogen

 

[HasBean]

 

[TechnicAl]

6013s are a good general rod, I use bohlers (but BOC seam desperate to get me onto Lincolns giving me 2 boxes free to try tday) any big brands will be fine.......

Snowcat...........if its the BOC Everyday 6013 they are offering....they are not Lincoln

 

[snowcat]

6013s are a good general rod, I use bohlers (but BOC seam desperate to get me onto Lincolns giving me 2 boxes free to try tday) any big brands will be fine.......

Snowcat...........if its the BOC Everyday 6013 they are offering....they are not Lincoln

nahhhh it was the Lincolns, I told em they can bin the BOCs Iv had em before dreadful, I did use them BTW when they were Lincolns a few years back, fine then, in fact I bought cartons and cartons of em, haven't a clue where there sourced now but god there ****e....... BOC seem very hungry for trade at the mo, setting some very good prices on the A/C for the next year......and pushing very hard to claw the consumable trade back.....