[AT] welding problems

[Gene Dotson]

    John'
    Is your welder an AC only? Conventional 7018 rods are run on DC. There 
is a 7018 rod made to run on AC, but has to be specific.

    If your welder has DC capability, you may be running the wrong polarity 
as 7018 DC is polarity sensitive.

    I have a Lincoln AC welder and do most of my welding with 6011 and 6013 
rods. Get best penetration witt 6011 and 6013 works better on thin metals 
and gives a smoother weld.

                    Gene



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Hall" <jthall at worldnet.att.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 8:29 AM
Subject: [AT] welding problems


> OK stick welding experts, got one for you. The welder we have is a 40+ 
> year
> old Marquette, bought new for use here on the farm. I had to buy some more
> welding rods over the past several months and unfortunately had to switch
> brands. We had always used Hobart (or possibly Lincoln) rods. The welding
> supply chain now only sells Hyundai rods in small quantities (10 lb) 
> boxes.
> I can't justify buying 50lbs of Hobart rods.
> Anyway, on to my problem. I picked up a new box of 1/8" 7018 rods to do
> some repair on my subsoiler. I set the welder as high as it would go (180)
> and could not get it to weld. All I could get was a couple of arcs and
> sometimes the rod would stick.  Before you ask, yes I cleaned where I was
> welding, cleaned the ground area, made sure the terminals on the welder 
> were
> clean, and even cut off and reinstalled the end of the ground cable where 
> it
> goes into the clamp. I also tried grounding and welding on 3 different
> pieces--all of varying size and thickness.  I resorted to using 3/32 rods
> with the welder set on 125. It would run those rods so hot that they would
> almost turn red before it was time to switch. I know I have used 1/8" 7014
> before, so my question is this--Is there a difference between 7014 and 
> 7018
> that makes the 7018 require a higher setting on the welder, Is there
> something wrong with the welder, or is it something to do with these
> imported rods?
>
> John Hall
>
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