Another Welding Question

[BB_TX]

There have been numerous discussions regarding welding. And this may have been answered, but I could not find it. I know you should keep your rods dry. But how do you know if a rod has absorbed enough moisture to be bad? Actually, what is "bad"? Does it not weld properly? Is the weld weaker? Is there any visual evidence just looking at a rod to tell if it is good or bad? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Bad is almost a bad choice of words, and yes, I'm ashamed of having done that, but I did.
Moisture in rod coating is most serious in lo hydrogen rods, and will seriously effect the weld, to the extent some rods must be returned to the oven after 2 hours.
For the general homeowner welder running 6013 or 7018 rod, moisture content isn't really a concern, unless you're in a high humidity area. That isn't to suggest you should story your rod in a damp basement, because that will effect coating too.
Generally, with 6013 or 7018, storing the rods in the house or garage shouldn't be a problem. If you don't have a dry storage area, you can make a rod cabinet with a small heater in it to keep your rod usable.
A good indicator of a humidity problem is if steel sitting in the same environment rusts, you shouldn't be storing rod there.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

One thing I'll add to that is if you are welding and you start getting little holes in yor bead it could be that your rod has obsobed enough mostiure that it is showing up in your weld,water,heat,pop,little holes. 7018 rods are low hydrogen rods,that means they have a low water content in them and are supposed to be stored in a ,[ I think],250 degree oven after opening the can,I'd have to check on that temp.,but its around there. 6010 rods have mosture in the coating,and if you put them in an oven you will ruin them,by baking all the mosture out,and they will snap crackle and pop,and the flux will falloff. frantz,what do you do,sounds like you are in my line of work? RICHARD GAUTHIER