make-shift electrode oven

[nsmithnd]

Does 7018AC have the same moisture issues that plain old 7018 has?

Yesterday I used the last stick of a 1 pound box of 1/8" that I had picked up a couple of years ago to try out.
Once I got it going it stayed lit for me (running at 120 on the old Forney), then I opened a new 5 pound box which I had no problems starting.

Later on as I was digging through my messy work-bench looking for something, I came across a magnetic oil pan heater (which has burned me on more than one occasion). Knowing that the 5 pound box would soon become hard to light as well, I started wondering if the 300-400 (based on the specs I found on-line) degree magnetic heater stuck to a chunk of pipe might get hot enough to do the trick for those of us that shy away from 7018 and don't weld enough (or are too cheap) to buy an oven.

Any thoughts as to whether or not this might be worth experimenting with? (always looking for an excuse to fire up the welder and tinker with something)

-Neil

 

[Shield Arc]

People use old refrigerators with a light bulb in them all the time. I used a smoker with a heat lamp for years. Unless you're doing code work you don't need an oven.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/270296-wet-7018-a.html

 

[grsthegreat]

good question...not sure. I have a small portable oven i got 3-4 years ago for about $200 at my supply house. it gets very warm..not hot to the touch on the outside, but i cant handle the rods inside without gloves....verrrry hot.

The 3/4" of insulation does wonders to keep the heat in. I dont see how an exposed pipe can insulate it. You might have to place this setup inside another larger pipe and seal the ends. ... wait, homeland security might think your making bombs LOL

 

[Chilly807]

I bought an old toaster oven for $5.. worked like a charm. The rods I had needed to be baked, not maintained, so I had to remove the safety fuse to get up to 600+ degrees F for an hour.

I don't use 7018 any more, so I tossed it a few weeks ago.

Sean

 

[gwdixon]

I use an electric fry pan with lid. The extra long fry pans will hold 5 lbs of 14" rods placed corner-to-corner. The pans are cheap at WalMart or a yard sale.

Since welding is not done daily on the farm the rods are cooked on high for about 4 hours before a job is tackled. Seems to work fine.

 

[BillBeyer]

I use side by side fridge. Used hole saw to punch holes thru center wall. Put light bulb in bottom of one side. Welding rods go directly above the light bulb. a few boxes of ammo on the other side. keeps everything dry for me.

 

[Arc weld]

I think a magnetic heater on a piece of pipe would work great for heating rods for a small job.:thumbsup: 7018AC also needs to be kept dry but like Shield Arc said, it doesn't need an oven unless it's either got wet or you're doing code work.

 

[PHPaul]

Old dorm reefer, guts removed, 60 watt bulb installed.

Keeps my welding rod dry and keeps other things I don't want to freeze warm in my unheated garage. Paint markers, flashlight, gasket goop, that sort of thing. Kept it about 60º during the little stretch of -20º weather we just had.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You better stock up on those incandescent bulbs. Ban took place Jan1 on manufacturering of them so what is in stock is what we have left to choose from. Those refrigerators with 100 watt bulbs keep them dry to some extent but not like a heating coil set per manufacturers standard of 300F for low hydrogen. Still likely good for home use though.

 

[jwmorris]

I stick weld so little these days I keep them in my closet inside the house. Less temp change and humidity there than in the shop.