Restoring welding rods

Farwell · Nov 20, 2005

I have a bunch of different types of welding rods that have not been stored properly. Is there any way to restore them for use? They have not been wet, just stored in a building for several years in the container they came in. The containers have been opened. Would baking them in and oven at a low temperature for a few days help? I would not bother if there wasn't around 30 pounds of rod.
Farwell

bobodu · Nov 20, 2005

You can try baking them to dry them out,but once they're gone....
They can still be soaked in water for less than ten minutes and used em for cutting!

Deerlope · Nov 20, 2005

if rod is going to be kept for a long some have made an insulqated box with a 25 watt bulb in to keep the rod dry.

Thorndike · Nov 20, 2005

You could build a box out of plywood, and use a lightbulb around 75 watts for heat. It may take a few days. Or, you could do like 5030 and use an old toaster oven set at about 200 degrees, for a few hours. In the future, build a box as above, and when you buy new rod, store it in there. You don't need a whole lot of heat to keep most rod dry, although the Hy/Lo rods like 7018, should be kept at 180-200. 6010,6011, 6013, only need minimal heat. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

You didn't say what kind of rod you have. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Farwell · Nov 20, 2005

Thanks guys.
I haven't tried to use the rods but will give them a try before tossing them out. It will be a while before I get the welding area set up but I am going to build the rod storing box with the light bulb. I also have a bunch of desiccant material that may help some as well. I have seen the rod ovens for sale on Ebay but they were high wattage and expensive.
Never thought of using the rod for cutting, have to give that a try.
Farwell

JustGary · Nov 20, 2005

Someone recently posted a link to this site where I read the following about reconditioning rods:

( 4.3.1.2 The recommended storage and rebake temperatures for Atom Arc low hydrogen electrodes are follows:
STORAGE RECONDITIONED
225-300°F 1 hr. @700°F )

Of course, it's talking about low hydrogen rods (e.g. 7018), which require very low water content in the coating for proper use. Based on that, I think that you want to put them in the oven on "Self Clean" setting and let them bake. I'd imagine that you could dry them a bit slower at 450 and feel safer.

That's about where I'd start with old rods if it were me (which reminds me, I have a few packs of opened rods, too!). I guess you'll always drive some moisture out if you heat them over 212*F for a long time, but hotter is probably better if you actually want to get it done.

A trick that my buddy taught me for seasoning cast iron is to do it on the gas grill outside. It gets plenty hot, and the wife doesn't complain about the smell. Heck, I hate the smell too, and the burning eyes!

So, for rods, forget the oven and try wrapping them loosely in heavy duty foil and placing them on the upper rack of your (or your neighbor's if you don't own one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) gas grill and put it on high with the lid closed for a good hour or so. When you turn it off and let them cool a bit you can throw them directly into a large ammo can for storage (you do keep large ammo cans around for these kinds of things, don't you?).

Please let us know how this works, since I have a lot of rods that need it also. I didn't know until I read the ESAB lesson last week that I needed to keep them that dry; I just figured that out of the rain was good. Here in Florida, it gets so humid that they might as well be out in the rain.

Regards,

Just Gary

Farwell · Nov 21, 2005

Gary,
Thanks.
Yup, I have the ammo cans but it looks like I may have to get a few more. Never thought about ammo cans for rods but think it is a great idea.
I have cured some cast iron cooking ware on my Weber and like the ammo cans never thought about the barbie as a high heat source for restoring rods. I do store things in the ammo cans along with some desiccant packets for keeping items moisture safe.
Looks like, thanks to you, I am on my way to saving my rods.
I will let you know how it works. It is going to be a little while, probably after the first of the year before I start.
Thanks for the site info and the restoration info.
Farwell

escavader · Nov 21, 2005

I keep mine in homemade containers,made out of pvc.Each is a 3 inch peice slightly longer than a rod,an end cap glued on one end,and a clean out plug that screws in the other end.I never have wet rods,and no light bulbs to burn
alan

JustGary · Nov 22, 2005

I really like the PVC pipe idea. I had been tossing that one around but never got to it. Of course, I would still have that pile of ammo cans waiting for something!

- Just Gary

rebelmedic · Nov 22, 2005

My Grandpa used a old full size refridgerator to make a rod storage and dryer. Disconnect the compressor and hard wire the light switch so it stays lit with the door closed.Remove the plastic bulb guard. He first tryed a 100watt bulb but was too hot, melted a lot of plastic inside.I think he settled on a 40watt.One of the small dorm size fridges would take up less space and should still work well

daveh1 · Jan 3, 2006

I've seen a welding shop near me that used an old refrigerator (not functioning refrigeration) with just an appliance bulb inside to keep their rods fresh. Seems to work for them in a fairly humid climate. Just a thought. Daveh1

Mits D2050 & Honda R /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gifancher

Cord · Jan 3, 2006

Put the rods in the oven and bake them for a while. The clean cycle seems to be a bit overkill. I thought (having never had the need to bake my rods) that 200 degrees was adequate. I keep all of my rods in the original package until I have the capacity in the pastic rod containers. I have one for every different rod type and size. The containers are not expensive and they work really well.

TomPenny · Jan 3, 2006

so how do you determine if a rod is good or bad. I'm sure it's just assumed if you leave them out. I store mine on a red plastic rod container from HD. They appear fine but are they. They've been in there for months.

MadReferee · Jan 3, 2006

Back in 1988 I was given 50 lbs of 6013 and 50 lbs of 7018 rods. I still have most of them and they still work just fine. They are still in the original box under my workbench. The key is keeping them in a cool dry place.

I almost never use these. Anyone in the northeast want to make me an offer?

Cord · Jan 3, 2006

You can't tell by looking at them. You'll know as soon as you strike the arc. The weld won't lay properly and if you continue to fight it you'll have something that resembles poo.

Dargo · Jan 3, 2006

I dunno. I haven't had very good luck bringing bad rods back to life. I've tried all of the (good) suggestions here with somewhat poor results. Maybe I just don't have the touch. In trying to teach a few people how to weld, some of those people just don't have to touch to weld very well. Maybe I'm that way on reviving rods. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I kept some of my big 3/16" and 1/4" rods for other purposes, but tossed most of the rest that wouldn't work well. They make for some butt ugly welds! Now I just buy the small 5 pound boxes and use most of them right after buying them. I do have the nice air-tight aluminum rod cans, but even using those, my rods seem to go bad after a year or two. But, hey, my spools in my MIG welder don't seem to go bad. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

3RRL · Jan 3, 2006

( I really like the PVC pipe idea.)

Gary,
I use the PVC pipe storage system and have for many years. Here's a photo showing my ancient racks that hold my rod. This rod rack is for my TIG welding rods and it is very protective. You can see it's had mop spray and crud flung on it from the past.
I would keep the arc welding rod rack in a better, drier place.

westbrooklawn · Jan 3, 2006

Interesting thread... I had some old 7018 rod that had been laying around in a damp garage for about 10 years... tried it and it was obviously bad. I put the whole batch on a baking pan and put it in the oven at 250 for about 5 hours (figured I had nothing to loose!). I tried some the next day and laid down some of the prettiest welds I have ever made...

I'm not saying this will always work, but it did for me!!

Highbeam · Jan 3, 2006

Cool. Did the rod cooking stink up the house? My 7018 has spoiled from humidity and now the welds are bird poopy and porous.

JustGary · Jan 3, 2006

3RRL,

Nice rack. Thanks for the photo. I'll have to do something like that. I'm glad to hear that some folks have had success with cooking rods. I'll give it a try before I store them again.

 "I would keep the arc welding rod rack in a better, drier place." 

Most people think they know high humidity until they come to Florida in the summer. It's not even dry in the air conditioning.

- Just Gary