Shieldarc - Would you be willing to bend test some "Messer 80T AC" rod?

[rankrank1]

Shieldarc,

Your 7014 thread sure has been a forum hit. Would you be willing to weld up some test coupons using some Messer "80T AC" rod and then bend them in your bender for evaluation?

I have never tried this rod, but have been wanting to try them. It would be great if you could weld some coupons using both AC and then DC power. I have read that they work really sweet on AC (especially well for us guys with low end AC transformers like me) as well DC power.

Characteristic claims from others for these electrodes have been that these rods work well on rusty metal (similar to 6011), smoothness/bead appearance of 7014 or 7018 electrodes, and ease of use similar to 7014 or possibly even easier to use than 7014.

Note: It should be pointed out to all readers that these rods are considered "a maintenance rod" and are not for code specified type work. 80T designation does indicate 80,000 tensile strength, but they do lack American Welding Society certification which is why they do not have a typical 4-number designation like other electrodes are named.

FWIW: I would even be willing to mail you a few dollars to cover the cost of purchasing 1/2 pound to 1 pound of rod or so if you PM me. I believe Airgas carries these rods, but there are probably other supply sources too. Regardless, I trust your welding skill set much more than mine and I have no way of doing a decent bend test anyway. Plus, I think anyone who has read your posts know you have welding skills, honesty, and a general willingness to be helpful to the average backyard welder as well as pro level welders.

Thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never heard of this rod. According to Airgas's website they don't carry it. I Googled it and the first thing that appeared was this thread:laughing:. The local Airgas isn't open on weekends. The little independent that I deal with is, but I don't think either of them sells SMAW electrodes by the pound. Just Tig filler.

Airgas - Stick Electrode - Carbon Steel

Electrodes

 

[Meriasek]

Google "80t ac plus".

 

[Haywire]

http://www.weldsafe.com/mg-80t-ac-p...ectrode-Welding-Supplies-c-25-p-1-pr-710.html

 

[Shield Arc]

Haywire I have bought from that outfit before. Even have them bookmarked, don't know why I didn't think to look there! $13.70 isn't so bad, but they have a minimum order of $35.00!

I'll have to do some shopping and see if there is something I can't live without!:laughing:

 

[Haywire]

Weldingsupply.com is where I've been buying. Great prices and no minimum order, but looks like minimum shipping is 8.95. Still, I can buy 5lb of 6010 there, pay the shipping and still beat the local dealer by $7-8 a box. Not so with the rod I can get at Lowes or TSC, but the one high priced welding store is the only game in town for 6010.

Ian

 

[yomax4]

Guys, I used to sell the whole MG product line when I worked at a distributor for 14 yrs. I have been to their school and saw all of the rods they make for themselves and a lot of other companies. The 80T is a fun rod to to run but the reason it has no AWS classification is because it is a propriatory product and they would rather not show what it's made of. It's simply a higher carbon content 6013 with a nice flux that allows you to bend the rod with no flux cracking. If you test the welds you will see that they come in at just under 80,000 tensile. Many companies have a "Secret " rod or wire. Harris has a rod called 83/88. Expensive higher carbon 6011 with an 83 to 88 tensile. ESAB has Easy Grind wire. Both have no AWS classification and that is primarily because they don't want to tell the properties of the product. That keeps them "secret" and they can charge up the yang for them. I'm not saying anything bad about any of these products because I use them. I use them because they are free. I wouldn't if I had to pay the rediculous prices they ask. Look at Harris Welco "Super Missile Weld". Almost a household word in the midwest. Its 312 Stainless rod that you can buy for $8.00# but because it is a "secret" it is $30,00#. These are just a few of the secret products in the welding world, There are dozens more out there.

 

[rankrank1]

Well, I tried calling my Local welding supplier that I deal with this morning(Weiler Welding) and they do not carry Messer. Tried calling Airgas whom I try to never deal with if I can avoid it and they were closed.

Anyway, I may have a low cost baby step solution before a lot of money is thrown at this experiment. "US Forge" brand of electrodes is a division of parent company Messer according to their website.

Part number 01621 is available from US Forge in one lb pack of 3/32" diameter
Part number 01631 is available from US Forge in one lb pack of 1/8" diameter

I know my area Menard's stores do stock US Forge brand rods and I think some ACE Hardwares do too in 1 lb packs. Almost picked up a pack of them at Menard's the other day as 1 lb was not much money $4 to $6 or so. Anyway, the rods do not carry the Messer 80T AC designation, but the rods were made in the USA in what I believe to be the exact same factory as Messer rods are made so they just might be the same rod. They were blue in color like what I have read the 80T AC rods are. US Forge Packaging and website claim these are "easiest to use mild steel welding rod available" which sorta goes along with what I have read about the Messer 80T AC rods and website even states 80,000 tensile strength. Package also says these things are "great for AC buzzboxes".

Evaluating these might be an even better first step over the actual Messer's since they are more easily/readily available to the backyard user like me that might use them, plus the cost is more affordable too. What do you think? My offer still stands, I will pay for the 1 lb package of these US Forge rods from Menard's if you happen to have one of them one of them close by.

Here is a link to US Forge electrode index
Index

 

[eastexan]

It's simply a higher carbon content 6013 with a nice flux that allows you to bend the rod with no flux cracking. QUOTE]

Yomax, is this a shallow penetrating rod like the 6013?

 

[Shield Arc]

No! No Menards anywhere close to me. I just bought some pipe stands from Menards.com a few weeks ago. Do you have a link to Menards for that welding rod?