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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Effect of moisture on welding rods?

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Bob

01-12-2004 07:08:43




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I've heard that welding rods are affected by moisture, and would like to know just what the symptoms are, ie hard to start an arc, etc. Also, since my rods are usually just stored in the garage in the box they came in, would drying them out in the oven or something similar improver their performance? I know that the pro's use rod ovens, but just wondered how much of a difference a little moisture in the rod makes.

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Nominday

01-12-2004 21:46:43




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 Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Bob, 01-12-2004 07:08:43  
My super-certified welding guru won't use anything but oven-stored rod but he liked my idea of keeping my electrodes in a gasketed steel Army surplus ammo box with a carton of grocery-store "Damp-Rid" dessicant . . keeps my rods dry as the proverbial "pop-corn poot"



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Greg

01-12-2004 16:46:14




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 Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Bob, 01-12-2004 07:08:43  
I have kept my rods in a drawer of oil dry for the last 40 years, some say that you need a rod oven, in some of the const. jobs that I have had we had ovens, works good, but just use my method, and it has no cost. I know this is low key, some times we make life to complicated. Greg



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Bob

01-12-2004 15:17:28




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 Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Bob, 01-12-2004 07:08:43  
I can't weld at all with rods that have been exposed to moisture-I keep my rods in the house until I need them. I was looking at a tool catalog while ago and it showed a "rod keeper" a plastic tube with a cap on the end to seal it. It looked pretty good , I may try one. Bob



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TimV

01-12-2004 13:58:30




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 Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Bob, 01-12-2004 07:08:43  
Bob: It depends on what you call "a little moisture". Rods stored in "normal" conditions like you describe will probably not be terribly affected by moisture. However, if you are using low-hydrogen rods (7018 being probably the most common) or doing critical welds, even a little moisture can make a big difference. Beyond the difficulties with hard starting, moisture can lead to hydrogen embrittlement of the weld, porosity, and low tensile strenth of the finished weld. This is why pro welders are so careful about keeping their rods dry.

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T_Bone

01-12-2004 19:25:05




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 Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to TimV, 01-12-2004 13:58:30  
Hi Bob,

Can't add too much to what Tim said other than moister usually doesn't bother electrodes other than the low hydrogen rods, 7018. Can it? Yes, just rare.

7018 needs to be held at 250f to be moister free.

A good rod oven can be made with a small insuated SM box and a 100w lite bulb.

T_Bone



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Alvin n Ms.

01-12-2004 09:02:41




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 Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Bob, 01-12-2004 07:08:43  
I just can't weld at all with rods that have been exposed to moisture, they like pop and stick. I like to keep them in my wife's kitchen or under the bed till I get ready to use them. Sometimes they get thrown out! alvinnms



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Mac

01-12-2004 10:12:33




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 Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Alvin n Ms., 01-12-2004 09:02:41  
Years ago where I worked, I got an old refrigerator, put a light bulb in it and it worked well to keep the rods dry.



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Roy B

01-14-2004 10:39:24




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 Re: Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Mac, 01-12-2004 10:12:33  
Try a metal 5 gallon pail, laid on its side. Install a shelf dividing the pail in half. Put a small hinge on the lid and install a 60w bulb in the back/bottom of the pail. Compact and efficent rod oven, just don't try to grab them with your bare hand. Roy



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Nominday

01-13-2004 19:59:52




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 Re: Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods? in reply to Mac, 01-12-2004 10:12:33  
I have a friend who did the "light bulb in a refrigerator" thing for electrode storage . . I couldn't understand how this did anything to reduce or prevent moisture . . looks like it would just keep your moisture warm! Explain please.



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Paul Janke

01-15-2004 15:48:29




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods in reply to Nominday, 01-13-2004 19:59:52  
The air in a given area has the same amount of moisture in it. The warmer air can hold more moisture, but because all the air has that same amount of moisture, the relative humidity is lower with the warmer air. It's along these same lines when a pitcher of ice water "sweats" on a hot day. The moisture in the warm air condenses on the colder surface. Maybe somebody else can explain better.



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Brown Dirt Cowboy

01-14-2004 09:37:40




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding rods in reply to Nominday, 01-13-2004 19:59:52  
If the refrigerator door has a good seal you shouldn't need to worry about moisture. I have kept my welding rods in the fridge for years. Tom



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Mac

01-14-2004 11:34:30




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Effect of moisture on welding in reply to Brown Dirt Cowboy, 01-14-2004 09:37:40  
Fridge deal worked for us, but of course disconnect the compresssor.



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