[TheForge] Welding rod

[Ray Miller]

Welding electrodes are identified by a 4 number "Code" if its relatively 
recent stuff. Some of the older rods only had brand name identification, 
like JetRod, for Lincoln.

The four numbers are usually something like 6010, or 7024 or something 
like that.

The first two digits are the tensile strength of the material. 60XX is a 
60,000psi tensile strength rod, 70XX, 70,000 psi etc.
The third digit refers to the positions for which the rod is designed, 
 "2" for flat or "1" all position typically.
The last digit is a description of the type of flux coating, usually 1, 
2, 3, or 4. And the fluxes vary from iron powders to clays, and other 
"magical" concoctions. IF you have the rod numbers you can get all the 
info you wnat form your local weld supplier.

Typical rule of thumb on wet rod......."throw it out" Some can be dried, 
but on a limited basis, unless all you want to do is practice making 
porous welds.

Ray
Cincinnati

Walter L. Mullett wrote:

>I've not really learned to use an electric welder before now.  I've always
>forge welded or gas welded.  I had though that I would not be able to use an
>electric welder until I upgraded the power to my barn or shop or found a
>portable unit.   Now that I got this Lincoln so cheap, I'll find a way to
>make it work.  Looks like outside welding with the unit plugged into a 220
>dryer circuit in the basement.  I'll have to mount a post vice outside and
>pull my unit out of storage each time but that will work until I run the
>200' of service I would need to get to the barn.
>
>I've been looking through the 50# of welding rod that I got yesterday.  Some
>of it is identified by being in its original containers but some is loose.
>
>Is there anyway to distinguish what it is?
>
>Some of appears to have gotten wet (white areas).  Is this still usable?  (I
>know I can practice with it.)
>
>Walt
>
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