[TheForge] old arc rods, election

Fri Aug 8 02:24:00 2003

Just to confuse things a bit further......
I'm the guy at the auction who buys the rusting pile of cans of leftover 
rods on the pallet for 50 cents. I've burned more junk rod than most by 
a fair margin..which makes me an authority.
But first....is the steel to be welded clean? Several kinds of 
contamination can cause porosity..oil/ grease is a favorite..lead based 
paint sometimes and so on. Next . check your ground connection...and 
while you are at it, unplug that puppy and tighten ( maybe even clean) 
the major connections....they tend to work loose. Also check the 
connections between the cables and the stinger and ground clamp. If 
places on the cables get hot, you have bonus resistance.
6011 and 6013 are generally pretty forgiving. I dry them out  for an 
hour or 2 in a  hot oven...at least 350-400. Clean the rust off the 
ends. ..and they should run OK.
Any rod  that starts with a higher # ( 70, 80, 90 etc) is low hydrogen 
generally, and while you can sometimes get it to run  after it is 
exposed to moisture.... don't trust the stuff for anything structural. 
Welders have told me  they just bake the hell out of it and it is OK 
but  I wouldn't use it for anything important.
Sealing rods up in a plastic bag is not an adaquate moisture barrier for 
more than a few days.
For decorative stuff, bulk filler with little structural import and rude 
assemblage sculpture, I'll use anything that will run...crank up the 
amps and burn little holes in your shirt. Wonder if I spend on shirts 
what I save on rods?

RE the election;...I like and admire George  Dixon and his work..would 
be pleased to call him a friend. He sure isn't stupid. A high talent 
guy. Also want to point out that when he was running  the  Hammer's 
Blow..it was the best it has been for my taste. Satisfyingly content 
rich. Didn't mind that it might not be on schedule...it was what i 
signed up with ABANANA for... Were it mine to decide , I'd give him a 
budget and let him publish what and when he wanted.
 The smith who didn't want to serve  on a board with him again, ever, 
and said " Doesn't play..."; is some one I know fairly well....pretty 
clear headed and pragmatic , gets along passably with most folks ,gets 
things done. I'll trust their unequivocal opinion on this one.
As for Dorthy, we all owe her.
Erik Lander gets my vote.
Don't know what goes on out east where the rest of you are..I'm just a 
coastal yokel.......Pete

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