Clean connections, ground/stinger, heat 90-120 amps on the miller NT 250, polarity was stick positive and is what did the welds above which are not too bad for an inexperienced amateur.
If I use the high end of that setting, the penetration and heat is unreal with 1/8" or 5/32" 7018, it will blow right through thin material with this machine, but you can strike and re-stike this electrode and weld smoothly especially in position all day long with correct heat.
The one thing about these electrodes I have noticed, to re-strike, you have to take the electrode off the stinger, rub it on something rough, knock off the slag on the end, without knocking off too much flux, there is always a coating of slag on the end, it will act like you have no ground, same happens if you arc out on the first strike with a fresh rod, take it out of the stinger, tap or rub off the thin layer of slag and it will re-strike, correct heat and arc distance + all the other correct habits make a big difference, now I can strike and re-strike without losing the arc, and don't waste any part of an electrode. I'm not sure what the pro's do, but on larger jobs, they burn complete electrodes and don't re-strike in the middle, I would imagine the electrodes vary by MFR., but these lincoln electric electrodes always leave a thin layer of slag on the end, one tap and it will re-strike.
Vertical is no doubt harder to learn with 7018, too much heat the puddle can drip off, too little it sticks, but for any easily accessed repairs around the farm, shop, or home, in position looking over the work, if you have enough range on a machine I would think 7018 would be no problem to learn and become satisfied with the results. I've done the trial and error and went through all the sticking, re-strike etc., good learning experience, but once finding the heat range this electrode works well with, all those problems went away.
Thin material is tough for me still with this electrode, really have to be careful, a quick spot weld, then let cool, repeat, works for some things, but on that note, also time to learn to use an electrode or another method better suited for the purpose, as this electrode does not do well without lots of heat.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
