Rusty Steel Tig Rods

[shaun]

I have some steel tig rods that are starting to get some rust on them not real bad but they are not shiny like when I bought them. What is the best way to clean them up and are they still ok to use?

[JolietJames]

The guys in our local welding school use a scouring pad and/or acetone to clean their tig rods.
There may be a better answer from the more experienced tig guys here though, that's just what I've seen used.

[SICFabrications]

i've never had the problem of any of my filler metals getting rusty.... i found an old fridge, took the compressor n all out of it, cut a hole in the back and put a heat lamp in it..... keeps the moisture off the filler, also, if youve never had the opportunity to run a pre-heated 7018 rod, you truly are missing out on life!

[WookieWelding]

yup preheated 7018 runs nicely

[shaun]

What is the difference? Does preheated have better penatration or just burn smoother with a good bead? And how long do you have to preheat the rod at what temp? I was just wondering. Thanks.

[SICFabrications]

there is actually a chart that you can find with a simple google search that gives the reclaim and maintain temps for low hydrogen rods (7018, 8018, 11018 etc...)

i also want you to understand the fridge with a heat lamp IS NOT to be confused for a true rod oven and maintaining temps for code work, nor can it be used as a reclaim oven.... just sayin


the difference is not necessarily better penetration, but a better bead with better tie-in and wetting in the toes. when the rods are right, the metal is right, the travel speed and amperage are right, then the 7018 weld will turn a blue-ish gold color and the slag will start peeling off before you even get done with the weld

[Tritium]

And all this time I thought "Hot Rod" referred to a fast car .

Thurmond