Coating electrodes

[Kram]

I was reading a page about old electrodes and how they used to make them with saw dust, wrapped in paper. I expect modern electrodes are greatly improved, particually the low hydrogen types.

Its often hard to get small qualtities of special purpose types so I am wondering if I can break the flux off of a good rod, break it up into a powder and coat my choice of electrode.

As an example, I found it very useful to tig weld HSS to make cutting edges on tools. It would be useful if I could do this without an argon refill - as it never seems to last long!

Ideas welcome, I have a bottle of sodium silicate which I imagine could make a good binder for the flux powder.

 

[Erie Fred]

I thought the same a few years ago, figured I could try a mix of sodium silicate & water in the powdered flux.
I wanted to take 6011 rod, and add 7014 layer on the outside, making it a double coated rod.

 

[Kram]

Interesting, did you try it, what were the results?

 

[Erie Fred]

Interesting, did you try it, what were the results?

Naw...never did.
I wanted the strong digging action of 6011, along with the nice heavy slag & nice welds of 7014.

 

[frank horton]

for small quantities of specialist rods, St/ST hardfacing etc....most tractor parts stores stock em...
here norm rods can be bought in 1'ns or 5's.....were always asked when we buy a full packet if we really need that many.....hahaha

 

[oldbikedavey]

The bulk of the coating, I seem to remember, is limestone , which would make a lot of sense.....

 

[premmington]

for small quantities of specialist rods, St/ST hardfacing etc....most tractor parts stores stock em...
here norm rods can be bought in 1'ns or 5's.....were always asked when we buy a full packet if we really need that many.....hahaha

I reckon I have thrown more MMA welding rods out - than I have used over the years.

I have tried storing them dry - tried re drying them (and had some horrific results).


Buying just what you need for the task in hand - is the best plan

 

[Barking Mat]

I reckon I have thrown more MMA welding rods out - than I have used over the years.

I have tried storing them dry - tried re drying them (and had some horrific results).


Buying just what you need for the task in hand - is the best plan

Yep, we used to buy 5kg boxes, even cling filming them doesn't seem to work, for occasional use we just buy small packs now.

 

[Pete.]

If TechnicaAl Were around he could give you chapter and verse on what you can do - and why not

 

[Kram]

Theres also the special stainless fluxes. I dont know what magic they contain but I love how, with adequate eye protection, the slag is self cleaning and pings off as it cools. This may be the best choice for what I want..

My primary interest in this is to use 2-3mm rods of HSS to make cutting edge tools. I've not seen HSS rods, not for stick or tig - and tig does work very well. I am suprised there are not more tools made this way.

As for sourcing the HSS, its a bit of a pain to reuse short drill bits for tig. Drill blanks are similarly short. The best I can find so far are 2mm thick strips which will need to be sliced into rods.

 

[Erie Fred]

Theres also the special stainless fluxes. I dont know what magic they contain but I love how, with adequate eye protection, the slag is self cleaning and pings off as it cools. This may be the best choice for what I want..

My primary interest in this is to use 2-3mm rods of HSS to make cutting edge tools. I've not seen HSS rods, not for stick or tig - and tig does work very well. I am suprised there are not more tools made this way.

As for sourcing the HSS, its a bit of a pain to reuse short drill bits for tig. Drill blanks are similarly short. The best I can find so far are 2mm thick strips which will need to be sliced into rods.

One of the old Lincoln books showed hardfacing with IIRC HSS rod.
They made a lathe stick tool from carbon steel and then hardfaced the end, ground to shape and then
used it like conventional HSS tools.