Weld full of holes?

[steve202]

Used a few rods of unknown origin. 'They' produced real crap welds I usually get pretty good welds with the arc, so I assume its the rods? They were dull grey and looked like volcanic rock they were so full of holes! Rods?

 

[irondarren]

6013's? did they have any markings on them. I used to mess around with poor rods, weldabilty, boc everyday rods, not total rubbish but not far from it. The occasional vodex for positional work.Just bought some esab ok45.00 6013 rods, lovely rods in all positions, produce real nice flat beads when doing fillet and butt welds, far more expensive than the rubbish rods but work the money. no more cheap rods for me lol

 

[steve202]

just looked at them closely, theres 6013 on there in red ink. the rods are greenish/blue in colour.

What is 6013? They to be avoided then?

Cheers!

 

[irondarren]

6013's are normal mild steel rods, it could be they are damp that might be why you get holes in the welds, put them in the oven for 1/2 hr at 150 degrees centigrade, that should dry them out, then try welding with them see what they are like

 

[steve202]

Will do. My rods are kept in a filing cab drawer in an outhouse connected to the house but still can get damp, so probably definitely not the best place for them. Ill dry them out and retry. nice one.

 

[shenion]

Did you mean the weld is full of holes or the rods?

I find with 6013's, if I don't keep the gap short and the current up, you will get not clear the slag out of the way. Ends up with bug holes and uneven welds.

Post some picts. You might try increasing the current.

 

[irondarren]

some 6013's are very difficult to weld unless you are perfectly positioned, slag inclusions a plenty. Been using the esab 6013's, seems you can use as much bad technic as you like and still get a good weld

 

[steve202]

The weld was full of holes, shenion. Looked very brittle too.

 

[steve202]

seems you can use as much bad technic as you like and still get a good weld

that'll do me!