Thread: Electrode brands

I love kobelco rods some of the best ive used not that says much

Originally Posted by sacc51

I was looking on ebay and came across some electrode brands I'm not familiar with: Kobelco, Hampdon, Ross, Gemi. Anybody use these rods? Good, bad?

I moved the post as it is more relative to welding strand.

Kobelco, Excellent LLyods register quality -
Hampton, Hampton have an online welding supply business so my guess they are re branded -not used them
Ross, Ditto re branded for JW Ross flogs welders so it could be re- branded electrodes but definitely manufactured by someone else -not used them
Gemi.(possibly Gemini) wide range of them and available in 1.6 and 2mm diameter for those whose enjoy welding shim metal. Actually work pretty good on 1.6 box section.

Grahame

Kobelco and Gemini I've used no problems at all especially the gemini stainless ,Another good brand is magmaweld their Esr11 leaves Cigwelds Satincraft for dead and is about 30% cheeper ,I haven't used the other ones

I took a punt on some Chinese rods from an Ebay seller at Emu Plains in Sydney. They were 6012,general purpose steel electrodes. 5kg box 2.5 X 350mm long @ $17 odd for the pack. Postage was another $12,I think. Well I was surprised just how well they performed. Very easy to strike and keep a good weld going and easy to restart. I compared them with some WIA rods I had and they are as good as each other. I built some trusses for a carport using 50 X 50 X 4mm RHS and the rods "glued" them together with no trouble. The only down side, if thats what it is, they have a not so nice smelling fume that comes away while welding. No drama but just not real pleasant.

Sounds like these:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Welding-R...item4d35987b0a

In these days where every dollar counts some off these Non Major Brand electrodes will do the job and do it well.

I have some that are several years old and were stored in some PVC downpipe and are still usable. Lid on PVC container was loose and were affected by moisture ,so I had to rewarm them in SWMBO's gas oven for 1 hr at 100 degrees and what she does not know won't hurt her- though it might hurt me if she finds out - so mums the word. Wrap them in foil.

An ISO9001 certification and /or mention of Llyods of London register standard are good sign if mentioned on the packet.

It means the electrodes are made to certifiable standard and are suitable for what most of us are using them for.

I have a couple of packets of cheapies, 2 and 2.5s. They are a bugger to strike, tend to leave a lot of inclusions and are no good for positional welding. I intended using them for tacking but their difficult striking characteristics make them impractical for that. I welded some 1.6mm duragal with 2.5 Lincoln Easy Arcs today, not a bad rod but I'd prefer 2s for this job, the 2.5s leave too much metal to remove. I haven't come across any decent 2s yet only the cheapies. Once upon a time I could run a good weld with the cheapies but lack of practice has made my welding terrible so I need all the help I can get in the form of good rods - either that or a good file. And to think I used to work as a welder.

sacc51

Theres even a few "good brands" that can be difficult to strike'

Whats works for me is a piece of 75mm x 50mm x 3mm mild steel plate that is attached to the A section earth return clamp bolt.

Strike the rod first to arc it and run it a few seconds and while the rod end is still red hot make your tack/start weld.

I will post a pic tomorrow.

Grahame

Hi all
This replaceable tab connected by the clamp bolt, works as a striking plate.
This plate serves to allow striking your arc on the plate to clean the end of the electrode. When the red hot end of your electrode is restruck immediately,an arc strike/start follows.

Nothing looks worse the a bunch of arc strikes all over the earth clamp or the steel bench top or worse the job itself.

Hope it helps.
Grahame