[mig_man_6]

hey people just wondering what all you think is the best 7018 electrode for mild steel pipe in terms of stable arc , puddle control , bead appearance

and what size you use for your fill + cap , 2.5mm / 3.2mm

thanks

[AKweldshop]

hey people just wondering what all you think is the best 7018 electrode for mild steel pipe in terms of stable arc , puddle control , bead appearance

and what size you use for your fill + cap , 2.5mm / 3.2mm

thanks

I'm guessing since you use metric your across the pond from the USA?

In my opinion, Lincoln makes the best rods, but you guys over there probably do not have them available.

[weldin mike 27]

Or possibly Australia. If so, Kobe lbu or WIA 18 tt

[mig_man_6]

yeh im across the pond in the uk cant get excaliburs unless buy em from usa , dont lnow if any f you have heard of oerlikon or bohler thyssen wondered if anyones tried there 7018 , ive got some lincoln conarc 49c they arnt bad , just for pack rods in uk brand names expensive for doin trial and error lol

thanks

[weldin mike 27]

Bohler, ESAB should be pretty good. I would say that there would be a lot of Euro stuff that is excellent. They have had heavy industry there for an awfully long time.

[plain ol Bill]

Esab Atom Arc.

[taz]

Electrode preference is something personal and it also depends on your machine. Most welding machines seem to work better with some electrodes than others.
I know guys that love Boehler EV50, ESAB 48.00, ESAB 55.00 etc, at the same time others hate them.
I find ESAB 48.00 very easy to work with (however they are 7018, not 7018-1 so you can't always use them)

[Nome27]

I agree with the previous post, electrode preference is personal and depends on your machine, buy a few differnt brands run some passes and play with the amps a little bit and see which one gives you the best results. Personaly i like excaliburs but thats just me but it is also good to be comfortable with running multiple brands.

[BIGTIME]

Esab is by far the best rod I have ever used.

[Poland308]

I don't know if there better but the esab rods do seem more concistant from batch to batch.