[jturn361]

I have some 1/8" 7018 that have been open to the humid air for a long time.
What do you recommend the minimum time in a drying oven before use?
Thank you,
Jim

[Artie F. Emm]

Hey, Jim, welcome to the forum!

Here's a link to a Lincoln website that discusses storage and reconditioning of electrodes.
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/su ... etail.aspx

Note the reconditioning temperature of 7018s is 650* - 750* F.

Are you doing code work? If you're just getting the electrodes back to useable so you can weld something non-critical, you don't need to follow code reconditioning techniques.

[Louie1961]

Just to expand on what Dave said, if it is not code work or something mission critical, I would not bother with drying them at all. I buy 7018's from TSC that come in a cardboard box and have never been dry. I have had the current box for over a year now and they still weld fine.

[Homemade]

If it’s damp to the point that the flux if falling off, there beyond revival. If your just looking to refresh them, but not up to code without using a rod oven. Find a old cookie sheet. Lay the rods in that and bake them in your grill outside. You should be able to hold 500*F for 10 min or so.

[jturn361]

Thanks to All for the input.
Appreciate your help.
Jim