7014 electrode storage and life?

[canoetrpr]

Just saw the TSC flyer for stores around here and Lincoln electrodes are 50 % off on a clearout.

I was thinking of buying a 10lb of 7014s since the small 1lb boxes are sooooo much more expensive. Just wanted to ensure that they are not like the 7018s that require special storage. Can I stores these on a plastic rod holder? I imagine that I will use them up over the next 1.5 year or so.

[JimDon]

Unopened boxes are supposedly OK to store at room temp. Open boxes are to be stored at 150-200 degrees F.
Jim Don

[Sberry]

Yes they will be good for a couple years, I got some rods on my service truck 10 yrs old and still use them. You can use old 7018 or hasnt been stored correctly for that matter in a lot of cases. 1000's of them used every day all over the world.

[canoetrpr]

Hmm.. I wonder if I was being paranoid about 7018s?? I'd sure like to get a box of them at discount... but I think it will be probably 1-2 years before I use them up. Maybe I should pick a box of them up too.

I guess I better line myself up a few projects once I get reasonably capable.

This welding stuff is getting kinda addictive. I've caught myself wondering how nice a Hobart 187 or a 210 would be as replacement or a complement to my Hobart Stickmate :-) I could probably sell my Stickmate for what I paid for it used and use the money towards a new 210... hmm. Then again, best hang on to the Stickmate long term and if I get into it add a a MIg.

I don't think I can anywhere near justify spending another dollar yet anyway but mig welds sure do look nice.

[Sberry]

paranoid,, maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of issues but for mild steel, non critical structural work, general misc stuff on mild steel almost any rod you can pick up and get to burn is going to work. Proper storage is a must for highly stressed, impact resistant, multiple pass, thick section, cold temps, maybe some other factors that don't come to mind at the moment. Ok, add higher carbon steels to the list too.