7018AC on DC?

[youngnstudly]

So I bought a bunch of welding supplies on Friday for my new Everlast, and I just noticed that what I thought was plain 7018 is really 7018AC. I bought a 10# box of this rod and grabbed the first box on the shelf labeled 7018, which had a sticker bar code covering the end of the box. Of course I assumed it was 7018 even though I know better than to assume, but you know how it goes when buying supplies for a new welder on a Friday afternoon. The old "Kid in a candy store" feeling takes over!

Will this rod work okay with my 160STH (it's not an AC welder)? I will be welding hobby type stuff and making repairs, and I don't see any bridge building in my future or terribly critical welding being done. One source online says that the AC rod needs to be used as "AC only" , and another source lists this rod as being "versatile" and "works well on AC or DC." Thanks for your input.

[Rambozo]

I've used a few brands of E7018AC on DC with no issues. The labels I have handy say AC or DC+. What brand did you get?

[youngnstudly]

I bought Radnor brand electrodes (most of their supplies in the store were that same brand). I guess I'll give these 7018's a shot. I knew I wouldn't be able to return them if I removed the shrink wrap from the box, but I think they'll work fine for me. Airgas didn't impress me at all (certainly not enough to become my local welding supply store). They were cool about giving me a student discount and I bought my Argon bottle from them, but selection was very limited and prices were extremely high (IMO).

I paid $47.00(!!!) for a 10 pack of 2% thoriated tungsten, a pound of stainless 1/16" rod was $18.38, and the 150CF Argon bottle was $300 (filled), which was within $10 of 4 other welding shops in the county. Since I walked out of the store 8 minutes after closing time, those guys rushed me through and I didn't get a chance to go over my receipt while in the store. I usually end up getting (reamed) buying anything local here in the "whine country", but I know the next time I need that particular item, at least I have a brand name and the general details of what I want (and can then order the item online at a much cheaper price). I hate buying the wrong thing online and waiting a week for it to show up, only to find out it's not what I wanted! Anyways....

[Rambozo]

Those are some crazy prices. Even for Airgas. BTW Radnor is the "house brand" for Airgas. Most of it is just repackaged other brands.

[SeanMurphy265]

7018ac runs like a champ from inverter welders. I run it more than any other rod.

[youngnstudly]

Those are some crazy prices. Even for Airgas. BTW Radnor is the "house brand" for Airgas. Most of it is just repackaged other brands.

I walked out of the store with a bill for $525 and was completely blown away! I went home and checked down the list to see just how pricey they were...then I went online to see what prices were there, and low and behold, name brand items from numerous online welding supply places were much more reasonable! Now I know the reason behind their merchandise having no prices on it in the store! Missing on my attached receipt pics is the $31.00 charge for the 7018AC rods, and a $11.95 hazmat flat fee (they got cut off the page). Then of course State tax, County tax, and District tax. Surprised they didn't charge me for driving a truck with four tires and blue paint! Thankfully I was put on a student discount account (NOT!)!

All I got for my money was a (filled) 150CF Argon bottle, the 220 male plug for my welder, the female (mate) 220v receptacle for a future 110v-220v conversion cord, 2lbs. of stainless 308L, 2lbs. of ER705-2, a 10 pack of tungsten, 2 ceramic torch cups, 10lbs of 7018ac, and one previously opened and "discounted" (term used loosely here!) pack of 3 cast iron electrodes! The manager said he would give me a "awesome deal" on a 250CF Argon bottle for $390 filled, but I was worried about having to revive my credit card after it flat-lined (while also having to replace my broken back after lifting that bottle into and out of the truck by myself)! The sad part is that I called all of their competitors and was quoted $400 for a 250CF bottle (that was the next cheapest price). None of the other places had half of the items I wanted either, which means I would have needed to shop from store to store...I hate doing that, especially at $3.80 per gallon of gas, and no income! My welding projects will keep me from going crazy though, so I guess I can't put a price on that. I hate getting ripped off from shopping and supporting local stores!

[youngnstudly]

7018ac runs like a champ from inverter welders. I run it more than any other rod.

I am happy to hear this! I can't think of many projects where I will be using much of this rod, so I too will be running it more than any other rod (I'm not buying any more rod until this stuff runs out! haha). I do have future plans to build an offset vise though, and there's a "bit" of welding on that project.

[cbmkr]

7018 AC will burn fine on DC the pics posted of stick welding with the 200DX was with some old 7018 AC rod i had.

Bottle fill price does vary depending on where you exchange, If i exchange my bottle here at the local farm store it is approx $51.00 w/sales tax for a 122 cu ft argon. If i drive 38 miles to North Kansas City it is $28.80 w/tax

[zedron]

Bottle price does vary by location adn also supplier. I currently get my gas from Matheson Tri-gas and pay $30 for a 330 cf bottle. I was paying close to $50 when I was getting it from Airgas.