G'day Vm
When containers are punctured or opened, low hydrogen electrodes may pick up moisture. Depending upon the amount of moisture, it will damage weld quality in the following ways:
1. A greater amount of moisture in low hydrogen electrodes may cause porosity. Detection of this condition requires x-ray inspection or destructive testing. If the base metal or weld metal exceeds 80,000 psi (550 MPa) yield strength, this moisture may contribute to under-bead or weld cracking.
2. A relatively high amount of moisture in low hydrogen electrodes causes visible external porosity in addition to internal porosity. It also may cause excessive slag fluidity, a rough weld surface, difficult slag removal, and cracking.
3. Severe moisture pickup can cause weld cracks in addition to under-bead cracking, severe porosity, poor appearance and slag problems.
Drying low hydrogen electrodes in an oven before use serves several important purposes that help mitigate the problems associated with moisture contamination:
Damp or wet low hydrogen welding rods can make it significantly harder to start the arc during the welding process.
I keep welding rods inside in a dry cupboard ,if I do get some that were stored in a shed I would put them in the oven because they get hard to
start if they have moisture in them.
AS for good arc welders, I prefer
CIG / Esab ,Esseti ,Thor ,Miller ,Hobart ,Lincoln ,Fronius ,Kemppi ,Everlast , Hypertherm ,Weldpro
Ozito is known for producing budget-friendly tools and equipment, including welders, which can make them appealing for DIY enthusiasts and occasional users.
I burnt out 3 new Ozito corded Chainsaws and seen a corded drill and a corded circular saw burn out the first day they were used.
I see Ozito thrown out a lot and one look at them and you can smell the burnt electrics in them.
Having said that some people can overheat any power tool as I've also seen overheated Bosch ,Skil ,Black and Decker etc.
Some drills don't last long drilling red gum posts .
Cheers
Max
