Welding 7018 with a buzz box

[rusted nuts]

Yes you can run 7018 with a buzz box IF you have a OLD one with copper wireing. Can't see as well as I used to, So the welds not as good as I could do in my younger days. These are going to be engine mounts for a diesel engine.

 

[rusted nuts]

More pic.





 

[leroy in ne]

have run regular 7018 on my 1940's ac welder but have found 7018AC which is designed for ac runs very well, almost like 6013 for ease. it's a little higher priced than 7018 leroy
 

[Super Steve]

do you buy electrical tape in bulk?
 

[Chris(WA)]

I second the 7018 AC rod on an AC machine. MUCH better welds.
 

[rusted nuts]

Yeah I do. When you get to be old ya learn that it makes em good as new.
 

[rusted nuts]

This rod is bout 2 years old should of dry it out 1st. makes a big driffent on how it welds.
 

[rick1]

try to keep your rods in air tight containers and you will make better welds.
RICK
 

[rusted nuts]

Your 100% right.
 

[showcrop]

I have used 7018 with my old buzz box. It can be a pain in the butt unless it is heavy material using a lot of heat like you show there and then it goes OK.
 

[RodinNS]

I dare say just about any 1/8" rod is going to burn on the ole thing at 180 amps. The challenge would be to make it burn at 120 amps. That will require a 7018AC... and they work good too.

Rod
 

[Stick welding]

The Lincoln welder you showed doesn't have copper wiring, they never did according to Stan who e-mailed Lincoln asking that exact question. Even then, copper wires wouldn't make the welder weld differently. They might heat up easier over time but won't affect the welding enough you would notice a difference. The AC7018 make it easier but someone with a steady hand and the right brand of regular 7018 can weld it at the correct amps on a buzz box. A Lincoln buzz box is one of the easier AC machines to weld with as some machines are difficult to weld using 7018. The older Miller Thunderbolt's seem to have trouble holding a steady arc with regular 7018 in my experience. I didn't have too much of a problem with an early 80's AC225 Lincoln.
 

[rusted nuts]

Thanks.
 

[Richard G.]

I have been using 7018AC on my 225 Lincoln to weld the thick springs on my son's Great Plains drill for several years. Saves him over $100 each time I do one. I set it about 120 and take my time and makes a very strong weld.
Picture of one before grinding the weld smooth.
Richard in NW SC

 

[Super Steve]

my cables looked the same but they got to the point there was no more places to put tape so i broke down and bought new ones