Repackaged 7018 bulk rods

[farmersamm]

I was talking to the guy that owns the supply I trade with about the subject.

He told me that they used to repackage bulk rods in plastic bags in order to hold the price down. They could buy bulk quite a bit cheaper. This way they could sell pound packs at a good price.

He had to quit because of some sort of rule(I didn't ask, I'm assuming either a govt' ruling, or the result of a lawsuit that resulted in possible liability for all sellers).

A seller can't repackage rods because it makes him the same as a manufacturer of said rod.

He said that they would get a box, break it down, and package the entire contents at once. It wasn't packaged little by little.

Just what I heard.:waving:

[Jamie Webb]

As a welding inspector and supervisor of welders who weld on critical parts, I would be VERY worried about buying repackaged rods. Saving a few cents a pound is not worth knowing the things we weld on could break or explode and kill someone.

If you are just farm welding, most likely you will never see the difference. If you are welding in any type of industry you are most likely welding according to one or more codes that are very strict on how 7018 (and all low hydrogen rods) are stored.

[farmersamm]

As a welding inspector and supervisor of welders who weld on critical parts, I would be VERY worried about buying repackaged rods. Saving a few cents a pound is not worth knowing the things we weld on could break or explode and kill someone.

If you are just farm welding, most likely you will never see the difference. If you are welding in any type of industry you are most likely welding according to one or more codes that are very strict on how 7018 (and all low hydrogen rods) are stored.

What I really found interesting, after talking to the guy, and coming home to do a little reading on it, was just how uncertain the specs are for low hydrogen welds. (This is from a passage in Lincoln's Bible).

The jist of it was- That although engineers routinely spec this type of rod(and apparently it's not always necessary), very little attention is payed to specing how the weld is to be made. Apparently lo hi rods can be crap if not used right, or under the right conditions. And I'm not just talking about baking them well done in the oven.

I'm sippin' some suds right now, and in no mood to dig out the book, but I'll do it in the morning. I was surprised by what I read. To me, someone who doesn't do this kind of welding, it was really an eye opener.

[weldbead]

i been lookin at mechanical and structural drawings for 35 years and cant remember the engineer who could even get close to the correct welding symbols, or have a clue what was needed. they rely heavily on the welders experience and the inspectors to get something built that will be sound..... my 2 cents..

[Jamie Webb]

What I really found interesting, after talking to the guy, and coming home to do a little reading on it, was just how uncertain the specs are for low hydrogen welds. (This is from a passage in Lincoln's Bible).

The jist of it was- That although engineers routinely spec this type of rod(and apparently it's not always necessary), very little attention is payed to specing how the weld is to be made. Apparently lo hi rods can be crap if not used right, or under the right conditions. And I'm not just talking about baking them well done in the oven.

ASME and AWS are VERY specific on how they must be made, tested, and stored. But those codes are not online.

[Jamie Webb]

i been lookin at mechanical and structural drawings for 35 years and cant remember the engineer who could even get close to the correct welding symbols, or have a clue what was needed. they rely heavily on the welders experience and the inspectors to get something built that will be sound..... my 2 cents..

I disagree. Why would an engineer risk his career and certifications "guessing" at a weld and HOPING the welder puts enough on it or does it right?

I get the feeling you have not worked closely with many real engineers. Just my 2 cents.

[JohnnyO333]

I'm new here so don't want to step on anyone's toes but - I work with Engineers on a daily basis. Im a field operations manager for a tower construction company. We do nothing but structural upgrades / mods / anchor change-outs etc for broadcast towers around the country.

MANY of the engineers we work with are complete idiots as to the symbols or what type of weld is required on A36 grade steel. It's my responsibility and that of the welding / fabrication shops around the country to see to it that we know what we need and how it's to be done.

I have to agree with MOST Engineers are idiots..........

Just my .02cents worth.

JohnnyO

[Oldiron2]

Back to the original point, my local shops have said the same thing about repackaging, or selling smaller amounts from open boxes, no matter what the designation is. Forty years ago, I used to be able to get a few pounds of hardfacing or try some cutting rod I'd read about, without buying a whole box; not any longer. I'd guess it was probably lawsuits, but State/Fed. regulations about Hazmat notifications might have been the cause too.
Twenty years ago, I got one opened 50# can of 7018, and another unopened 50# (I forget what of) can ---from a dumpster I checked while helping a friend with some refrigeration work. Wonder what OSHA rule I broke by taking them out again?