Stick Electrode Ratings by Brand / MFG ? Favorites / Bummers

[ryanjones2150]

There are a few rods that I really like to use from some of the maintenance rod companies, but the stuff is so expensive it makes it cost prohibitive most of the time. <br />
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Castolin eutectic might be considered a premium brand, but that's probably because of their price tag. They also make quite a bit of rod for other companies to brand for themselves. They're more of a specialty type of company I think. Fancy schmancy stuff.

[Olivero]

You had mentioned Anchor in any earlier post, I believe it is a Chinese brand / or of Chinese manufacture. Do you find any differences between Anchor and the US made brands you mentioned above?

PSCampSr

No, not really. Any rod I picked up, the only problem was poor pep or poor performance, as soon as its set up right, any rod I used has run just fine. I would pick Lincoln or Esab over Anchor just because they are bigger and probably more refined but then again that's just an opinion.

Are you not able to run a certain rod or some rods just don't run good in your hand? or are you just collecting opinions?

[PSCampSr]

I wanted to collect opinions and start a discussion that may be of interest to others. As I mentioned earlier, I keep seeing what appear to be really low prices for off name rods. Since I am retired money is not as loose as it was when there was plenty coming in, I need to make it count. Blue Demon is one of the brands that seems to be very competitively priced, but is it a value or a waste of money?

[OscarJr]

I wanted to collect opinions and start a discussion that may be of interest to others. As I mentioned earlier, I keep seeing what appear to be really low prices for off name rods. Since I am retired money is not as loose as it was when there was plenty coming in, I need to make it count. Blue Demon is one of the brands that seems to be very competitively priced, but is it a value or a waste of money?

I'll help you out. I have some Blue Demon 6013 in 5/64". I remember it welding alright. Want me to weld up a joint?

[Olivero]

Got ya. Well looks like its on the right track.

[Newfie_1986]

Anchor is a China-based mfg'er.: http://anchorwelding.en.hisupplier.com/ . Whether or not they are good, I have yet to find out since I can get Lincoln Electrodes at my Home Depot stupid cheap in the 50lb tin cans.

My LWS keeps touting Böhler as a great European welding wire mfg'er, but I've also heard the contrary here and there on the forums. One stick electrode mfg'er I do consistently hear with a bad rap is the Radnor house-brand from Airgas. One off-brand I have used is "Blue Demon", because I wanted something in 5/64", but didn't want to pay a large price-to-pound cost, and their 5lb packs are priced good on Ebay. They ran fine from what I remember. I also have lots of TIG rods by Blue Demon, and for my hot-rod projects at home, they run just fine.

Bohler is a great rod. My CST loves them. Nice puddle, easy to run out of position. The slag peels itself off most times if I do my part right. They are now my favorite rod.