Slag trouble with 7018 while welding

[EASTEXWELD]

Yes, you read it right. I have a 1969 red-face that I recently tuned up thanks to a forum member.

So the issue I'm having is that when I'm welding 7018 in DCEP polarity, running in 3rd gear (190-120) and about 70 in the fine current, the molten slag tends to go to the front of the arc. I try to hold a tighter arc and it seems to work a bit but the slag still goes to the front of the weld arc and often time pops like a bubble. When I chip off the slag, I see no porosity on the weld bead. Not sure if it needs more tuning since I got it to recommended spec and the 6010 rods work very well....So why is the 7018 rod not welding well?? Any advice?

·The box it came in was from victory welding alloys and it says it can be run in DC or AC
·Yes I tried to increase the amps, but it just makes the molten slag go crazy.
·I noticed that sparks fly out just like 6010, but not too exaggerated.

[snoeproe]

What size rods you running? What position? Your running at around 170 amps

[EASTEXWELD]

What size rods you running? What position? Your running at around 170 amps

Flat Position 1/8 7018 Rod

[gnforge]

Running to hot. Try 115 to 130 amps. <br />
Max for 1/8 rod 165 but for most rare to run near max.

[snoeproe]

130 max for flat position 7018
electrode angle while welding is important as well as arc length.

[EASTEXWELD]

Running to hot. Try 115 to 130 amps. <br />
Max for 1/8 rod 165 but for most rare to run near max.

Even when I lower my fine current down to 35, it just looks like it runs cold, not much metal is being deposited. So I ran it in between 70 and 40 on the fine current and it just looks like there is not enough arc force to push that slag back.

[EASTEXWELD]

130 max for flat position 7018
electrode angle while welding is important as well as arc length.

Hmmm....perhaps I should try 2nd Gear (130-80) Amps and 80 on the fine current for a lower amperage since third gear is too hot. But I just have a feeling that I don't have enough arc force to push back the slag. Should I just preheat the weld rods? (Even before when welding wet 7018 rods I never had that problem) Maybe buy a different brand of 7018 rods like Excalibur brand from Lincoln or Hobart? I just hope to god I don't have to tune up the red-face again😥

[snoeproe]

If your electrode angle and arc length is correct, the slag should rise up behind your arc as the puddle solidifies.
It sounds to me like your not able to see what the puddle is doing and adjusting accordingly?

[ShieldArc]

Try a different brand of rod.

[duaneb55]

I typically run 1/8" 7018 in 2nd/70 and adjust from there.

Are you pushing or dragging?

[EASTEXWELD]

If your electrode angle and arc length is correct, the slag should rise up behind your arc as the puddle solidifies.
It sounds to me like your not able to see what the puddle is doing and adjusting accordingly?

I can see the puddle, but within seconds it starts to get overwhelmed with slag.

[EASTEXWELD]

Try a different brand of rod.

I am going to order some Excalibur 7018, heard good things about it. Even the Hobart rods.

[EASTEXWELD]

I typically run 1/8" 7018 in 2nd/70 and adjust from there.

Are you pushing or dragging?

Dragging in the flat Position with an angle.
(And to anyone who asks, yes I have welded 7018 before using shorthoods, millers and Lincoln's. Have welded on pipe on both 5G and 6G. Why this is happening with the red face is beyond me, maybe it doesn't like it's new owner 😂&#128514

[duaneb55]

How long have you had the red face? Could be it was flashed backwards and you're actually welding EN when you think you're EP. Has happened before.

If you have a VOM, with the black (-) test lead on the NEG weld output stud and the red (+) on the POS, if the meter displays a "-" sign in front of the voltage value the machine output is backwards.

Has anyone jacked with the brush rack setting?

[EASTEXWELD]

How long have you had the red face? Could be it was flashed backwards and you're actually welding EN when you think you're EP. Has happened before.

If you have a VOM, with the black (-) test lead on the NEG weld output stud and the red (+) on the POS, if the meter displays a "-" sign in front of the voltage value the machine output is backwards.

Has anyone jacked with the brush rack setting?

·I've had this red-face for a year now, and only used 6010 rods with it, and a couple times with the 7018...I have noticed the trouble with 7018 but I figured maybe I was running too cold.

·Thanks for the tip with the VOM, I don't have one but I will get one soon and see if it's backwards.

·To my knowledge, I don't think anyone has jacked with the brush rack settings. The guy I bought it from said he had the machine wired from a well known welder machine tech. And had refurbished a few things in the machine.