Welding rod ID Quad steel 94

[wdbtchr]

I have a box of welding rods that were in some miscellaneous junk I got at a state surplus sale. The only markings on the rods is "Quad Steel 94". No markings or brand on the plastic box they're in. Anyone have any idea what these are for? I haven't found anything doing an internet search.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Might try asking over on Weldingweb.com or metalmeet.com. Pretty smart cookies over there.

 

[wdbtchr]

Thanks, that was kinda what I was lookin' for, someone smarter than me.

 

[Westex]

The "quad" designation means nothing more than the "pack", or package in which they were sold. The '94' designation means it is either a cast iron or nickel rod. The fact that it has the designation 'steel' on it tells me it is probably a nickel rod. Also, the fact that the rods are in a plastic case as you describe tell me it's nickel rods. But I'm not sure here. Best way is to burn one. If you have nickel rods, which I think you do, you have some fantastic rods if they are serviceable. But if they turn out to be cast iron rods, don't weld steel with them! Best I can do. Burn one with a DC if you can and see if it's shiny; if so: Nickel.

 

[Westex]

I went and looked at some old rods out in the barn after posting. I think, as an update, you have some high grade cast iron alloy rods. They are not something to run on steel. The alloy is nickel. But again, you never know 'till you burn one.

 

[wdbtchr]

Thanks! That's more information than I had. They appear to be in good shape the flux is dry and not flaky. It just so happens I have a huge old vise with a cracked base and a DC welder made from an old aircraft genorator. Might as well give it a try and see what happens.

 

[[486]]

I've got a question of the same sort, may as well put it in an existing thread so people can easily find it with the search function...

My dad picked up some welding rods in a surplus store in the late '90s, they are steel I think with a dark gray flux, and they are 1/8". The only marking on them is "4130" They do not seem to want to run in AC at a reasonable amperage.

I've just been using them for cutting with the machine on max amps [250A], but if they are identifiable as something semi-useful then I'd have to stop wasting them on cutting...
Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[wdbtchr]

It's not listed in my book, but then a lot aren't. However if they sputer and pop and drop the arc then they're probably DC only rods.

 

[rickf]

Thanks! That's more information than I had. They appear to be in good shape the flux is dry and not flaky. It just so happens I have a huge old vise with a cracked base and a DC welder made from an old aircraft genorator. Might as well give it a try and see what happens.

If you are going to try to weld the vise you will need some serous preheat. The whole area you are going to weld will need to be heated up to around 500 degrees.