The best welding electrodes for buyers' reviews

Now in the specialized shops you can easily find many different welding electrodes. They differ from each other not only in their characteristics, but also in their reliability. Unfortunately, very often people buy products that can serve a very short time. Our website seeks to prevent this. Stop wasting your money! Buy a quality product that will be faithful and true serve for a long time. Perhaps you will overpay slightly. But in the end you will understand that in fact you managed to save. In a word, choose those welding electrodes that are mentioned in our today's article.

Welding electrode of which company to choose

Now welding electrodes have learned to manufacture in different countries. They are created in China, Russia, the United States and many other countries. Unfortunately, practice shows that domestic electrodes in terms of quality and other parameters lose to foreign products. And yet progress is noticeable. If this goes on, then in a few years the level of performance will become much higher. Meanwhile, along with the electrodes of Russian companies, we will also recommend products that are distributed under foreign brands - it shows itself in the work, often with a more positive side.

The most popular welding electrodes in Russia under the following trademarks:

1. ESAB-SVEL

2. Kobelco

3. Resanta

4. SSSI

5. Lincoln Electric

Some of these companies specialize in the production of electrodes andwith rutile, and with the main coating. Others create electrodes of strictly the same type.

Best welding electrodes with basic coating

SSSI 13/55

This electrode should be used for DC welding. It is ideal for use in critical areas. It is noted that the welding bath will be reliably protected from exposure to oxygen, for which it is necessary to thank the carbon dioxide released during the burning of the coating. One kilogram of this substance will cost a penny. But you need to take into account that most often electrodes SSSI 13/55 are sold in packages of 3 kg.

The presence of a coating at the same time plays a negative role. The fact is that the product is very difficult to ignite. Some novice welders spend a very long time on this process. Also re-ignition is difficult here. The melt of the coating solidifies and insulates the metal, so it is necessary to clean the end of the electrode. But it should be noted that it is with the help of an electrode with a basic coating that the most durable and esthetic seams are obtained.

Advantages:

• Appearance of slag ulcers in the cooled seam is completely excluded;
• The seam turns out to be aesthetic and very durable;
• The minimum cost of the product;
• Widespread prevalence in specialized stores.

Disadvantages:

• It's hard to kindle;
• Re-ignition is possible only after stripping the electrode end;
• It takes time to get used to the peculiarities of this type of electrodes.

Kobelco LB-52U

This is already very expensive substance, produced in Japan. Descending from the assembly line Kobe Steel, Ltd. The electrode is sold in our country at an inflated cost per 1 kg. In this case, one package usually consists of four to five kilograms of the substance. But this product perfectly copes with the welding of low-carbon steels, where there is no possibility of two-sided welding. In particular, it is these electrodes that are used to make pipes. There are no complaints about the strength of the seam obtained. In many cases, the strength reaches 588 N / mm2, and this is an incredibly high figure.

Of course, the main coating slightly complicates the use of the electrode. Before work it is necessary to make a calcination at a temperature of about 300 ° C.This will remove moisture, resulting in a significant improvement in combustion, and also improve the quality of the seam. And the creators recommend to cook at a constant current. However, the variable can also be used, but then the result of the work will be slightly worse. Advantages:

• The seam is durable and clean;
• Ideal for welding low-carbon steels;
• Easy seam formation in any direction.

Disadvantages:

• Price will not like everyone;
• Calcination is necessary, since the product is sensitive to dumping.

OZL-8

These domestic electrodes are primarily designed for welding steel that has a high content of nickel and chromium. That is, it is these electrodes that need to be cooked with stainless steel. This product imposes one limitation. It is suitable only for welding machines using a constant reverse polarity current. The arc should be short.

If the above conditions are met, the welder will receive a sturdy weld that is not prone to hardening and corrosion. In a word, OZL-8 electrodes perfectly show themselves when working with highly loaded nodes, including those used under conditions of alternating loads. Unfortunately, after welding a certain amount of slag appears on the light. But it is easily separated, you will not spend much time on it. When cooling, the seam does not crack, but it is not necessary to cool it sharply, so that crystallization does not appear, which reduces strength. Like other electrodes with a basic coating, these products require baking at high temperature. This somewhat complicates or, rather, delays the ignition.

Advantages:

• Easy seaming;
• Ideally welds highly loaded components;
• When tearing off, it does not crack;
• Best suited for working with stainless steel.

Disadvantages:

• High cost;
• When wet, the characteristics are seriously deteriorated;
• Restrictions on use are typical for such electrodes.

Best welding electrodes with rutile coating

Lincoln Electric Omnia 46

The most respected company in the welding machine market is Lincoln Electric. This American enterprise exists more than hundred years. The first electrode with a coating was released by it in 1927.Since then, the engineers of this company have accumulated a wealth of experience. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the electrodes Omnia 46, having rutile-cellulose coating, immediately after the release earned the respect of many welders and profile publications.

Despite the foreign origin, these electrodes are quite inexpensive. In stores you can find different packs, they usually contain from four to six kilograms of electrodes. In any case, you will spend less than a thousand rubles! Most of all, this product is liked by newcomers. The fact is that the Omnia 46 electrodes easily flare up even on cheap welding machines. They are not very sensitive to the length of the arc, which also can not but rejoice. Experts note a small number of sparks arising from work. This is important, as this improves fire safety. Slag after work can be easily separated, which allows the welding of contaminated or rusty steel. There are no claims of buyers and the strength of the seam. Often such electrodes are cooked even by pipelines, although initially they were not intended for this purpose.

Advantages:

• The seam is very durable and resistant to stress;
• Does not require a short arc;
• Very light ignition on any inverter;
• Even the rookie can cope with arcing;
• Value.

Disadvantages:

• Electrodes can quickly dew( then calcification will be required).

ESAB-SVEL OK 46.00

These electrodes are both Russian and foreign. This is explained by the fact that they are manufactured here, but strictly under the control of the Swedish company ESAB.The product is sold at a relatively low price. In this price category, this product has no equal. Even with partial dampening, the electrodes burn steadily. The ignition takes a few seconds on any welding inverter. You can work with electrodes for both constant and alternating current. Experts note that the product works in any direction of the seam, and the minimum current threshold for these electrodes is lower than that of competitors. All this allows us to use the Swedish-Russian product for welding thin-walled parts.

The main advantage of electrodes with rutile coating is that the surface of the processed steel does not need to be protected. The product is not afraid of pollution or corrosion. After the work all the slag can be easily eliminated. Cooled seam is durable and viscous. For calcination of a strongly cooled electrode, it is sufficient to heat up the welding machine only to 80-90 degrees.

Advantages:

• You can work with contaminated and rusted steel;
• Price tag is difficult to call high;
• Possible operation with minimum current;
• Very light ignition.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for pipelines, since the strength of the seam is still not the maximum.

Resanta MR-3

It is possible that the Resanta MR-3 electrodes are the most common in our country. The "Resanta" brand unexpectedly became very popular, not least because of the fact that most of the products under this brand have no special claims. The above electrodes have an average price tag. The product turned out to be successful, its main disadvantage is that it works much worse when it becomes damp. If you need a strong seam, then for the damp product will require calcination. At a temperature of 150-170 degrees, this process will last about an hour.

Like other rutile electrodes, the Resanta MR-3 can be ignited with an almost ordinary match. Also this product allows you to arc in any direction. It is not afraid of rust or dirt - slag is then easily eliminated. There are no special defects in the product. If many competitors in the work with steel with a high content of carbon are sinning by recrystallization, then this product is completely insensitive to the quality of the welded steel. Still, it is not necessary to buy Resanta MR-3 for welding high-carbon steel - for this purpose there are electrodes with the main coating.

Advantages:

• Optimal price tag;
• No tendency to pore formation;
• Slag is easily separated;
• Minimum arc length requirements;
• It is easily ignited;
• Can be used with AC and DC.

Disadvantages:

• When siped, the quality of the seam drops noticeably.

Which welding electrode to buy

1. If you have previously worked with electrodes that have a basic coating, you can purchase SSSI 13/55.This product is both inexpensive, and a very durable seam provides. Also, its advantages include the fact that you can find these electrodes in a lot of shops.

2. The Kobelco LB-52U also has a basic coating. In connection with this ignition is possible only after calcination, removing all moisture. This electrode should be bought in case if a pipeline or some other serious object that does not allow double-sided welding is welded.

3. If you have welding stainless steel on your nose, you need to buy OZL-8.It is an expensive substance, but it perfectly handles the welding of steel containing nickel and chrome. Disadvantages of the product are typical for the electrode with the main coating.

4. If you need fast firing electrodes, then you should think about buying Lincoln Electric Omnia 46. Also this product will not greatly affect your budget. Electrodes create a strong seam, otherwise they would not have fallen into our rating.

5. Another good specimen with rutile coating is ESAB-SVEL OK 46.00.This electrode, too, does not require a serious calcination, while it is less afraid of depletion than others. To work with such an electrode, a minimum current is required, which makes it possible to weld thin-walled steel.

6. The Resanta MR-3 electrodes show themselves a bit worse. If they damp, then a long calcination is required at medium temperature. Otherwise, the seam is not the best quality.