Millennial Blacksmith

7018 rods only like DC, even if it says AC it still only likes DC you always have to run it hotter or it will stick probably 15-20 amps higher. 7018 rods are a medium penetrating low hydrogen rod, they are a serious industrial rod accompanied with 6010 for a lot of root passes. 6010 are an high aggressively deep penetrating rod. 7018's cannot have any moisture or you will have catastrophic failure in your weld, unless it is designated with an R (7018R. or 7018-R) which is DC only. 7018: 70 - 70,000 per square in of pressure it can handle 1 - means it welds all positions ( for example a 7024 welds 2 positions flat and horizontal) 8 - represents low hydrogen. alternatives for around the shop or house can be 6011, 6011's are basically AC only 6010's or a 6013, watch 6013 welds it can develop wormhole properties at the beginning and end of the weld, 7014 are good, but the are a low penetrating rod, you would be better served with a 6013.

Hey, I've been away from this forum for several years, I'm not sure if this question has been asked before. I'm in the market for a power hammer I'm not sure where to start. What size hammer would be appropriate, I mostly forge up to 2" 1045 very rarely anything larger. I do some repair work for farm equipment, shoe horses from time to time; and tooling, hammers, axes, knives etc... I'm looking at Anyang #33 or #55, Big Blu 65, and of course a good deal on a used one. I could be thinking to small, but maybe a power hammer is better than no power hammer. I was already going to get one but I decided on a #12 Peddinghaus instead. If the tax man is kind it will be around spring. Steer me in the right direction I'm mostly ignorant in this area, I want to give my arm a little break =).