Storing GTAW filler

For storing 7018 rod, I used a rod oven that doubles its duty as a foot warmer. For TIG rod, all you need is to keep rust away, so anything that would keep humidity down would be fine. For example, an old fridge with a light bulb.

For steel GTAW filler, it's copper coated so rust isn't an issue. If he has stainless or AL rod humidity again isn't an issue. Flux coated rods for SMAW are of course a different matter.

I meant a little fridge, like those that fit under a countertop or some such.

I have some oil hardening and air hardening TIG filler rod that isn't coated.

If only that were true of the aluminum filler. I put mine in storage while building our shop, and ruined it from moisture. Understand that we live where we were getting about 60" of rain annually, and the filler was in storage, in an aluminum ocean going storage container for about 4 years. I still have it, but it's coated fully with aluminum oxide. I've yet to try cleaning it, or even using any, but I expect it's worthless.

Protecting any TIG filler is a good idea, even stainless.

Harold

Desiccant is a good idea for aluminum rod storage. Uncooked rice makes a good cheap desiccant for short term storage, as in under a year. The downside to rice is that if any significant moisture gets in it will eventually cause it to rot. I am not sure how much silica gel costs to buy in bulk.

Potassium permanganate also works well. When it is dry it is deep purple. As it absorbs moisture is loses it's color. Just bake it and it goes back to purple. We used it at a lab I worked at in college for protecting underwater laser systems.

A vacuum or protective gasses might work if you can really get a good seal. I am not sure how permeable PVC or ABS pipe is to Argon or Nitrogen.

I luckily live alone and my girlfriend laughed her ass off a few weeks ago when she went to put dishes into the dishwasher. I had a set of new pistons and rods hanging from the top where you would put glasses. I had a bunch of wrenches and a crankshaft from a 426 Hemi that I had to cut a second keyway in for a blower hub and some opening on the oil passages and I just tossed it in to get the cutting fluids and steel fuzz off before final cleaning. It's not the first time something from the shop wound up in the dishwasher at home. Too lazy to run it to the shop and hot tank it.

Rob

If I recall, the OP is an engine guy, so he probably isn't dealing with any sort of hard facing rod.

Last I knew, pretty much all AL surfaces are fully coated with AL oxide unless they are cleaned and kept in an inert atmosphere.

Make up your tubes, then stick an argon hose in the tube for a couple seconds. Close and seal.

Will be looking for you.

Gunner