Stuck between stick welding and MIG on a boiler repair last Tuesday

Had a cracked tube sheet on a 20-year-old boiler in Gary. Couldn't decide if I should run 7018 rod or just spool up the MIG gun. Went with the 7018 because the metal was greasy and old. Took me 6 hours but the weld held hydrotest at 150 psi. Would MIG have been faster? Probably. But I know stick better on dirty steel. Any of you guys have a go-to for old boiler repairs?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_evan23h ago

Stick was the right call on that greasy old steel, man.

evanb8712h ago

Remembered my uncle trying to stick weld on an old tractor axle once, thing was so greasy it looked like it just crawled out of a fryer. He spent more time cleaning it than actually welding. Ended up using a wire wheel and brake cleaner like three times before it worked.