I am not a welder but I do know that welding rods have to be kept in storage which has temperature and humidity control.  Last week, during a safety inspection, I discovered that our engineers use an old upright fridge for storing welding rods.  I thought it was strange but then they told me that the workings had been converted so that the inside of the fridge is kept warm.  Now I think it is even stranger.  I haven't come across this before so can someone please tell me if it is normal practice?  Should I worry or should I pat the guys on the back for their ingenuity?

Thanks.  Graham

There is some truth in what they are telling you.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-gb/support/welding-how-to/Pages/storing-electrodes-detail.aspx

Also adapting an electrical appliance for a a different purpose ....... (i'll let you deal with that one.)

Thank you each.  I'll pat the engineers on the back as I dispose of the fridge.

Graham

I do miss the mince pies that used to be heated in the industrial ovens at Christmas - god knows what we were ingesting though !!

How were they heating it?

Mains power or DC and bulb off say a battery. Rods don't need to get that hot 10 to 15 degree ish above current air temp.

Originally Posted by: johnmurray

Originally Posted by: chris42

How were they heating it?
Mains power or DC and bulb off say a battery. Rods don't need to get that hot 10 to 15 degree ishabove current air temp.

That would depend upon the rod/s being used.
New rods still in the manufacturers packing can be stored in any dry place.
Once opened, they will absorb moisture rapidly. Ideally, they will need baking at something like 150-200+ C prior to use.
If stored opened for any period of time they should (in the case of hydrogen controlled rods) be discarded. Or take your chances after baking at 300C+ for several hours. Cracked rods should be thrown out. If stored opened some rods may suffer oxidation of elements within the coating, they will be useless.
When I was welding low H rods, they were opened the day before and kept in an oven overnight at 150C, then transferred to a portable "quiver" for use on-site. The quiver is a piece of kit powered from the welding lead that keeps the rods warm pre-use.
Manufacturers recommendations should be followed.
Many contracts will specify rods to be used on a job, as well as welding procedure/tests etc.
I'll repeat this: wet low-H rods are only fit for the bin...

Yes I assumed the fridge would be for storage as per the link above in #3 :-

2a.
Storage of electrodes in cardboard boxes requires humidity and temperature
controlled storage areas.

General recommended storage conditions include:

- temperature 17-27°C, relative humidity ≤60%

- temperature 27-37°C, relative humidity ≤50%.

- electrode boxes may be stored in layers to a maximum of 7.

2b. Plastic boxes require storage conditions suitable to cardboard boxes

Otherwise as you say a far higher temp is required when handling and it is unlikely the plastic inside the fridge would survive those temperatures.

Converting a fridge to a warmer is actually a pretty simple task, provided you know what you're doing. In essence a fridge removes heat from the cabinet and dumps it at the rear - you can feal it if you put your hand at ther back of the fridge. There's a very simple "fridge cycle" at work involving relative temps and pressures and a refridgerant changing phases from a gas to a liquid. Turning the bak section around would probably do the job, you'll end up with cold air behind the cabinet and a warm interior. Why not ask them how they did it?

To be honest, I would personally commend the guys for doing a neat job, using engineering know how and skills and simply insist there are the appropriate inspections and tests (PAT etc) done as well as ensuring the refrigerant charge is OK. Why chuck something away because it's a bit Heath Robinson? All you'll do is alienate the guys,

Jim