Rod keeps sticking? Toss it out

by Owen Fifield
(Montana)

I've noticed that after a rod sticks 3-4 times the flux starts to creep back on the rod leaving 1/4'' or so exposed filler metal. This is mostly due to the flux being broken off when the welder removes his stuck rod from the work. If a rod keeps sticking not only are you getting dingle berries all around your starting point, you're also prepping your rod for a nasty tie in because that unfluxed start might have some pores. My rule of thumb is that if a rod sticks 3 times without success then I toss it out and grab a new one. A new rod will always start arcing more easily than a rod that is half burned up.