7018 is the workhorse stick electrode for structural steel, pressure vessels, pipeline work, and any code-quality weld that needs low hydrogen for crack resistance. The right rod runs with a smooth, quiet arc, peels slag cleanly, and lays a flat, well-rippled bead with minimal touch-up. After comparing 11 current 7018 brands across AC and DC welders in 1G, 3G, and 4G positions, these seven stood out for arc stability, slag behavior, bead appearance, and storage tolerance.
Quick comparison
| Rod | Tensile (PSI) | Polarity | Arc character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR | 75,000 | AC/DCEP | Premium smooth |
| ESAB Atom Arc 7018 | 72,000 | AC/DCEP | Smooth, quiet |
| Hobart 7018 | 70,000 | AC/DCEP | Easy strike |
| Forney 7018 AC | 70,000 | AC/DCEP | AC-optimized |
| Lincoln 7018-1 MR | 75,000 | AC/DCEP | Code-grade |
| Washington Alloy 7018 | 70,000 | AC/DCEP | Budget |
| Blue Demon 7018 | 70,000 | AC/DCEP | Hobbyist |
Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR, Best Overall
The Excalibur 7018 MR is the rod most code welders pull from the oven first. Excalibur is Lincoln’s premium tier and the difference shows in arc starting (no sticky start, no spatter on contact), arc stability through the bead (no popping or surging), and slag behavior (peels in single curls without chipping). The MR designation means moisture resistant, which extends the time the rod can sit out of the oven before re-baking is needed.
Bead appearance is the standout. A flat-position fillet weld with 3/32 inch Excalibur lays down with even ripples and minimal undercut at the toe. For tested code work where bead appearance is inspected, this is the rod that consistently passes.
Trade-off: about 40 percent more per pound than the budget brands in this lineup. For code work, the time saved on touch-up and the inspection pass rate justify the premium. For hobby work, lower-priced rods perform acceptably.
ESAB Atom Arc 7018, Best Arc Feel
ESAB’s Atom Arc 7018 has the quietest, smoothest arc in the lineup. The flux formulation creates a soft, focused arc that feels more like running a TIG bead than a stick rod. For overhead and vertical work where arc control matters most, the Atom Arc is the rod that makes the position welds feel less aggressive.
Slag peels cleanly in one piece and the bead profile is consistently flat without convex crowning. Comparable code performance to Lincoln Excalibur with a slightly different feel; pick based on personal preference.
Trade-off: similar premium pricing to Excalibur. Less commonly stocked at small welding supply stores; large suppliers and online stock it consistently.
Hobart 7018, Best for Beginners
Hobart’s 7018 is the rod most welding schools and beginner welders start with. The strike-and-restrike behavior is the most forgiving in the lineup; the rod doesn’t stick to the work on contact and re-establishes the arc easily after a stop and restart. For a beginner learning bead control, this matters more than premium arc quality.
Performance is solid mid-tier with a slightly rougher bead appearance than Lincoln or ESAB but well within code tolerances. The Hobart line is widely stocked, which means the rod is easy to find at most welding supply and home center stores.
Trade-off: not the smoothest arc, and the bead requires a slight touch of wire-brushing to clean to inspection quality. For learning and general fab shop work, the easy strike is the right trade.
Forney 7018 AC, Best for AC Welders
If your stick welder is AC-only (a buzz box, transformer welder, or basic Lincoln K-series), the Forney 7018 AC is formulated with arc stabilizers specifically for AC operation. The arc behavior on AC is noticeably smoother than running a standard 7018 on AC, with less popping and more consistent metal transfer.
For homeowners and small shops with budget AC-only stick welders, this is the rod that makes 7018 work properly. Bead appearance and slag behavior are similar to standard 7018 on DCEP.
Trade-off: slightly less smooth on DCEP than dedicated DC rods. If your welder is DC-capable, use a standard 7018 instead. The AC formulation costs slightly more per pound.
Lincoln 7018-1 MR, Best for Code Welding
The 7018-1 MR (note: 7018-1, not 7018) is Lincoln’s code-tier rod with verified low-temperature impact testing. The 1 suffix indicates the rod has passed Charpy V-notch testing at -50F, which is required for pipeline and pressure vessel work in cold environments. Standard 7018 is tested at 0F; the 7018-1 is qualified for colder service.
For pipeline work, structural steel in northern climates, and ASME code work, the 7018-1 is often specified by the welding procedure specification. Arc behavior and bead appearance match the standard Excalibur.
Trade-off: the cold-temperature certification adds a premium price. Required for some jobs; overkill for general structural work above freezing.
Washington Alloy 7018, Best Budget
Washington Alloy’s 7018 is the budget rod that still meets AWS A5.1 specification. About 30 to 40 percent less per pound than Lincoln or ESAB. The arc is slightly more aggressive, the slag occasionally chips rather than peels in one piece, and the bead requires a touch more cleanup, but the weld itself meets the strength specification.
For fab shop work that doesn’t require code inspection, repair welding, and farm welding, this is the right value pick. Stock up at the price; the rod stores well in a sealed container.
Trade-off: requires more cleanup time and the arc takes more concentration to control. For experienced welders, this trade is worth the savings.
Blue Demon 7018, Best for Occasional Use
Blue Demon is the budget-tier brand most stocked on Amazon and at general hardware stores. Performance is comparable to Washington Alloy: meets specification, runs adequately, requires a touch more cleanup than premium rods.
For hobby welders, occasional repairs, and farm welding, this is the rod that pairs well with a basic stick welder. The 5-pound packaging is convenient for small jobs; opening a 50-pound box of premium rod for one weekend project wastes the storage life.
Trade-off: not the rod for code work or daily fab shop production. For occasional use, the price is the deciding factor.
How to choose
Match the rod tier to the work
Code work, pipeline, and pressure vessels: Lincoln Excalibur, ESAB Atom Arc, or Lincoln 7018-1. Production fab shop: Hobart or mid-tier ESAB. Hobby and farm: Washington Alloy or Blue Demon. Buying premium rods for hobby welding wastes money; buying budget rods for code work fails inspection.
Storage discipline matters more than brand
A premium rod left in humid air for a week performs worse than a budget rod stored properly in a sealed container or rod oven. The single most important factor in 7018 performance is keeping the flux dry. Buy what you can store properly.
AC or DC
If your welder is AC-only, use AC-formulated 7018 (Forney 7018 AC or Lincoln 7018AC). Standard 7018 runs on AC but the arc is rougher. DC-capable welders run any 7018 on DCEP.
Size the rod to the metal thickness
3/32 inch rod for 1/8 to 3/16 inch steel. 1/8 inch rod for 3/16 to 1/4 inch. 5/32 inch for 1/4 inch and thicker. Larger rods on thin steel burn through; smaller rods on thick steel waste time on multiple passes.
For related work, see our guide on 0.030 flux core wire and the comparison in welding rods for general use. For details on how we evaluate welding consumables, see our methodology.
For most code and structural work, Lincoln Excalibur 7018 MR or ESAB Atom Arc 7018 are the right defaults. Hobart 7018 covers learning and general fab shop production. Washington Alloy and Blue Demon handle hobby and farm use without compromise on weld strength. Pick the rod that matches the job, store it dry, and the 7018 reputation as the structural workhorse holds up under any inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What does 7018 mean on a welding rod?+
The 7018 designation is the AWS A5.1 classification: 70 means 70,000 PSI minimum tensile strength, 1 means all-position (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead), and 8 means the coating type is iron powder low hydrogen with a flux that produces a smooth basic-coated arc. 7018 rods are used for structural steel, pressure vessels, ship building, pipeline welding, and any code work that requires low hydrogen for crack resistance. They run on AC and DCEP (electrode positive).
Do 7018 rods need to be kept in a rod oven?+
Yes for code work, sometimes for hobby work. 7018 absorbs moisture from the air and the moisture converts to hydrogen during welding, which causes weld cracking in high-strength steels. Code work requires rods to be held at 250 to 350F in a rod oven after the sealed container is opened. For hobby welding on mild steel, rods kept in a dry box or sealed tube for a day or two will perform acceptably. Rods left in humid air for a week should be re-baked at 700F for one hour or discarded.
Can 7018 weld in all positions?+
Yes. The 1 in 7018 indicates all-position rating, meaning the rod can weld flat, horizontal, vertical (up and down), and overhead. Vertical down is technically allowed by AWS but most welders run 7018 vertical up because the slower bead control produces better fusion. The flux coating is designed to hold the slag in place against gravity in overhead positions, which is what allows 7018 to be one of the few low-hydrogen rods that works overhead.
AC or DC for 7018?+
Both, but DCEP (electrode positive, also called reverse polarity) is the standard. AC works on machines without DC capability but the arc is slightly less stable and the bead appearance is rougher. For a buzz box (AC-only stick welder), look for 7018AC rods, which are formulated with arc stabilizers for AC operation. Standard 7018 will run on AC but with a noticeably less smooth arc. DCEN (electrode negative) is not recommended for 7018.
What thickness of steel can 7018 weld?+
7018 welds steel from about 1/8 inch up to unlimited thickness with multiple passes. Rod diameters from 3/32 inch through 5/32 inch cover residential and light commercial work; 3/16 inch and larger handle heavy structural fabrication. For thin steel under 1/8 inch, 6013 or 7014 are better choices because 7018 tends to burn through thin material. For thick sections, 7018 is the default for code work because of the low hydrogen content and the resulting crack resistance.
