7018 is one of the BEST rods out there, and its great for this application too. BUT 7018 is the number one most misused rods out there. If it isnt kept in a moisture free oven after a while it gets pretty bad, hard to start an arc, and will get porrosity pretty easily. I love that rod, but I also made a nice rod warmer out of an old fridge. It has a heat lamp in it is all, and the door seals up nice.

This would be the best for the application for sure.

Kasey

If it can be stick welded it can be Mig welded,unless someone knows a little secret that I don't know.What ever process,the important factor in any weld is the "heat effected zone".To rate this factor of heat transfer,stick welding,mig then tig being the lesser.With the constant development of mig process and technology there is not much that can't be welded by an adverage skilled person with a mig using the proper material and gases.

Main advantage of the stick electrode in this circumstance is the cleanliness issue of the joint to be welded imo.
the flux agents with 7018 help to minimize porosity that has the potential to occur from the dirt/oil residue that exists between the tube and the casting.
agree, the advancements with mig, ie gas mixes, metal core mixtures etc are greatly improving weld quality results.

Hello Brian how's the cuda coming along? As for the axel tube to housing preheat and weld with an econo-cast99 call coastal welding and they'll help you out.

Charlie