Not very good welding

[stevec]

I use 7014 for everything I stick weld and I've never noticed a difference between a new, fresh box or the 8 month old box I'm using now, it's been left open in the garage (aka welding shop) throughout the dampness of this past summer's rains and the humidity whims of NS.
dallen, I have welded with some SS rod that I got from work (over 12 yrs ago) and it did just like you described, the slag just curled up as it cooled leaving a weld that looked like a pro's.