Andy R

I purchased a Syncrowave 200 recently and looking to put together a collection of welding rod that will work with the variety of projects I may encounter. I would like to be able to work with sheet al/mild/ss, possibly cast al/mild. I also plan on doing some furniture items with square/rec tubing that would end up with various types of surface finishes including powder coating and the filler rod would need to be compatible with these processes. Any other rods that may be useful for your everyday type of fix-it jobs would be nice as well. I understand these rods need to be kept in air tight containers, typically PVC pipes with threaded cover on one end. Any other advice for a newb TIG'er?

I did purchase a little torch kit that provides various types of tungsten electrodes and different sized cups.

Are there any onlines stores you prefer to purchase welding supplies from, or are prices comparable to local welding retailers?

HT Chaplain

cyberweld.com there is no need for special storage

HT Chaplain

are you talking filler for tig or rods for the stick option?

for filler for tig
Start with some 70S-2 for steel filler..
Some 309 for stainless..(universal)


3/32 red end tungestions..
A good grinder for making tungestions sharp....

If attempting aluminum..
4043 for billett..
5356 for cast..

Andy R

yeah, filler for TIG

Andy R

What filler wire diameter is most commonly used, i see you can get 1/16, 3/32, 1/8?

HT Chaplain

3/32 is most common but if your doing a lot of thin materials like exhaust then use 1/16

k24em2

I'd probably get 1/16 ER70S-2, and 3/32 4043 since you're just starting out.

Andy R

I've been MIG'n for about 2 1/2 years, so i'm excited to finally get the TIG machine

I won't be too busy until it gets nice in the spring, when i plan on doing some car related items including ss exhaust, turbo manifold and downpipe, alum breather box, intercooler end tanks.

For now i'm planning on doing some practicing and have some ss/mild square tube (3/16" wall thickness) furniture framing to work on.

ROTARY

cyberweld.com and arc-zone.com is where i buy supplies that my LWS don't have.

dfoxengr

i think 1/16 is the most common myself, but thats objective.

i would recommend:

get tungsten, collets, collet bodies/gas lenses, in the form of 0.040", 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8(for thick stuff)

steel:

0.045"
1/16
3/32
Er70s-2
this is the most common one youll probably use. it has a high tensile strength and welds dirty/porous stuff pretty well. you can and I do, weld 4130 to mild with this rod.

1/16
ER8-s-D2
this is used for 4130-4130 only

various sizes of ER70s-3
low strength rod for use with almost everything that 70s-2 is, so theres really not a big purpose in overlapping the need for both. just get the 70s-2

er70s-6
similar to above with the overlap(has similar strength to 70s-2 however), but later when you get better you may find some used for this.


stainless steel:

most all 1/16 since youll probably be welding tubing mostly with stainless
308L
309
316
321

aluminum:

1/16
4043

1/16
5356

i cant remember which but a quick google search will tell you that one of these has a better acceptance of colormatching the base material.
one is also better for 3000 series cast aluminum. but if youre welding 4000 or 5000 series, then you should use the same series rod.