TIG filler rod holders???

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I just bought a couple 15" plastic tubes at my local welding store.  I had to cut them up and tape them together to make one that would fit an 18" filler rod. Is there a place online that sells these tubes in an 18-20" size?OR, what does everyone else do?
Reply:Plastic Rod guards.  I have many.I think most just use the box it came in.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RPlastic Rod guards.  I have many.I think most just use the box it came in.David
Reply:PVC pipe cut to fit put on end cap's  your good!AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Originally Posted by houseoffirePVC pipe cut to fit put on end cap's  your good!
Reply:Hey CGC,Yup.... PVC. That's what many of the fellows do....easy to store, small footprint, & you can store them vertically or horizontally.Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:These come in 36"http://www.rodguard.net/DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RThese come in 36"http://www.rodguard.net/David
Reply:If you are going with 'stock' length, the rod gaurds can be found for about $10.  I think they are actually water tight.  They do have a rubber seal.  And yes, two sizes, full TIG filler size and stick rod size.Making your own with PVC is a popular alternative.  Just watch your costs.  By the time you buy two caps, glue, butt joint etc. you will probably be close to that $10 number.I built a rack with 4 rows and 8 columns of holes to hold up to 32 of these filler tubes.  4 rows because one row is dedicated to .030 or .035, the next to 1/16, the next to 3/32 and the last to 1/8.  8 columns for the different materials - 3 different stainless, 2 different aluminum, 2 different steel, one bronze.  Not all the slots/holes are filled - and I suspect some will never be emptied.... (its just a hobby for me).Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Noticed the mention of using PVC for rod holders. Have a number of them that I made quite some time ago. These are for stock length rods but could certainly be made to any length required. As to cost, if you are going to be making quite a few they can be very economical. Good luck and best regards, Allan Attached Imagesaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749As was already mentioned, you cannot beat the Rod Guard brand tubes unless you just happen to have a whole bunch of PVC stuff just lying around.I have these attached to my TIG machine. Work very nice.Plus, if you are in a climate with high humidity or drastic temperature change, the RG tubes keep your rod sealed up from moisture. At least to an extent they do.
Reply:I like the cardboard boxes it comes in..Humidity and moisture has NO effect on steel tig wire.The LWS don't keep it in plastic tubes do they?...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I just made some tubes out of 2" PVC.  Just be sure to glue the bottom....otherwise it becomes a game of pick up sticks...
Reply:The whole shop is non climate controlled..I have 1/8"!! filler that is open and never used..For obvious reasons....and is still like new.And it's 4 years old.I don't get the plastic bags around mine new and they are Harris!Just sayin.(Maybe if you used it fast enough you would not need the plastic)...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:i have some 18" tubes dont know where I got them from, but I cut the filler in half and store it in the tubes
Reply:I know this is not a worry for most on this forum but rust no matter how small will transfer hydrogen into the weld metal and base metal......from tig rods and mig wire. Not that much of a worry for regular welding but for high strength or vibration services need to keep that wire/rod very clean......just an FYIA young green pipe welder asked an old salt one day...How can I make the weld on the bottom of the pipe look like the top.......The old salt replied....Screw up the top......
Reply:I use the rod guard tubes and keep different thickness filler in individual bags within them. II have a dusty shop so moisture aside I wouldn't want to leave them exposed.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:Why not?  I'll throw mine up again. As I've stated before, I'd use some larger tubes as well if I did it again.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I just use PVC tubes...Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:I made this on a slow day @ work.
Reply:Sorry pic didn't work.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Why not?  I'll throw mine up again. As I've stated before, I'd use some larger tubes as well if I did it again.
Reply:I think I spent 12 bucks on a 10foot section of PVC... not too terrible.  Should be able to get 3 holders easily.  Caps were prolly about 1.19 each.  So still under the 30 mark :-)Now I just need to add into my collection of filler rod haha  4043 3/32 is all I have nowJoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Does moisture,humidity have any affect on any tig rods? (aluminum or steel)Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I use ABS or PVC with threaded caps on the top. You can make them any length or diameter  you like. The threaded caps keep them moisture-free. Good for SMA rods as well...DonHello Gamble, anytime that there is a possibility of oxidation on a filler rod of any type there can be problems associated with the use of those rods. Humidity is a precursor to oxidation for filler metals, so "yes", should be the answer.  Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Yes it does, but not so much for the casual fabricator. Rust can/will transfer hydrogen into the weld pool and then the hydrogen will get into the heat effected zone (weld toe) and into the weldment itself. Hydrogen then gathers and causes hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), or under bead cracking...or just cracking. The thicker the steel the more the danger of cracking can occur unless the proper pre-heat is applied. To most they will never experiance the effects. In my industry it is a common problem to address.A young green pipe welder asked an old salt one day...How can I make the weld on the bottom of the pipe look like the top.......The old salt replied....Screw up the top......
Reply:I could have and should have qualified my answer just a bit more, similar to the lines of what Awelderiam had. To what degree oxidation and contamination affects the finished weld should take into consideration the degree of service that a particular weldment requires. If you are talking Nuclear applications, medical, or other critical applications it definitely matters. For a casual dabbler there may be no apparent negative results that matter greatly or would cause any noticeable issues. I guess I generally take the stance that if I can do the best with what I have at/on hand why not take the time to do so. Sorry for the sidetrack of the OP's thread, I am certain that some might benefit from the swerve. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Central vac tubing cheap and has ends if you want.V
Reply:Made some holders out of 3" PVC.   I found a Test cap for the backend of the tube and they were only $.68 each instead of the $3.38 ea. for the caps.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI like the cardboard boxes it comes in..Humidity and moisture has NO effect on steel tig wire.The LWS don't keep it in plastic tubes do they?...zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by CGCINCMade some holders out of 3" PVC.   I found a Test cap for the backend of the tube and they were only $.68 each instead of the $3.38 ea. for the caps.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749As was already mentioned, you cannot beat the Rod Guard brand tubes unless you just happen to have a whole bunch of PVC stuff just lying around.I have these attached to my TIG machine. Work very nice.Plus, if you are in a climate with high humidity or drastic temperature change, the RG tubes keep your rod sealed up from moisture. At least to an extent they do.
Reply:I buy smaller amounts (running to the LWS all the time for gas anyhow). Leave them in open elements, just use it up fast before something happens to it.I would like to put more tubes on for more fillers some day. Right now the different size fillers are just stuck in with each other.