Alum Filler -- Is "R4943" the same as "4943"

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Thinking of getting some 4943 filler for aluminum. Best price I've found is on ebay but the ad describes it as "R4943." Is that the same as "4943"? Never saw a TIG rod described as "R" whatever.This is the filler in question:https://www.ebay.com/itm/353338176111?epid=18041280349Thanks.Syncrowave 250DXMiller 330 A/BPMiller Big Blue 251D
Reply:Same same. If you look in the description it is just 4943.
Reply:Thanks Walker. So I guess the "R" just means "rod" instead of "spool"? The Hobart spools of the same stuff on ebay call it "ER4943," which is what I would have expected the rod to be called (like ER310 or whatever).
Reply:Perhaps it does not matter?   But R usually implies Rod...gas welding opposed to E for electrode...electric welding.
Reply:The shown packaging implies that it is indeed TIG welding rod, as does the description.Be advised you can get it cheaper through Baker's Gas, even Airgas has it cheaper than Ebay.Also, Washington Alloy and National Standard also produce 4943 wire/rod products. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Yes the R stands for rod as in solid wire. The common O/A fillers are RG45 and RG60. RG stands for Rod solid wire and Gas oxy/acetylene. Tig rod is weird because often it will say ER. E is for electrode and it's not an electrode with Tig. Mig would be correct with ER. It could get confusing if you sent someone who didn't know what you wanted to pick up some ER70-S3 wire in say .045" or 1/16". Do you mean Mig wire or Tig rod?
Reply:Thanks, guys. Unfortunately neither Bakers nor Airgas have it in 1/16" rods ... even if I would ever deal with AG ever again.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinThanks, guys. Unfortunately neither Bakers nor Airgas have it in 1/16" rods ... even if I would ever deal with AG ever again.
Reply:You rock, Oscar. Many thanks (also for the Home Depot deal)!
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinYou rock, Oscar. Many thanks (also for the Home Depot deal)!
Reply:Whether or not Baker's responds to my email this morning is another question.
Reply:You could also try using the contact-us page from their website if they don't respond directly to that email.  That is where their response came from, but perhaps it's setup to only receive initial emails from their online-form, as a form of spam-prevention(?) 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:I bought it forever ago. I bought ten pounds of 1/16", 3/32" & 1/8. I should have bought 30 LBS of 3/32, use it most.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Do you need it now? I'll part with a few pounds. I seldom use 1/16. I prefer the "For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction" effect. Puddle heat is consumed by melting 3/32". It chills the puddle to freeze the back of the puddle. Aluminum is "hot short". It is very weak at the temperature it solidifies, then as it slowly loses heat it contracts, sometimes it cracks. Larger filler, (I believe) helps prevent that. To illustrate it, run a puddle only bead across flat 16 gauge, it'll crack.Zap uses only 1/16" but crams it into the puddle.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Thanks, Oscar and Willie B. I appreciate your offer, Willie B, but I don't need the filler in a hurry, just want to have it on hand and try it. Never used 1/16" alum filler yet, but saw (here on WW) that it seems to be more popular than 3/32", so I wanted to give it a try. Also, I haven't tried 4943 yet and heard it was substantially stronger than 4043 so...Last edited by Kelvin; 07-03-2021 at 11:06 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinThanks, Oscar and Willie B. I appreciate your offer, Willie B, but I don't need the filler in a hurry, just want to have it on hand and try it. Never used 1/16" alum filler yet, but saw (here on WW) that it seems to be more popular than 3/32", so I wanted to give it a try. Also, I haven't tried 4943 yet and heard it was substantially stronger than 4043 so...
Reply:Just to tie up this thread with a bow, Baker's Gas came in with a price $1.50 higher than the ebay price, so...  Thanks nonetheless, Oscar.
Reply:Well that sucks.  I should have ordered more years ago when it was $55-60/ 10 lbs. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Waiting on Bakers. Calling, Waiting.  Waiting. "Oh, we thought we had it in stock two weeks ago... sorry."After more than two weeks, they finally agreed to split the order due to one measly item not in stock like they indicated it was initially.Their 'proactive' approach to fullfilling orders can be very aggravating. This is not the first time. And their phone personnel don't instill confidence that they will follow up on their stated agreement to verify the order will be shipped, even after multiple phone calls.The first time you fool me, it's on me. Twice you fool me, it's really on me. Not again. There are other vendors who care about keeping their customers.  Yeah, slightly higher prices, but at least the customer receives orders reasonably expediently. That saves money.So, not again if I need consumables within a reasonable period of time.Last edited by WaterMan1; 2 Weeks Ago at 11:26 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by WaterMan1In my experience, Baker Gas is a hit/miss operation. Miss too many times. They indicate that they have the items you need in stock, even on a phone-order, saying it will ship out that day.  Then you wait for three weeks or more for them to receive that stock from suppliers. And instead of splitting the package order to get you what you need quickly, they stall the whole order typically on one measly little item that is not in stock. Seems their inventory records system and shipping department are relics of the dark ages.
Reply:That description looks odd to me :Hobart 404306270 MaxalTIG R4943 1/16" X 36" Aluminum Tig Filler Rod 10#  part number doesn't look right.  Part NumberDiameter (IN)Diameter (MM)Package4943094703/32"2.410 Lb (4.5 Kg) Carton4943125701/8"        3.210 Lb (4.5 Kg) CartonLooking at the Hobart site:https://www.hobartbrothers.com/produ...axalTig%204943 Didn't see any 1/16" 4943 tig lengths either Shows qualifications for: AWS 5.10,  R4943, and ER4943, I don't use a lot of the 1/16" aluminum, and I only have it in 4043 Harris/Lincoln mostlyRegardsAirco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60D
Reply:Originally Posted by albrightreeThat description looks odd to me :Hobart 404306270 MaxalTIG R4943 1/16" X 36" Aluminum Tig Filler Rod 10#  part number doesn't look right.
Reply:Washington Alloys also markets ER4943. It is more widely available and cheaper to boot. Only time I get it at a reasonable price lately is if LWS places a big order with Hobart.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by Oscarbecause it's not.  it's 4943, not 4043.  Look at the picture of my box.   Unless they discontinued it, which I highly doubt.
Reply:Typos? 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC