Soft TIG rod for easy grinding

admin

Hello.  I am using TIG on mild steel for artistic projects.  I have been using ER70-2 rod and find that my welds are harder than the base metal and take considerably more effort to grind.  Is there a rod that will be easier to grind?  These projects are just art, weld strength is not an issue.  The rod does need to be steel (not braised) as I need the welds to disappear after grinding/cleanup.ThanksJerry
Reply:If you can deal with small diameter filler, ESAB/Allstate EasyGrind mig wire works well for me. I clip off 2 feet at a time of .030" wire. I also use it in my mig welder.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:Just for grins, try cleaning the flux off a 60' series stick weld electrode in 1/16" diameter, and using it for filler.Friend, it might help if you post a pic of your art and the welds you need to blend away...The fix is possibly more than materials and perhaps tooling or a combination of both, and not necessarily expensive or hard.
Reply:I've laid down a butload of 70-s2 that was blended out, no problem.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Silicon Bronzesuper soft, very strong and pretty
Reply:Yup.....I really want to see pics of his art...Not to judge him, but to challenge me in how I might do it.Come on, Jerry.....I promise no one here will rip you apart...art is ART....and welding art is very important here.You are in a safe place.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_popSilicon Bronzesuper soft, very strong and pretty
Reply:3M Cubitron II grinding discs will obliterate any steel in their path. 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:doh. I don't know how i missed that detail. its right there in perfect english. guess i was in such hurry to talk i stopped listening. im going into time-out now. maybe you could get your hands on a small spool of this easy grind mig wire ??? looks like .030 only though. http://www.esabna.com/us/en/products...oductCode=9492
Reply:what are you using to sand with? I cant imagine a TIG weld putting up much of a fight.I keep coming back to Dewalt brand 80 grit flap disc for knocking down smaller mig welds or general blending on mild steel before moving to the orbital. That brand just works really well and turns into 100 and 120 grit equivalent as it wears down.
Reply:I've been meaning to get some RG45 (oxy/acet rod) for my sheet metal work which I use TIG. I have TIGed before with RG60, nothing critical, it worked fine.The 45 should be softer than the standard 70 or 80 Tig rods, won't have the same elements in it but may work for you.Ernie F.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonIf you can deal with small diameter filler, ESAB/Allstate EasyGrind mig wire works well for me. I clip off 2 feet at a time of .030" wire. I also use it in my mig welder.
Reply:If you need thicker wire, twist three .030 wire together. I think someone just posted that idea last week. Originally Posted by shovelonIf you can deal with small diameter filler, ESAB/Allstate EasyGrind mig wire works well for me. I clip off 2 feet at a time of .030" wire. I also use it in my mig welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartIf you need thicker wire, twist three .030 wire together. I think someone just posted that idea last week.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonOH yeah. Good idea!
Reply:Just whatever you do, don't TIG with flux core wire.  Some joker handed me some for OAW when there wasn't any proper filler wire.  One thing you'll notice when using different fillers is some will make your metal a different color at the weld after grinding.  This can be good or bad depending on what your after.I'm surprised no one has mentioned an autogenous weld.  It's the ultimate grind free filler wire!  You see them all the time but wouldn't notice.  The stainless mud pans at the home improvement centers are made with them as well as some of those stainless fresh brewed iced tea dispensers that are popping up between the soda fountains in fast food restaurants.Get a really good fit up and just melt to two pieces together with no filler rod at all.  It will take some practice to get the hang of and on thicker material you won't get good penetration but since we are talking art, as long as it can hold itself up its all good.You can also weld from the backside with a piece of copper on the front and there will be no weld bead visible at all, if anything though there will be a tiny bit of a dip from shrinkage.  One other thing handy is a flap disc, it doesn't gouge surrounding metal as badly and really only gets rid of the high spots.  So if you are welding with a minimal amount of filler, there won't be too much clean up.When doing the autogenous welds, make sure to still have your left hand ready to feed some wire just in case the puddle gets out of control.Good luck!
Reply:i'd be inclined to give coat hanger rod with the coating sanded off a shot.
Reply:Originally Posted by EvilBunnyi'd be inclined to give coat hanger rod with the coating sanded off a shot.
Reply:Originally Posted by metalman21I've been meaning to get some RG45 (oxy/acet rod) for my sheet metal work which I use TIG. I have TIGed before with RG60, nothing critical, it worked fine.The 45 should be softer than the standard 70 or 80 Tig rods, won't have the same elements in it but may work for you.
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomB.oxy acetylene rod is low in deoxidizers needed to get bubble free welds on a lot of steel. the deoxidizers are added to Tig rod on purpose to get good Tig welds..you get more bubbles with structural steel grades and rusty steel.
Reply:TIG welding rusty steel is what happens when you hand everyone and their uncle a TIG welder.
Reply:I don't know what process this guy uses or the filler, but the results are good.  No grinding.Oh:  Johan Jonsson byjohan.se if you want to see more.  http://byjohan.se/metal-sculptures.htmlLast edited by Oldendum; 05-28-2016 at 05:55 PM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinThat's what RG45 is right?