Information about filler rods for TIG welding (new to welding)

admin

My TIG welders just arrived in the post that I bought to learn to weld on and I'm eager to to start tinkering with it but I don't feel like I know enough about filler rods to purchase the right type to play aorund with.The question is what sort of filler material can is use with different grades of metal (stainless, mild, aluminium). I've got a bunch of scrap metal of all sorts.I don't really know the grade of the scrap metal, but I see people (in videos) using their 'go to' material for stainless or for steel, so I presume I can mix grades of filler with different grades of similar metal?I see a bunch of numbers for the type of filler rods (which I know are different grades of that type of filler material), but what happens if I can't find a grade of rod which matches the grade of metal (I have a bunch of 304 stainless that I know of).Help in buying filler material would be great as I don't want to have to buy lots of different packets right off the bat.
Reply:There is really no one filler for use on everything. You'll end up with a number of different filler types and sizes eventually. Most you will hardly ever use, except for specific jobs.Start off with basic E70 tig rod, unless you plan to strictly weld stainless. I'd probably suggest 1/16" filler for most stuff starting out unless you are going to do exhaust tubing. Then go with .045 or even smaller.If right now you are simply learning and sticking metal together for noncritical projects in steel/stainless. E70 will get you by. Yes on stainless the welds will rust. ( if you don't want them to rust, bite the bullet and buy the right filler for stainless.) But for an "all in one" rod to begin learning it's a good choice. I know some guys prefer to use stainless, often 309 for a generic rod. However I've found stainless doesn't move and flow as nice for new students ( students often grab the stainless filler rather than the mild steel filler at the school, then wonder why they are suddenly having "odd" issues").Once you have used up a pound or 2 of 1/16" filler you'll have more experience and knowledge to start looking at more sizes and types..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:A decent place to purchase filler is HTP/usaweld.  Google them. They have a good reputation here. They are a user friendly online store and will answer questions for you regarding compatibility as well. They have a good supply of tungsten as well. I buy red for DC, and blue for AC.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.