GTAW 308 filler .045 diameter

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If you want to be able to TIG on stainless with ease you will need the .045 diameter filler wire. Many welders want to know why it is difficult with 1/16 filler. That is the reason WHY.The filler is too large of a diameter. It is OK for pipe root passes but not for thinner material. All the suppliers have 1/16 but many do not have the .045 diameter.I know because I have been a production welder most of my life. Eleven years with just one company.The trouble right now is that since manufacturing is so low in the United States and Praxair, ESAB and others that make or procure these filler materials have moved to China, the availability in the USA is difficult.Many retailers are trying to sell 10 lb. boxes of 308 .045 stainless TIG filler wire on the internet and at welding stores BUT a 10 lb. box would last an individual welder a LIFETIME.IT would cost you $95-$120 dollars plus shipping.The welding stores do not want to break down the boxes into smaller packages because each package needs all the warning stickers etc.,.I looked all over and found small 1 lb packages finally in San Diego Cal where a lot of aero space companies do TIG work.I was able to get my 1 lb. package at Arc Zone welding supplies on the internet.I just wanted to let you know before you may run into the same problem.I have no connection with any business that sells anything.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Be careful making blanket statements like that, no one NEEDS to use .045 filler.  If its what you prefer and recommend then that's all well and good but you cant speak in absolutes.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:All I have is 1/16" in all stainless alloys..Not too big for what I do.....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 never used anything other than 3/32" filler on stainless.
Reply:Well I'm glad my local supply store sells all of there filler by the pound for pretty fair prices. They usually have .045, 1/16 and 3/32 in stock as well
Reply:I have 33lb spools of 0.045" MIG wire on the shelf that I can use as TIG filler as necessary.  I recommend this solution very much, especially if you do heavy section stainless MIG work.Last edited by Fegenbush; 02-01-2011 at 04:06 PM.
Reply:I found the small diameter stainless TIG filler rods (36" straight lengths) on Weldingsupply.com in 1lb increments:https://weldingsupply.securesites.co...:terms::PE#E03I included some .045" 316L in with my last order (for $10.69/lb + shipping), which I'm looking forward to trying.
Reply:Has anyone figured out what the OP was trying to say?Not one of his "comments" had anything to do with reality.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.