TIG filler rod

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Hi guys.I am getting a AC/DC Tig welder soon along with the gas, and tungstens.I am wondering how much filler rod I should buy. Should I buy TIG filler rod in 1kg (2.2lb) packs for around $25,  or 4.5 or 5kg packs (10 or 11 lbs) for around $100? How much filler rod do you guys go through?I am planning on getting an E size bottle which should allow me to weld for 8 hours at 8 liters / minutes...Items I'll be welding would be thin alloy/stainless steel.Should I get 1.6mm or 2.4mm rods?Last edited by 42883512; 03-22-2016 at 08:36 AM.
Reply:How thin and what kind of stainless? You usually want the filler rod smaller then the base metal. So welding 16 gauge stainless with a 1/8" rod will make life hard for you. And where are you finding your prices? Starting out with a pound of each different rod is what I would do so I can experiment with them
Reply:Filler diameter should roughly be the same as the base metal thickness; or that's what I was taught.  If you're welding mostly sheet material, get the smallest diameter filler rods you can.Too large a filler metal rod will take too much heat in the arc to melt.  This in turn will cause you more problems with burn through and warping of your thin base metal.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doFiller diameter should roughly be the same as the base metal thickness; or that's what I was taught.  If you're welding mostly sheet material, get the smallest diameter filler rods you can.Too large a filler metal rod will take too much heat in the arc to melt.  This in turn will cause you more problems with burn through and warping of your thin base metal.
Reply:I would just buy a range of 1 pound tubes of the basics and see what floats your boat. I would start with a couple of sizes of ER70s-2, and 308L. Then go from there. Can't go wrong with 1/16th diameter to start.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 motolife313You use 1/4" filler on 1/4" plate or 3/8" rod on 3/8" plate? Sounds really hard to do
Reply:You probably add strength to the rod by 10% if you use a diamond wheel. It get imbedded in the filler and gets added to the weld
Reply:Everybody's a critic.  When have you ever seen 3/8" TIG rod?  Obviously the rule of thumb breaks down as you move towards thicker material.What happened motolife313?  Did someone piss in your cheerios this morning?Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Chuck Norris Uses 3/8 70s2
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313Chuck Norris Uses 3/8 70s2