Gas "O/A" rods

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Hello GuysI am trying to learn how to o/a weld but have not been able to find any rods. I have ordered 10lbs but can not wait to start burning something. I started fusion welding just to try and get a feel for it but was wondering if I can use tig rods or stick rods if I remove the flux? ThanksBrian
Reply:You can use tig rods as long as they are intended for steel.  Same stuff, just cleaner usually.  O-A filler usually has a copper coating to keep it from rusting.Arc welding electrodes are a bad idea.  They sometimes have stuff in the coating that alloys when welding....so the core isn't necissarly what gets deposited.  Also, diameter is too big.Last time I was at Home Depot they had O-A filler rod...tool department with the welding stuff.If you have any sheet steel, you can cut thin strips with a shear or even tin snips and use that. DON'T used galvanized flashing though!If you just want to play/practice, you can use coat hanger wire. Don't trust it for "real" welding though, no telling what it is...and if you are unlucky, it may not even work for practice.
Reply:Thanks kevboI asked at the local welding supply and they told me that I could not use tig rods and they did not know what rg45 and rg60 was so I thought I might ask someone who actually has gas welded before. I also checked at lowes and home depot but they only had brazing rods. I ordered ten pounds of rg60 3/32" last night but want to practice now. anyway thanks again.
Reply:I've practiced with close hangers.  I've even used the wire that holds the flags on utility markers for buried utilities.I imagine you could use rebar tie wire too.Galvanized wire as mentioned before would be more trouble than it's worth.If you go to a steel supply yard sometimes they have eleven to nine gauge wire in coils they use for tying bundles of steel together.  That would work too.Good luck.  And welcome to my world.life is good
Reply:I just finished my o/a welding coarse and for the hell of it tried a coathanger on 1/8 sheet. It worked good. Wasnt strong but Was able to get a nice looking bead.
Reply:Got a farm supply place near you? Tractor Supply(thats the actual name of the place)? All those farm supply places carry that stuff. The Lowes and HD around here have the copper coated steel welding rod in 36" lengths for O/A welding. Various diameters around 1/16 to 1/8". I think its about $4-5 for a tube of about 6.
Reply:just use some old wire coat hangers. i know that was the thing i learned how to use first