[admin]

I probably use 1/16" diameter filler rod more often for general steel and stainless steel.
But Roy Crumrine converted me to .045" for some work like 1-1/2" square tubing etc.
What is your "go to" filler wire size for general tig jobs?
Best,
Jody
Gm4kaFO0xE0

[Otto Nobedder]

I change rod size a lot in a typical repair. The tungsten remains constant. I "almost" always weld with a 3/32 tungsten, though I have other options when the need arises.

I vary the rod to the purpose, though.

Today, I had an odd animal for a repair. SCC, or "stress corrosion cracking", which I've dealt with many times and shared here. This time, it was not in a connecting weld, as I usually see, but in a butt-weld done in 2G with backing. The SCC did not continue into the backer, so it was salvageable, and after grinding out all signs of the cracking I used 1/16 308 for a root-pass to tie the newly clean metal to the backer bar. Second pass was also 1/16, to even out the bottom of the grind (the material was about 7/16"). Then, it was on to 3/32 rod to build the surface. IF I'd had 1/8", I'd have used it to expedite the fill, but in this case I had no choice but to use 3/32 the rest of the way. So I cranked it up and ran it around 200A so I could put down some metal before lunch.

Steve S

[LtBadd]

I generally use .030", .045" and 1/16" for the work I do. Even have some .020" for precision stuff that can be done under a microscope. In years gone by I've used as small as .010", that rod is almost like a rubber band. I have a wire holder for the small rods.

[Superiorwelding]

LtBadd,
I would like to see the wire holder for those smaller rods!
-Jonathan

[LtBadd]

LtBadd,
I would like to see the wire holder for those smaller rods!
-Jonathan

Hey Jonathan
I did have a .010" wire I put into the holder, hope you can see that. I've had this so long don't recall where I bought it.

Richard

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