Played with all of them while practicing and used the 4943 on the recent cast repair.
Can't contrast one to the other on the cast aluminum repair as I only used 4943 and all I can say is it did the job.
BUT... for me there is a huge difference between 4943 and 5356. The 4943 flows/wets so much sooner/easier than the 5356. For me that's not necessarily a positive. While welding 6061 square tubing as practice drills the pieces can get extremely hot. With the 5356 I have to speed up travel to keep up with it - but I can. The 4943, on the other hand, simply wets out and flattens out and eventually falls out. Backing off the amps and fast travel can't seem to adapt enough with very hot work pieces.
I know I can let the pieces cool and on occasion I do just that. But as part of my practice regimen I'm trying to learn how to increase my travel speed to accommodate for extreme conditions. As stated the pieces are extremely hot. I'm using 3/32" rod in most cases but have tried 1/16" just for the halibut. That turns into the comedy hour real quick!
Just as a note... 4043 seems to be middle ground between 5356 and 4943. 'Least that's what it seems like to me - as far as wetting out/flowing goes.
I always keep an eye out for 4943 at my LWSs because I’ve long wanted to try it, but have yet to ever find any. Guess I may have to just order some.
Seems like a trend that LWSs never seem to carry the latest and greatest gear. Same with cups, the nicer GLs, and tungsten too. Kind of odd.
Seems like a trend that LWSs never seem to carry the latest and greatest gear. Same with cups, the nicer GLs, and tungsten too. Kind of odd.