Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi All
I just ordered my tungstens, 1 box of 2% lanthanated 1/16th and 1 box of 3/32nd 2% lanthanated. Which filler materials should I purchase for the TIG and the Stick electrodes (Not good with the numbers yet, i'm just getting started). I will pick up a bottle of Argon locally unfortunately it will have to be a smaller bottle so I can handle it and fit it in my car.

Thanks

Welcome. How big is you machine? And what kind is it? Depending on how many amps you have and what features it has will determine what kinds of rod and rod sizes that will be recomended.

Poland308 wrote:Welcome. How big is you machine? And what kind is it? Depending on how many amps you have and what features it has will determine what kinds of rod and rod sizes that will be recomended.

The machine is an Everlast PowerTig 210EXT, AC\DC 210 amp Tig, 160 amp Stick.

You'll need collets and collet bodies to fit your tungsten (1/16 and 3/32) AND your torch. Then you'll need ceramic cups that you select to accommodate the thickness of metal you're welding on. The Miller TIG weld calculator offers a cup size (as well as tungsten size, gas flow rate, amperage, etc.)
https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/w ... calculator

If you're ordering online, I've had good experiences ordering consumables from WeldingCity.com.

As for stick electrodes,
/ edit / cut / snip /
I started to respond in detail but I don't want to start a Ford vs. Chevy, swear by - swear at, tastes great - less filling debate. Your choice of electrode can depend on your application, or which one you wind up liking the best. I like 6011 rods cause my Dad taught me on 6011s. Many people find 7018 rods easier to run. 6013 is a low penetration rod suitable for exhaust pipes, for instance. 6010s don't run well on inverters, unless the machine is designed to handle 6010.

If I was going to do it all over again, I would avoid the temptation to over-buy. I must have bought every different size TIG cup and a sample of every different stick electrode in every size I could find, and I just don't use it all.

Artie F. Emm wrote:You'll need collets and collet bodies to fit your tungsten (1/16 and 3/32) AND your torch. Then you'll need ceramic cups that you select to accommodate the thickness of metal you're welding on. The Miller TIG weld calculator offers a cup size (as well as tungsten size, gas flow rate, amperage, etc.)
https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/w ... calculator

If you're ordering online, I've had good experiences ordering consumables from WeldingCity.com.

As for stick electrodes,
/ edit / cut / snip /
I started to respond in detail but I don't want to start a Ford vs. Chevy, swear by - swear at, tastes great - less filling debate. Your choice of electrode can depend on your application, or which one you wind up liking the best. I like 6011 rods cause my Dad taught me on 6011s. Many people find 7018 rods easier to run. 6013 is a low penetration rod suitable for exhaust pipes, for instance. 6010s don't run well on inverters, unless the machine is designed to handle 6010.

If I was going to do it all over again, I would avoid the temptation to over-buy. I must have bought every different size TIG cup and a sample of every different stick electrode in every size I could find, and I just don't use it all.

Thanks for the info and link, I just want to buy enough so I can practice without having to go to the store every other day.

hey, thought id throw in my two cents as im currently just passed the phase you're going through right now, bought all my rods for my new welder last week. for stick i'd say you cant go wrong with 7018 and 6011, and as someone previously said, 6013 can come in handy for thinner stuff, as for tig i somewhat followed jody's video. the ones i got recommended in a previous post similar to this was: Carbon steel: 70-s2 , stainless steel: 308-L, aluminum: 4943.


regards

noah

Least honorable wrote:hey, thought id throw in my two cents as im currently just passed the phase you're going through right now, bought all my rods for my new welder last week. for stick i'd say you cant go wrong with 7018 and 6011, and as someone previously said, 6013 can come in handy for thinner stuff, as for tig i somewhat followed jody's video. the ones i got recommended in a previous post similar to this was: Carbon steel: 70-s2 , stainless steel: 308-L, aluminum: 4943.


regards

noah

Awesome, added to the list. Thanx

Picked up an 80cf bottle of argon and filler material for Aluminum, Stainless and mild steel. Almost ready to embarrass myself.