Best metal to start

[thinfourth]

I've got a nice ac/dc welder on its way to me.

I have loads of mild steel around but I plan on eventually welding stainless and aluminium.

So what is the best to learn to TIG and do I want thick or thin metal?

 

[shenion]

Start with mild steel 1/8" or so (3-4mm). 3/32 filler (2.4mm) (I used 1/16") 2.4mm electrode.

Same with aluminum, 1/8" is a good place to start.

Once you get comfortable with that size, thin and thicker are easier.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

I would go for some 1.6mm filler rod to start with.
Much easier to handle when you are first starting off and getting used to how much to put in you can slow it down as you are taking longer having the filler rod in the weld pool.

 

[Georgie]

i started with aluminum. happy I did. Makes you pay attention to all the little details, and teaches you good positioning, cause it gets hot fast! This makes you think about how you should position the parts to be welded and your body before you strike an arc or dab any filler.

Run a few dozen beeds on plate, then start to take scrap aluminum pieces, square tubing, plate, angles, pipes whatever scrap you have and start to build ****. Anything, literally! The last thing you wanna do is WAST tones of time just running beads. Jump into it, make it happen. You learn ALOT more like that in LESS time.

G