Consumables for Beginner

[Gizmo.Y]

About to purchase my first TIG, The Eastwood Tig200 from Frosts.

It comes supplied with a Red Tungsten, but no filler rods. Looking to start with 1-2mm alloy.

As a beginner, what Tungsten's and Fillers rods should I stock? as no doubt im going to burn through them whilst practising.

Many Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

2% lanthanated (gold tip) should be fine for AC & DC, 1.6MM diameter will be fine for 1-2MM.
The type of filler rod depends what type of metal you're working with.

For stainless you're mostly okay with 308L, aluminium its either 4043 or 5356 & mild steel I'd go for A15 or A18. Diameters is usually the same as tungsten size depending on how you like to weld.

 

[Richard.]

2% lanth is blue I believe and A18 is mag wire best used with an active gas. TechnicAl explains better herehttp://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/best-selection-of-rods-for-a-workshop.22172/#post-243247
A15 is a common go to mild steel filler. Alu has many filler types but the common 2 choices are 4043 (5% si) and 5356 (5% mag) a lot of Alu grades can be welded with either one but depending on the application 1 is more suited than the other. Hotrodder is an Alu guru and will be able to go into much more depth on what flavour is suited for what grade/application. For example 5356 is not suitable for high heat exposure in service and not suited for cast Alu repairs. 4043 is more ductile but the trade off with ductility is its not as strong as 5356.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Indeed you're right Richard, 2% lanthanted is blue.. Gold is 1.5%
A18 is a type of MIG wire but I've got some of this stuff http://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/sifsteel-a18-10mm-460-p.asp that works nice on mild steel.