New to AC need to buy some rods what to go for?

[Seaco]

Hi All

I am just starting the steep learning curve of TIG I have now practised a bit on DC and today I have decided to sort out AC but I need to buy some rods, before anyone says it depends on what your welding well I don't really know what it will be so I need a bit of an all rounder I suppose I do have a bit of aluminium chequer plate to practise on, do you think I should go for 5356 or 4043 one of the main problems I have is I don't really know what each of the grades are really for also I'm thinking 2.4mm as a size unfortunately I haven't the money to just buy some of each at the moment?

I have an 200amp AC/DC welder...

An help really appreciated

Lee

 

[pedrobedro]

Have a read of the Lincoln guide, it should help you choose. I've used 5356 on chequer plate to make a KTM bash plate and it worked. Go to Weldequip site at the top of the page and buy a maintenance pack of each, plenty to be going on with.

 

[Seaco]

Thanks Pedro, I will order some I suppose it's fine if you know what the base aluminium is but that won't be the case very often with what I'll be doing, still I'll try a bit of both...

Lee

 

[toddy]

i would go with the 4043 as an allrounder
as it is a silicone based it will flow better,

 

[Richard.]

ER4043 is a general purpose all round consumable.like Toddy said it contains around 5% silicone which helps it's weldability with wetting and is less sensitive to cracking. It's a common choice for having a dabble.

 

[Paul G]

Pssssst. It's silicon,


unless your welding round the top of your bath.