"Party pack" of rods?

[cardiffrob]

Surely it is a business opportunity for someone? Get a supply of all of the rods that get commonly ordered and sell a 5kg-sh pack containing most sizes of rods for the commonest materials.
A sort of "starter pack" for those of us who are new to the game and want to try different jobs before we order a whacking great pack of rods for a job we might never again perform.

Somehing like ....
1/2kg stainless 1.6mm, 1/2kg stainless 2.4mm, 1/2kg 4340 at 1.6mm, 1/2kg 4340 at 3.6mm, etc etc etc

I've got a stainless exhaust bung to weld on but don't really want to buy 1kg of rods (plus P&P) or 2.5kg at the local place for the same sort of price.

Does this make sense?

 

[matt1978]

It does make sense, but I doubt it would be comercially viable for a welding distributor or online resaler to put together.

You would need to do it amongst yourselves, something like a purchasing club.

 

[Shox Dr]

there's a few people on fleabay selling small amounts of rod, but to be honest with you, now you have bought the set, you might as well just buy a 1kg of what you need, it doesn't take long to use it up. Here is a thread I started on common rods you might like to keep

 

[Angusdog]

I went to the local welding store (nationwide chain) to ask about TIG brazing rods. They had loads of advice then gave me a couple to try, gratis. So it may be worth dropping by yours and asking. They may grab a bundle of ones you'd have the most success with & charge a nominal fee.

 

[cardiffrob]

I tried that yesterday. Nothing doing! Their packages are sealed so there isn't any way to sneak one out.
I bought a small pack of rods off of ebay but will probably just have to spend out on a large stash of them. Oh well, more expense!

 

[TechnicAl]

You can get stick rods in 1kg packs but TIG is different. Mild steel makes up by far the largest sales followed by the common stainless steels. You actually use a different type of machine for ally so usually thats all they weld. Therfore those who want MS and Ally together are few and far between.
I should get a 2.5kg pack, take what you want and put the remainder on ebay. If you decide to keep it make sure its stored in a warm dry place as Ally does deteriorate.

 

[hotrodder]

Weldequip sells 'maintenance packs' for the common wires, see the forum shop. IIRC SIF do 1kg packs for Al, stainless and copper alloys. Min quantity for steel wire is/was 2.5kg packs.

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

I suppose it would be a case of knowing how many beginners are out there.

A related idea I would suggest is a mixed tungsten pack with different sizes of tungsten rather than 10 all the same.

 

[quattro]

Just buy 1kg of s/s rods they will never rust and you will use them again, if you can aford the tig in the first place £20 on rods aint going to break the bank is it?

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

Just buy 1kg of s/s rods they will never rust and you will use them again, if you can aford the tig in the first place £20 on rods aint going to break the bank is it?

For general purpose stuff around the workshop and garden would s/s work be ok mild steel? What kind of issues would issues would mixing metals introduce?

 

[rohart]

A mixed pack - a great idea. No way can I afford the space for 1kg of any rod. As it is, I cut every rod I buy in half, both for storage, and so when I'm welding the rod doesn't get stuck in the ceiling fan !

I have a half size cardboard box with about a dozen different rod types - probably 1/4 lb each of the most used rods. If I had to have 1kg of each, bang goes another shelf.