Tig filler rods

[BillFarworth]

Hi to all!

Looking to purchase some Tig filler rods 1.0 and 1.6 to weld 316L Stainless.
What brands should I look for from your experience?
Thanks

 

[hotrodder]

I wouldn't get too hung up about brands, buy from somewhere reputable and you'll get good quality wire. Different places tend to stock different brands... Elga, ESAB/Murex, SIF and EWM seem to be among the most commonly flavours stocked. Prices vary a LOT, if you're mail ordering Weldequip (SIF) and R-Tech (looks to be EWM wire) are currently among the cheapest sources for stainless wire

 

[FranV8]

Another vote for RTech and Weldequip from me. Last order I did was from Weldequip, quick and well packaged delivery too.

 

[BillFarworth]

Is Elga similar in quality with Murrex and Esab, as a brand in terms of quality etc?

 

[TechnicAl]

None of the names mentioned actually make Stainless Steel TIG Rods or MIG wire. All of them buy it in and rename it / repack it.

These days most of them bring it in from China or from India. There are some European manufacturers, Bohler being one. Unless there has been a change I can tell you that EWM buy theirs from Europe (France).

Its not a hard and fast rule but most |European will be in carboard tubes (TIG) and Sandvik Baskets (wire spool) if its MIG. If its on a white plastic spool its probably Chinese.

As far as TIG is concerned you can get good and bad from all countries but on the balance of probablities I would choose Western European.

 

[BillFarworth]

EWM is a German brand as I know.
So you think to avoid Esab/Murex and go for EWM?
What about SIF?
Price really low!

 

[hotrodder]

Read what Al wrote again. They are brand names, they aren't making the stuff themselves, in some cases it could be the exact same wire/rods with a different name (and price) on it. AFAIK EWM and ESAB make welding machines and most of their other stuff will be made elsewhere, sometimes by a subsidary of the same parent company. I've no idea what the deal is with SIFbronze these days (is everything bought in or are they still manufacturing fluxes and a few flavours of brazing/soldering wire?)

I've got/used 316L wire with various different names written on the packet including most of those already mentioned plus Metrode (Lincoln Electric?), Inco Alloys/Special Metals and probably others too. Never had any problems and of what's currently in stock, once they're out of the packet you can't tell the difference in the way they weld etc. Certificates of comformity were available for all them. If you're shopping for the stuff via a welding forum any of 'em will be fine