what consumables?

[brianblock]

Got my first Tig (161amp Ac/dc)
and i want to get started on some scrap i picked up at work, scrap is all aluminium of unknown types and mostly 3mm although there are a couple of bits of 5mm

What size rods and tungstens will i need? is it a case of matching the size of both?

also i'll be onto some mild steel too soon so may as well get rods at same time, for steel around the 1.5mm mark

also anyone recommend some gloves? ive got pretty small hands 8-9 size


thanks guys

 

[Paul.]

For your 3 and 5mm aluminium I would use a 2.4 zirconiated tungsten and 2.4 filler rods, some 4043 grade will do you,
For 1.5mm mild steel (and stainless) go down to a 1.6 tungsten, thoriated or ceriated, and some 1mm or 1.6 filler, probably best to have both sizes available if possible, but if you only want to spend out on one go for the 1mm and feed it a bit quicker.