Which Tungsten and filler rod?

**jodia037** · 10-08-2009, 02:33 PM

Hello everyone, I am about to purchase the ArcMate 200ACDC so I wanted to get a head start on buying consumables. I am unsure which kind and size of tungsten and filler rods I will need for different materials.

Which tungsten and filler rod for aluminum?

Which tungsten and filler rod for chromoly and mild steel?

Thanks
Jose

**Gadget** · 10-08-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi Jose, and welcome to the forum.
I use grey tungsten in 1/16 and 3/32 for most applications. This is good for aluminum as well. As for aluminum filler, I just bought AL filler rod at the local welding store and being a fairly new TIG welder didn't pay any attention to the filler rod type other than aluminum. I have had pretty good success with it though.
There are others here who can answer you better but I wanted to get your post approved and welcome you here.
again,
Welcome

**jodia037** · 10-08-2009, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I guess I get some 1/16.

Now do I get ceriated or thoriated?

---------- Post added at 08:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 PM ----------

Thanks for the welcome.

Should I gey ceriated or thoriated?

**LONGEVITY** · 10-08-2009, 06:33 PM

Jodia037

If you are doing aluminum, get ceriated. Thoriated will work for DC welding. Ceriated in inverters can work on both AC and DC.

**jodia037** · 10-08-2009, 07:09 PM

Thanks.

How about filler rods for aluminum, mild steel, chromoly?

**Gadget** · 10-08-2009, 07:12 PM

Longevity Tech or Junes can best answer that one, they should respond fairly soon. Longevity has tungsten electrodes available on the website Plasma Cutters, Stick / Combo Welders & Diesel Generators. The gray ones are ceriated.

**KHK** · 10-08-2009, 11:22 PM

Welcome Jose! Please see attached chart for Al filler rod. I do not know the author. I found the info on the web.. someware...

**junes** · 10-09-2009, 03:37 PM

if you really dont know what to use for chromemolly then most likely you should not be using it. But if you insist then er70-s2 or er80-s2 is what i use. If your not post stress relieving use er70-s6 if you are then use the other. For filller just get some 5356 for aluminum and some er70-s6 for steel thats your go to fillers for the most part. If your doing stainless then you have to match alot more closely and thats a whole nother topic. Tungsten use 1/16 or 3/32 thorated for steel and 1/16 or 3/32 cerated for aluminum. I personaly dont like cerated for steel but some do just your opinion. That should get you goin and also when buying filler and tungsten buy name brand stuff it is a little more expensive but in the long run they are alot better.