my husband bought me welding rods ???

Trish915 · #1 2013-09-07, 5:39pm

I mentioned to my husband that I had seen something on here about using TIG rods for lampwork. He just brought home a box of welding rods, and I don't think they are what I need. They seem to have a coating on them.

the box says: Stick Electrode E7018

I'm sure he can return them if they are not right. help!

Rough_necked · #2 2013-09-07, 5:50pm

E7018 is a stick welding electrode for arc welding. You want a TIG fill rod in a stainless steel alloy. Sorry but I can't remember what one.

Raimond · #3 2013-09-07, 5:51pm

I think its 308 but it could be 316.

echeveria · #4 2013-09-07, 5:53pm

316 is better

echeveria · #5 2013-09-07, 5:54pm

Or wait, maybe that is just the size I prefer??

ElementalsDesign · #6 2013-09-07, 6:02pm

Nope... all the different alloys of TIG rod (308, 316, etc.) come in all different sizes. Those numbers refer to the stainless steel alloy from which the rod is made

~Rachel
P.S. 316 is "food grade" stainless. I have never understood why anyone would think it makes better mandrels (unless you're also planning on using them as chopsticks ;}

losthelm · #7 2013-09-07, 6:39pm

308 or 316 are the most common alloys for mandrels.
They are usually 36" long.
Some shops repackage them into one or five pound bags or sell them by the rod.
My local shop has a better price in the 10 lbs box or tube.

Trish915 · #8 2013-09-08, 6:43am

thank you all! Looks like we get to make a trip to Harbor Freight today! Love that place

julieann1674 · #9 2013-09-08, 8:24am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElementalsDesign

Nope... all the different alloys of TIG rod (308, 316, etc.) come in all different sizes. Those numbers refer to the stainless steel alloy from which the rod is made

~Rachel
P.S. 316 is "food grade" stainless. I have never understood why anyone would think it makes better mandrels (unless you're also planning on using them as chopsticks ;}

Very, true I agree with many of you. 308 is definitely sufficient and much cheaper. Like other members have also said, 10lbs or more you can get a better deal. I use an angle grinder to cut mine and then a PorterCable bench top grinder to debur.

losthelm · #10 2013-09-08, 11:32am

I'm not sure if HF stocks stainless TIG rod.
I could not find it on the web page.
They do have a varity of tweezers and such that are useful.

Blue Weaver · #11 2013-09-08, 11:36am

Harbor Freight is a great store and am glad to know they have welding rods! I'll have to stop by when I am in town Tues. and check out their prices. So, 308 stainless is the kind to get. Thank you!

LAbeaddragon · #12 2013-09-08, 2:25pm

I use 308L. The L stands for low iron. I cut mine with bolt cutters.

Eileen · #13 2013-09-08, 6:24pm

My HF doesn't have the TIG rods, but a local welding shop does up to 1/8th".
I went to one in another area, and he didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for 308L or 316L though.

losthelm · #14 2013-09-08, 6:43pm

Odd,
Usually 308 stainless TIG rod is enough in most welding shops.

RSimmons · #15 2013-09-08, 6:52pm

Many of us use 3/32 mandrels, sort of by convention. There is a marginal difference between 308 and 316 steel that most folks don't notice. I usually use 316L but 308 does pretty well. You need uncoated filler rod, whichever alloy you choose to use. Bolt cutters are good for cutting to length and a grinding wheel is good for rounding off the ends. When you buy welding rods it's a good idea to either run them through the torch flame or an annealing cycle in the kiln to make it easier for the bead release to stick.

Robert

kbinkster · #16 2013-09-10, 8:25am

I use 316L, 3/32", and I cut three lengths from each welding rod. My husband grinds the ends for me to deburr them and to make sure they are smaller than the rest of the rod so the beads don't get stuck.

Trish915 · #17 2013-09-10, 11:24am

Didn't have time to hit Harbor Freight last weekend. Not sure if they do carry the rods, so may have to give them a call first. At least now I know what to look for! Thanks to all

Katie · #18 2013-09-10, 12:57pm

When I went to the welding shop they called them brazing rods not welding rods.
They had no flux (Brazing ones).
Katie

Dragonharper · #19 2013-09-10, 4:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie

When I went to the welding shop they called them brazing rods not welding rods.
They had no flux (Brazing ones).
Katie

Brazing rods are a whole other animal. Most brazing rods are either a brass or silver alloy and melt at a higher temperature than solder but at a lower temperature than the metal being joined. Thye come fluxed and fluxless.

RSimmons · #20 2013-09-10, 5:45pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie

When I went to the welding shop they called them brazing rods not welding rods.
They had no flux (Brazing ones).
Katie

You need to ask for 'filler rod', not brazing rod. I use 316 but 308 will do OK.

robert

Zeke · #21 2013-09-10, 7:42pm

I did a search on Grainger.com for TIG 316 Filler Rod and found the item at the link below. It doesn't specifically state this is stainless steel, it refers to it as mild steel. For future reference, is this the correct rod type?

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...peaheadSearch=

losthelm · #22 2013-09-10, 8:02pm

Not quite gainger has a lot of stuff but that's arc welding rod.
Try this from fastenal
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products...endingMachine=
It's a 10lbs box so it will last for years.

Alaska · #23 2013-09-11, 1:59am

Give Air Gas or Air Liquide, both welding supply firms a try. Many places have both in the same town.

As indicated above ask for Stainless steel TIG filler rod. It comes in a variety of sizes. 1/8, 3/32 inches, etc in 36 inch lenghts. A ten pound box is less costly per pound than 1 pound tubes.