Stainless tig welding wire diameter

[Johnnybravo]

I have a job that requires some 3mm stainless rod as a starting point,(425mm long) . Does anybody know , and able to confirm , preferably with a decent vernier gauge or micrometer that tig welding wire is available in 3mm?

1/8” doesn’t help me as centreless grinding it down to 3mm doesn’t make financial sense.

 

[hotponyshoes]

You might be able to find it but it's not common.
3.2mm is the default, quick look at some SIF I have here in 316 shows 3.19mm on my calipers, seems pretty consistent.
One of the premimium brands should be better.

3mm stainless bar is easily available through. Why not just use that?

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've just measured my 308l filler rod and it's 3.22mm on relatively decent digital verniers.

Suppose you should chuck it in and drill and pinch it between some sand paper but that's a faff...

As above, 3mm stainless bar/rod is available, rapid metals have 3mm 316 at 4 quid per meter plus the usual VAT and carriage

 

[Morrisman]

I have a job that requires some 3mm stainless rod as a starting point,(425mm long) . Does anybody know , and able to confirm , preferably with a decent vernier gauge or micrometer that tig welding wire is available in 3mm?

1/8” doesn’t help me as centreless grinding it down to 3mm doesn’t make financial sense.

Does it really need to be 3mm?

In the distant past I once had to roller-box =1/2” stainless down to 12mm for some unknown job. Pain in the rrs as the swarf refused to chip, just came off in razor sharp ribbons.
When more information came our way it turned out to be fireguard rod for some posh outdoor fire pit some local knob wanted building.

 

[Popcorn]

Couldn't you use MMA rods and knock the flux off ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Welding-Electrode-3-2mm/dp/B08YP9RWR6?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A1YG2BPSO8ZH0X&th=1

 

[hotponyshoes]

Couldn't you use MMA rods and knock the flux off ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Welding-Electrode-3-2mm/dp/B08YP9RWR6?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A1YG2BPSO8ZH0X&th=1

The wire inside the flux is still 3.2mm

 

[Hitch]

Just buy some 3mm stainless bar stock.

Rods are 3.2mm

 

[Johnnybravo]

Does it really need to be 3mm?

In the distant past I once had to roller-box =1/2” stainless down to 12mm for some unknown job. Pain in the rrs as the swarf refused to chip, just came off in razor sharp ribbons.
When more information came our way it turned out to be fireguard rod for some posh outdoor fire pit some local knob wanted building.

Yes, it really needs to be 3mm. Not faffing around turning 425mm lengths down that’s for sure

 

[Johnnybravo]

Just buy some 3mm stainless bar stock.

Rods are 3.2mm

What are the chances any of it will be straight if it’s supplied in 3m lengths? That’s why I was thinking welding wire as it comes processed and protected in shorter lengths.

 

[Johnnybravo]

I've just measured my 308l filler rod and it's 3.22mm on relatively decent digital verniers.

Suppose you should chuck it in and drill and pinch it between some sand paper but that's a faff...

As above, 3mm stainless bar/rod is available, rapid metals have 3mm 316 at 4 quid per meter plus the usual VAT and carriage

Thanks. Only issue is how straight will it be when it arrives having been supplied at some point,to a metal merchant in 3m lengths? Not getting into straightening it,hence me thinking the chances of getting straight material in the form of welding wire that is processed and protected in meter lengths

 

[Johnnybravo]

You might be able to find it but it's not common.
3.2mm is the default, quick look at some SIF I have here in 316 shows 3.19mm on my calipers, seems pretty consistent.
One of the premimium brands should be better.

3mm stainless bar is easily available through. Why not just use that?

What are the odds that it’s actually straight when it arrives? Hence the thought of welding wire as it’s processed and packaged accordingly

 

[hotponyshoes]

What are the odds that it’s actually straight when it arrives? Hence the thought of welding wire as it’s processed and packaged accordingly

Slim chances.

Cut down to the required length, deburr the ends.
Cable tie or wrap into a tight bundle and you'll get it stright enough with a bit of massaging.

Or try ebay. None of the big suppliers will care about keeping it straight but if you can find a smaller seller with some they'll probably be happy enough to have a look and tell you if it's straight or not.
Have it supplied in 485mm lengths and a bundle of them wrapped together should survive the post ok.

Otherwise it's going to a suppliers to choose and collect your lengths.

Most suppliers also offer extra protection for deliveries, usually for sheet metal but they'll do anything at a cost. Normally quite a cost though unless you're a regular with a good account turnover

 

[BrokenBiker]

Thanks. Only issue is how straight will it be when it arrives having been supplied at some point,to a metal merchant in 3m lengths? Not getting into straightening it,hence me thinking the chances of getting straight material in the form of welding wire that is processed and protected in meter lengths

It'll be about as straight as welding wire...my 1 metre lengths of tig filler aren't exactly the straightest material I've seen...

 

[Agroshield]

What are the chances any of it will be straight if it’s supplied in 3m lengths?

If there was enough to justify its cost, wire straightening devices are not too bad from China:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LeTkingok-Manual-Straightener-Straightening-Semi-Automatic/dp/B0BKKFH142

(also on eBay and Ali).

Does the material grade matter? TIG wire is not normally 304 or 316 but (I think) 309 or 312.

 

[Johnnybravo]

It'll be about as straight as welding wire...my 1 metre lengths of tig filler aren't exactly the straightest material I've seen...

Can only imagine what a 3m length would look like

 

[Johnnybravo]

If there was enough to justify its cost, wire straightening devices are not too bad from China:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LeTkingok-Manual-Straightener-Straightening-Semi-Automatic/dp/B0BKKFH142

(also on eBay and Ali).

Does the material grade matter? TIG wire is not normally 304 or 316 but (I think) 309 or 312.

If I have to I can make a wire straightener. Just another operation that costs money.

 

[Johnnybravo]

Have ordered 20 half meter lengths. Let’s see how bannanaed they are when they arrive on Thursday . Fingers crossed!

 

[indykid]

Stefan Gotteswinter straightening tungsten wire

Your black box requests are always fun. We never quite get enough information on the constraints to understand quite why it needs to be as it is, but try the above. Heat, stretch and twist - 5 minutes in

 

[hotponyshoes]

If the requirement is that critical you can get precision ground stainless round bar.
Not sure if it's available in that size or length but I've had 16mm×350mm before. Turned up very well packaged and perfectly straight.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Can only imagine what a 3m length would look like

My point being, if you want straight, then tig filler isn't the way to go, but if you buy a 3 meter length and cut it to single meter lengths, you are going to end up with exactly the same straightness, or lack of, as tig wire anyway...context regarding use would likely be of some help in determining the best source of material

That said, 3mm anything is going to be flexible and very unlikely to be perfectly straight out the box