Rg45

[axehind]

Hey all,

I was buying some more welding rods to use with my O/A setup and I noticed that they have this cheaper rod called RG45. I read the specs on it and it seems like a good all around rod. Besides being not as strong, are there any dis-advantages to using this type of rod? It's a **** of alot cheaper than the ER70S rod I'm using now.

Thanks,
axehind

[cope]

Thirty years ago you just walked in the welding Supply and bought rods. The only thing I have read is not to use high silicon content Tig rods for O/A.

[axehind]

I bought 5 pounds of 3/32 ER70 rod a couple of weeks ago and it was about $19. This stuff (RG45) is between 79-93 cents a pound. From what I can read about it, it's easier to grind and has a lower tensile strength of 45,000 psi minimum. Compared to ER70 which is 70,000 psi. I dont mind the lower strength, I doubt it will make any difference in anything that I weld. But I have never used this type of rod and was just wondering if there was anything I should know about it.

axehind

[dseman]

RG45 for tig!

Axehind,

If I understand your post correctly, you are trying to save money by using a gas welding filler (RG45) instead of a mig or tig filler rod (E70S-?). RG45 is a rimmed steel filler that when remelted will continue in the carbon-oxygen reaction. The relatively low temp. of the OA flame minimizes boiling from the carbon-oxygen reaction and the slow solidification rate allows almost all of the gaseous reaction products to escape. However, when using this under a tig arc, which is much higher in temperature, and has a faster solidification rate, you will end up with excessive porosity. This is paraphrased from an excellant book entitled "Welding Metallurgy", Vol2 by Linnert.

If you spent enough money to get a decent tig setup, why are you cheaping out on one of the most critical elements which plays a huge importance to the overall final weld quality? If you want to go cheap, buy some cheap angle grinders from harbor freight where at the worst they will burn out prematurely. I wouldn't sacrifice a weld to save a few dimes. Sorry for the rant.

-dseman

[dseman]

Axehind,

Sorry I think I misinterpreted your question. If you had been using E70S-6 for OA, then yes you can use RG45 or RG60 since these are designed specifically for OA welding of steel. The E70S are solid wires for mig, or you can use the smaller dia. for tig also.

-dseman

[JTMcCracken]

That RG45 is going to be a wonderfull rod to use for you, O/A, no great strength requirement, buy in bulk, and weld away!

regards,
JTMcC.

[axehind]

dseman,

No worries about the misunderstanding. My current welding rods for my O/A setup have ER70S-6 stamped on them. So I guess they make gas (O/A) welding rods to those specs as well as the wire.

axehind