using clother hanger for filler rod

**wannabee welder** · 01-20-2006, 12:25 AM

are clothes hangers any good for filler rod? I was practicing with them when i had my scratch start machine, but are they good for anything else?

**Mike W** · 01-20-2006, 12:29 AM

They are real good for hanging clothes.

**Fishy Jim** · 01-20-2006, 12:29 AM

It's myriad orders of magnitude more cost effective to spend the $2/lb and buy appropriate tig filler rod that's already straight and the correct gauge for the job you're doing than stealing hangers from the closet or the dry cleaning.

**wannabee welder** · 01-20-2006, 12:35 AM

we were actually just throwing them out today and i figured they would be ok to practice with.

**enlpck** · 01-20-2006, 07:56 AM

Biggest problem with hangers is coatings on the wire. Straightening them is annoying, but removing the coating is a real pain. And, you don't know what the material is. Some are a high quality steel wire, others are garbage. None have the desirable alloying elements for filler wire (to keep the weld metal ductile, deoxidizers in the proper amount, etc)

**Pangea** · 01-20-2006, 09:13 AM

I have used them on several projects. The welds haven't failed and some are under terrible stress. They are a last resort for when you don't have any of the proper rod available. IMHO

**TJJ** · 01-20-2006, 11:55 AM

If your stranded on an island 5000 miles from nowhere, OK

Otherwise, use some store bought tig rod. $15. worth of filler and you can practice till your arms fall off. Don't bother with coat hangers.

You can make your own toothpicks too. Don't know anyone who does though.

.

**hankj** · 01-20-2006, 11:55 AM

Wannabee,

Do yourself a favor and don't start off on the wrong foot. If you happend on some wire coathangers from 30 years ago, they may be useful, but the wire coat hanger of today is nothing like the old ones. They are LOUSY filler metal. I'd use one on an emergency, non-critical weld if it was all I had, but it would be a stretch.

Filler is pretty cheap, especially ER70S-2 for TIG - around $2/lb.

Hank

**wannabee welder** · 01-20-2006, 12:30 PM

yeah dude, they are old school. They are real stiff. I dont plan on doing anything structural with them only practice.

**wannabee welder** · 01-20-2006, 12:31 PM

when I do start building my manifold would you reccomend ER70S-2?

**MAC702** · 01-20-2006, 12:42 PM

Assuming mild steel, yes. Or S-6.

**storts** · 01-20-2006, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by hankj

Wannabee,

Do yourself a favor and don't start off on the wrong foot. If you happend on some wire coathangers from 30 years ago, they may be useful, but the wire coat hanger of today is nothing like the old ones. They are LOUSY filler metal. I'd use one on an emergency, non-critical weld if it was all I had, but it would be a stretch.

Filler is pretty cheap, especially ER70S-2 for TIG - around $2/lb.

Hank

Hi There!!!!My first dune buggy i built when i was 16 i gas welded with coat hangers,,,,wouldnt do it today,,but it was still on the road 10 years ago,,when i built the new house,Almost time?????????Remember Pal,,,its 5 oclock some where

Jack

**Meach** · 01-20-2006, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by wannabee welder

yeah dude, they are old school. They are real stiff. I dont plan on doing anything structural with them only practice.

"DUDE" Geese I hate that term.........Guess I'm showin my age!

**ricki beaver** · 01-20-2006, 08:25 PM

naw don't use them for welding,cuz then you don't anylace to hang yer clothes(tee hee).back wwwwwwwway back when probably when alot of of the welders that visit here were small children,welding(gas welding could be done to some degree of success with coat hanger but even then it was real" low budget")please do not go therenot evrn with practice ,it's a waste of time AND gas ,BUT keep on weldin,you'll get there

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