Who cuts their 36" tig filler down?

[Fishy Jim]

Just noticed that HTP sells 18" aluminum filler rod, and says everyone cuts their 3'ers as soon as they pick them up.

I've bent mine to go around corners, but never cut it unless it's getting in the way of being added to the joint.

Anyone else chop their wire short? It's the first I've seen it even mentioned.

[Billet Benny]

I often do.. Especially on sizes 3/32" and up.

[Tailshaft56]

The shorter length can be easier to handle, especially for people just starting out in tig.

[Sundown]

The shorter length can be easier to handle, especially for people just starting out in tig.

I normally cut mine, my tig & table is setup in a corner and the 36" length seems to bang against everything if I don't.

[Tailshaft56]

That's a very good reason.

[Bulldog]

Hey Fish,
I have a cutting pliers right on my tig wire rack. I pick up the wire, cut it in half, and then hit the pieces with a Scothbright cloth.
Bulldog

[tigman250]

i don't cut unless they are hitting something.

[Matt@RFR]

I rarely cut mine down unless I'm in a situation like others have stated. If you do much welding, it can get pretty wastefull.

[Fishy Jim]

Thanks for the responses guys. I can see where it might be easier with the larger fillers. Like I said, I had just never heard anyone claiming half of weldors did it automatically.

I have worn out ****s I leave on my mig machine for cutting steel. It's just so rare to need to "produce" a short piece of filler. I typically have a half used one on hand anyway when I need to get into a tight spot.

[TheRealSpinner]

I usually cut my 1/16" filler in half because it is less flimsy. I find that the shorter lengths are easier to aim and are more accurate. With larger than 1/16", I find it unnecessary. I agree with Matt@RFR and Coalsmoke, it does tend to be wasteful to cut in half, and it is easier to store 36" pieces.

[OldSparks]

Everything I use is cut in halve and it was only recently that I even heard of anyone using a full length filler. Surprised to hear so many other people leave them long.

[Matt@RFR]

I never understood cutting filler in half, personally. I use everything from .035" to 1/8" and never cut them down unless the situation calls for it.

[Fishy Jim]

The smallest I use is .045 and that just gets a 90 bent on the cold end before being added to the tube so I don't grab it when I'm going for 1/16".

Even the 1/8" (which really sucks to use with a 150A machine btw) was never a problem at full length.

Just goes to show how there are so many different techniques and styles out there.

Makes me wonder how many flatten their tungsten points for DC?

[Szelag]

3/32 I keep to length.. 1/16" even.

.045" I defin snip in two or else its floppin all around.

[MMW]

Not me.---MMW---