2% lanthanated is a good all around choice for tungsten, both AC and DC applications. I do prefer 2% thoriated for DC though.

Generally speaking there are many choices for tig filler, but I have honed them down to the basics.
My choice for mild steel is ER70s-2.
My choice for 304 stainless is ER308L.
My choice for alum is either ER4943 or ER5356.

 

2% lanthanated is a good all around choice for tungsten, both AC and DC applications.

+1 The only thing I would add is I use 3/32 tungsten for virtually everything steel, and 1/8 tungsten for almost everything aluminum. I would say choose the rod based on the task. If you are just laying beads on plate to learn, 4043 is hard to beat for aluminum.

 

Good comment on the tungstens. I do the same. I have about about 1500 3/32 tungstens at the ready cause the points foul quickly. A single AC 1/8 tungsten can last days without repoint, and can last months before too short.

 

Speaking of the tungstens I listed, I use them both. I point the thoriated for DC applications on both ends. I point the Lanthanated on only one end. This allows me to identify each.


As far as the fillers I listed, those are basic. However for mystery steels, tool steels, or free machining steels and stainless steels, I have some high strength, high ferrite ER312 for those applications. ER312 is the base chemistry for "Harris SuperMissileWeld", which is the pricey but pinnicle of troubleshooting steel tig filler. I have many many other tig fillers but I use these day in, day out.

 

Wow, first post in seven years...welcome to the forum!

What they said. Can't have too much 3/32" 2% lanthanated tungsten. I've done well getting them on ebay from weldingcity.

Fillers for mild steel - Might as well get some 70S2, 70S6.

For SS - ER316L is nice to have. 309 is nice for dissimilar metals. So is 310 – which is also good for welding medium- and high-carbon steel if you ever need to. ER310 is 25% Cr and 20% Ni so it has a lot of ductility (high-carbon steel has a tendency to get brittle and crack after welding due to the quenching effect of cooling after welding, as well as carbide migration into the weld deposit – or something like that. Anyway, I've used it for a big impact socket and it's held up to a lot of abuse. )

Might want to get some silicon bronze filler for brazing stuff.

Best of luck with your new welder.

 

This chart is a little overwhelming but really useful for choosing the right filler for aluminum. There's so many choices and a lot of depends on the service conditions the weld will see and the characteristics you want in the weld.

I agree for practice 4043 is great but it's best to know your base metals and use this chart for to make sure you meet all the requirements. This chart works best if you print it out and tape the two pages side by side.

 

Save this link. Great resource for settings.

https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/weld-setting-calculators

It is also a app on play store you can load on your phone.

 

its really going to come down to what material you can get to practice on. most likely you will find the common metals.
for steel 70-s2 or 70s6
for stainless 316. 304 and 316 are common grades of stainless and both can be welded with 316.
for aluminium 4043 and 5356 are the two most common rods used. depends a lot on what grade metal you can find to weld.

tungsten, 3/32 2% lanthanated will do all of it up to ~200 amps which is fine for air cooled torches.

 

Welcome to the forum!