[shovelon]

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.

 

[shovelon]

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.

 

[shovelon]

+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.