ER880-116X36 - 880 Universal Maintenance TIG Rod - 1/16 in - 10lb Tube

The Ultimate Problem Solver for Maintenance Welding

When you are out in the field or working in a busy maintenance shop, you don't always have the luxury of knowing exactly what grade of steel you are working on. Equipment breaks, shafts snap, and dies crack—often without a blueprint in sight. This is where the Josef Gas 880 TIG Rod (1/16" x 36") shines. Known as the "universal" maintenance rod, the 880 alloy is engineered specifically to take the guesswork out of repair welding.

This premium TIG filler metal is formulated with a specialized high-chromium, high-nickel composition that creates a weld deposit with exceptional strength and ductility. Unlike standard mild steel rods that may crack when welding high-carbon or alloyed steels, the 880 rod produces a deposit that yields to stress rather than breaking. This makes it the go-to choice for repairing broken bolts, springs, tool steels, and drive shafts. It is capable of joining dissimilar metals—such as stainless steel to carbon steel—with a bond that is often stronger than the base metal itself.

Key Benefits for the Fabricator

The 1/16" diameter is perfect for fine detail work on dies or thinner gauge materials where heat input must be controlled. The rod flows smoothly under 100% Argon shielding gas, producing a bead that is dense, porosity-free, and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the deposit is fully machinable, allowing you to build up worn surfaces on shafts or gears and then machine them back to original tolerance. Whether you are repairing a cracked transmission housing or joining a tool steel cutting edge to a mild steel backing, the Josef Gas 880 TIG Rod delivers reliability when you need it most.

Common Applications

• Tool & Die Repair: Excellent for repairing cracks in H13, A2, and D2 dies.


• Dissimilar Joining: Welds stainless to mild steel, or alloy steel to carbon steel.


• Broken Stud Removal: Can be used to build up broken studs for extraction.


• Wear Resistance: The deposit work-hardens, providing good resistance to friction and wear.