How To TIG Weld - Filler Rod Tips

If you’re struggling with shaky hands, awkward angles, or messy welds in TIG welding, the issue might not be your torch technique — it could be your filler hand. Most new welders focus so heavily on their torch hand that they forget one simple truth: smooth, controlled filler rod manipulation is the key to clean, consistent welds.

So, let’s flip the script. I’m going to show you one of my favourite tricks to improve how you handle the filler rod. It’s fast, it’s simple, and if you actually commit to practicing it before every weld, you’ll build serious muscle memory that’ll transform your welds. This isn’t some gimmick — this is how you level up fast.

Start by getting into your usual welding posture. You know the drill: hood up, arms positioned, everything feeling stable. Now here’s the difference. Instead of running a dry pass with your torch like everyone tells you to do, I want you to focus on your filler rod hand. Set your filler hand about 6 inches from where you’d end the weld. Don’t move your torch hand at all.

Now feed the filler material out from your hand — slowly and with control. Don’t let your filler hand travel with the rod. Keep it stationary and anchored, and feed it out through your fingers as you now start to advance the torch along your dry run. This will cause you to feed the filler material back IN, so backwards. It’s basically the reverse of what you’ll be doing during an actual weld, and it forces your brain to focus on how the feeding works to follow along with your dry run with your torch. 

This dry feed drill builds muscle memory fast. The more you do it, the more natural your hand coordination becomes. The best part? It only takes five seconds before each weld.

While we’re at it, let’s make sure you’re feeding your filler rod to the right part of the puddle. Feeding too close to the center causes your torch to lift, which messes up your arc length. Feeding too close to the leading edge makes your rod break off all messy. Instead, aim for the sweet spot — right between the leading edge and the center of the puddle.

Filler angle matters, too. Don’t feed from the side or at a steep angle. Your rod should be feeding in line with the direction of travel and sitting roughly 90 degrees in relation to your torch angle. Feed clean, feed straight, and aim for that sweet spot every time.

Now once you’ve got this technique down, don’t just stop there. Next, start experimenting with different grips. Most welders start with the classic underhand torch grip. It’s comfortable and familiar, but if you want to level up, try switching to an overhand grip. This changes your perspective on the weld and forces you to approach the puddle in a different way.

Use a welding coupon or small practice piece and try doing half the joint underhand and the other half overhand. You’ll start to understand which grip works better in certain positions and you’ll build flexibility in your technique. It’s a solid way to build comfort and confidence with both your torch and filler hands.

Still want to push further? Try bending your filler rod. If you’re welding around pipe or corners, bending the rod helps you reach tight spots without blocking your view. It allows for smoother feeding and keeps your hand out of the way. It’s a small trick that makes a big difference on complex joints.

Here’s the bottom line: TIG welding is tough because it asks you to coordinate both hands with precision. But the torch hand usually gets all the attention. Start training your filler rod hand with as much intention, and you’ll see your welds change fast. Practice feeding backward. Practice feeding around corners. Try different grips. These are the things that separate decent welders from great ones.

If you’re ready to go even deeper into TIG welding — from torch control to advanced filler techniques — check out my full YouTube lesson linked below. It covers everything in this blog and shows you how it all works in action.

👉 Watch the Full Lesson Here

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Fill and chill — we’ll talk soon.