Welding rods are lengths of mild steel that are used to fill the welds created in ox-acetylene welding or a type of welding known as "gas sheild arc welding". Generically the rods are called "filler metals". We have had a number of people question the quality of these rods. These rods are very carefully controlled in their composition and quality. The reason is that they are used by bonded welders that must certify the quality of the work.
Rods typically come in 1/16", 3/32", 1/8" and 3/16". For use with RODCHUCK, we are interested only in the 3/32" for 2-56 and 1/8" for 4-40. Pick up some of the other sizes they are quite useful in other applications.
The most useful material is mild steel called ER 70S-3. The secret decoder ring is shown in the attached diagram for what this means. The important number is the 70, which denotes 70,000 psi of tensile strength. Without a lecture in strength of materials suffice it to say this is good.
Look in the yellow pages under welding supplies. Undoubtably there will be an outlet listed even in rural areas. After all farm equipment and heavy equipment are constantly in need of repair. Drop by and ask for welding filler rods. They should cost about $2 - $3 per pound and will come in 36" lengths. The mild steel rods are copper flashed to keep them from rusting (it also makes them easy to solder!).
You may be tempted to think that a pound is a life time supply. Well after you have spent some time using these rods you will find your self using them for everything from coat hooks to tail wires. They become necessities like duct tape and CA glue.