Uh, who was talking about TIG?

Ignoramus32681 wrote:

I am confused. Why would stick electrodes, per lb of actual weld
material (minus slag) be any cheaper than, say, tig filler.

For example, TIG filler rod 70S-2 costs $15.40 per 5 lb at McMaster,
item 96F4915.

E7018 welding electrodes cost $13 per 5 lb. item 7973A577. A little
less, but consider that every pound of stick electrodes contains a lof
of flux than is not present in tig electrodes.

So, tig welding beads do not have any more $$ in them than stick
welding beads (although gas adds up to cost).