A couple of queries

[Craig-S]

So firstly thanks to all those that gave advice on buying a setup for my daughter, it seems we are almost there and I reckon I'll be learning along side her (need a new hobby)

We went with a shop soiled R-Tech ACDC 171 which really just looked like someone opened the box and that was also, its mint, however because she has smaller hands we swapped out the WP26 torch that comes with it for a WP17 torch with a gas lens kit (R-tech make a CK copy) - a question regarding this, would CK consumables be compatible? i.e. the wedge collets as opposed to the standard?

Now that its all setup, for us to get some practice, apart from buying 3mm coupons from amazon (ridiculous i know) how easy is it to get hold of scrap sheet to get practising? DIY shops? I have seen scrap metal sites but none list selling and only buying

We also need some kind of heavy steel plate, ideally to attach the ground clamp, I have a solid workbench with 3" thick top but ideally i dont want to burn it out of existence. i see bench toppers, but they are either pricey or look a bit flimsy, what are our options here?

cheers in advance

 

[chrismac]

Well done on your purchase, if its standard gas lens the collets will be compatible, yes swing by your nearest metal working place and ask to buy some stuff out their scrap bin, when your there get a small piece of maybe 10mm sheet 500mmx 500mm or what ever suits your needs to work on (bigger if you want) you might get the scrap thrown in.

 

[indykid]

Personally, if it had to be a gas cooled torch, I'd get a flexible head WP9 and use WP20 consumables. In fact this was my route until I made a water cooler and now use a WP20. If you're concerned about the current capacity, buy thinner sheet for practicing. You'll learn more welding 1mm sheet than 3, but all the 1mm skills will transfer to thicker material. The other way, not so much.

I haven't used them but the wedge style collets always looked like a bit of a gimmick. I wouldn't rush to use them from the start. Industry have been using conventional collets for decades, just try not to overheat them and don't crank them down to death.

If you're welding on a wooden bench top, steel is good, but more important is an air gap. Weld some nuts to the back of your plate to space it off the bench a bit and stop the conduction path. Unless you're using it for fixturing though, you simply don't need a dirty great steel plate bench top. Just a bit of sheet is plenty. A thick bit of stranded copper cable is worth keeping around for more creative and flexible earth setups on assemblies too.

For material, as above, go to a local fabricator, take your daughter with you and explain what you're doing. There's a fair chance they'll chuck the offcuts back in the guillotine and chop them up into coupons for you free gratis.

 

[Popcorn]

26 and 17 Torches use Series 3 consumables, you can get a adapter 9stubby kit) to use the smaller series 2 consumables of the 9 and 20 torches in the larger torches you have.
Jody at welding tips and tricks does them

TIG Welding Accessories - CK Stubby Gas Lens Kit + DVD | Weldmonger

Reduce the size of your TIG Torch with a CK Stubby Gas Lens Kit. Included with this purchase is an instructional DVD to help get you started! Buy now!

weldmongerstore.com

 

[addjunkie]

Tig Torch Parts | Welding Supplies | Rapid Welding

Rapid have the most extensive range of TIG torch parts available to view and shop online. Find your torch and easily shop your required parts.

www.rapidwelding.com

I prefer CK parts than universal bits

 

[gaz1]

you can find scrap thrown out like steel beds or even radiators

whilst radiators are thickish there only 1.5mm thick and the bed frames are 1mm

for thicker materials to practice upon buy materials from places like ebay or from proper supliers

for 3mm thick get a gas bottle there 3mm thick sheet but you can play with them once you degas them info is on the net on how to do so

for practice while building try a rocket stove read the thread

you can practice welds on the 3mm and grind off later but if you make 4 sides you can make a rocket stove

Thread 'Rocket Stove'

Aug 1, 2017

I made my first rocket stove today. Dead easy to make and a great project for welders of all experience. I'll give it a test run later and post more pics.

• EAZEE
• Replies: 80
• forum: Woodburners & Stoves

• 

a heater needs a combination of materials though but for practice it uses a mixture of materials

3mm, 5mm, 5-10mm for the top

 

[Craig-S]

Certainly a bit to digest, so from my understanding, branding is irrelevant in terms of compatibility? CK kit for example will work fine on the R-Tech CK knockoff torch etc, as they are both type? 17 torches. no intention of changing that for a good long while.

I have been playing today as my daughter was at college, but theres no filler, just 3mm coupons (amazon) i soaked in vinegar to get rid of scale, a bit of flap and wipe down then run some beads without adding anything. im not sure about the easy settings but i found anything over 90a was blowing through, now that could be me being slow and trying to keep the arc length consistent.

We dont really find anything scrap wise thrown out here, which is a bit of a shame so it would all have to be purchased. ill get looking for local fabricators and asking if they sell cutoffs, apart from that me are a bit short on industry and i have no clue what im looking for.

definitely the first port of call is finding some 10mm plate, for a surface as currently using a granite cutting board to save the bench, then a second mask so my daughter and i can be the garage at the same time

we are definitely trying to crawl before walking so the jet stove may be a way off yet.

 

[Misterg]

definitely the first port of call is finding some 10mm plate, for a surface as currently using a granite cutting board to save the bench

Be very careful with that, as granite can spall and spit out nasty, sharp flakes when it is locally heated. A cheap metal baking tray would be better than nothing.

 

[Craig-S]

Be very careful with that, as granite can spall and spit out nasty, sharp flakes when it is locally heated. A cheap metal baking tray would be better than nothing.

it has indeed chipped off under the practice piece, hopefully i can get something tomorrow.

 

[Shedendman]

local fabricators is the way to go,tell em your story etc and they'll end up throwing you skip loads of stuff,just chuck a few shillings in the tea fund

 

[Popcorn]

As I mentioned earlier, the 17, 18 and 26 Torches all use Series 3 consumables (ie. the same size)
The 9 and 20 use the Series 2 consumables again the same size BUT smaller than the series 3/ So without the adapter you can't use the smaller consumables in the larger series 3 torches.
Have a read here:

CK Worldwide Basic Consumables Guide

Curious about all the different components on a TIG torch? Need help selecting the correct consumables for your TIG torch? This post will help!

bakersgas.com

 

[BrokenBiker]

You can get a 500x500x10mm plate from FH brindle for about £35 plus vat or £26 plus vat if you are local to a depot to collect. I use one for a welding surface

 

[Craig-S]

You can get a 500x500x10mm plate from FH brindle for about £35 plus vat or £26 plus vat if you are local to a depot to collect. I use one for a welding surface

you wouldnt have a link would you? that seems ideal, but i cant find anything that small on their website.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Seems pricey has gone up by about £4 quid since I last bought one

Base

Base Plate - 500 x 500 x 10mm Square Edge - No Holes s275. Buy online or call to order.

www.fhbrundle.co.uk

£29 plus vat, plus £10 carriage if you need it

 

[addjunkie]

you wouldnt have a link would you? that seems ideal, but i cant find anything that small on their website.

Have a look on ebay..

 

[Craig-S]

Seems pricey has gone up by about £4 quid since I last bought one

Base

Base Plate - 500 x 500 x 10mm Square Edge - No Holes s275. Buy online or call to order.

www.fhbrundle.co.uk

£29 plus vat, plus £10 carriage if you need it

cheers for that, youd think they would be trying to flog more seeing as whats going on with global markets. ill get one ordered.

I did look at ebay, seems either similar price or way more expensive for similar.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers for that, youd think they would be trying to flog more seeing as whats going on with global markets. ill get one ordered.

I did look at ebay, seems either similar price or way more expensive for similar.

Brundles are a good indicator of what the market is doing...just for fun, have a look on there for a 7.5m length of something like 50x50x3 box section (that's their standard length) then look at the same stuff on a site like metals4u or metal supermarket...brundles always come up cheapest

 

[Craig-S]

Brundles are a good indicator of what the market is doing...just for fun, have a look on there for a 7.5m length of something like 50x50x3 box section (that's their standard length) then look at the same stuff on a site like metals4u or metal supermarket...brundles always come up cheapest

well i have the plate sorted now so cheers for that, now its just practice material which i cant do much about until next week so worst case a cheeky look at wickes tomorrow.

then another mask is in order but thats gonna need to wait a bit as ive spent enough this week

I just took a looked at there box section, god i wish there was a depot near me as thats much cheaper than i was expecting.

 

[gaz1]

have a look at the sheet steel as well 3mm and 5mm

if your getting a delivery you might as well consider things

sheet is cheaper than bits and bats ive priced enough often and i bought at the same place for the same price as one sheet but i got 3mm 5mm 6mm and 8mm sheets all for the same price only issue was collection but did that anyway

 

[Craig-S]

have a look at the sheet steel as well 3mm and 5mm

if your getting a delivery you might as well consider things

sheet is cheaper than bits and bats ive priced enough often and i bought at the same place for the same price as one sheet but i got 3mm 5mm 6mm and 8mm sheets all for the same price only issue was collection but did that anyway

that ship has sailed as i have already ordered the plate, but it seems shipping is free over 150, so at some point ill put in an order with some box, angle and sheet. might learn to weld first though I also dont want to take over the toys from my daughter who this is actually all for as she is studying engineering and has been told it would give her an advantage if she knew tig