Another TIG Noobie

[Ruffian]

can you recommend a Devon argon supplier, I'm guessing as an infrequent user rent free would be best.

Sgs gases.

I used to get mine through the motorfactors,
Partservice and mpd. (For 10-20l)
But now use denleys in honiton as they stock the 30+50l rent free sgs bottles.

 

[Ruffian]

really? you think that's a good deal? little more than I wanted to shell out but it could be worth it in the long run, even if I don't get on with it it seems to be a fairly respectable name if I sell it on.

I have only ever seen them about £1000.
For a brand new uk supported (but chinese made machine) ac dc for less than £800 with 200amps. It's a bargain.

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

I have only ever seen them about £1000.
For a brand new uk supported (but chinese made machine) ac dc for less than £800 with 200amps. It's a bargain.

Well, today is my birthday so it might be a good day to abuse the credit card.

 

[addjunkie]

Well, today is my birthday so it might be a good day to abuse the credit card.

Go for the bigger argon bottle, 10 ltr wont last very long at all

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Go for the bigger argon bottle, 10 ltr wont last very long at all

20 litre? I was thinking 20l as that's the same kinda weight as my dive cylinders, so manageable.

 

[Ruffian]

20 litre? I was thinking 20l as that's the same kinda weight as my dive cylinders, so manageable.

20l is a manageable size,
30l is larger but can be mobile,
50l is workshop only.

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Well, I've ordered it. Not totally sure I should have. Better start looking for a helmet/gloves and gas. I wish internet shopping wasn't so easy to do.

 

[Ruffian]

Well, I've ordered it. Not totally sure I should have. Better start looking for a helmet/gloves and gas. I wish internet shopping wasn't so easy to do.

Well done!

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Well done!

Just hope I can get to grips with it and make it worthwhile. any recommendations for a budget helmet?

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

That's mainly what I use my tig for, fixing stainless steel balconies / handrails on boats.

Good luck, it's damn tricky producing pretty welds, welding round bars for cleats and handrails.

You'll then need special pickling products to clean up the rainbow effects from heat on the weld.

I've recently bought a couple of kilos of professional stainless 316L (A4) arc rods.

They are 1.5 and 2mm, and really, really good.

They work really well, and I don't even think tig if I'm working outside.

If was to be making a gunwale roller or any kind of gunwale whatever that sits over in a U shape, would my best bet to be to stick tack it on site and then tig at home or just stick all the way? obviously wouldn't want to weld it all in-situ due to heat on wood or grp. just thinking about odd angles and gunwale not being 90°

 

[Ruffian]

Just hope I can get to grips with it and make it worthwhile. any recommendations for a budget helmet?

Parweld true view gets good reviews for the price.
Inverter fusion ones are sensible price also.

But for clarity I love optrel or speedglas but will blow your budget.

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Parweld true view gets good reviews for the price.
Inverter fusion ones are sensible price also.

But for clarity I love optrel or speedglas but will blow your budget.

One of these? https://ebay.us/zWwrco

 

[Barking Mat]

If was to be making a gunwale roller or any kind of gunwale whatever that sits over in a U shape, would my best bet to be to stick tack it on site and then tig at home or just stick all the way? obviously wouldn't want to weld it all in-situ due to heat on wood or grp. just thinking about odd angles and gunwale not being 90°

Evening, had to Google gunwale, as I didn't know that expression.

not sure really what you mean, the lip round the raised hull section around a deck?

welding stainless, even for short periods of time gets very hot. So in situ is not really an option, maybe a few small tacks you might get away with, also arc is splattery, so you'd want to protect any surrounding fiberglass from projections.

you don't mean cleat do you?

 

[minimutly]

"Oh-ahr matey, she be loaded to the gunn'ls"
Are you seriously saying a boaty Bristolian has never heard this?
Well shiver me timbers

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Evening, had to Google gunwale, as I didn't know that expression.

not sure really what you mean, the lip round the raised hull section around a deck?

welding stainless, even for short periods of time gets very hot. So in situ is not really an option, maybe a few small tacks you might get away with, also arc is splattery, so you'd want to protect any surrounding fiberglass from projections.

you don't mean cleat do you?

no, not a cleat, gunwale roller is used to protect the gunwale when pulling pots or chain. usually fixed to or part of a U shaped channel that sits over the gunwale and is then bolted through, but as you can imagine the gunwale isn't straight or square.

 

[EM1L4]

20l is a manageable size,
30l is larger but can be mobile,
50l is workshop only.

View attachment 279663

£2 difference between 30l and 50l 15% mix!(excl deposit) Might as well use a 20m gas hose to make the 50l portable

 

[Barking Mat]

"Oh-ahr matey, she be loaded to the gunn'ls"
Are you seriously saying a boaty Bristolian has never heard this?
Well shiver me timbers

Oh, that's how it's spelt / pronounced.

Never worked or had any interest in boats when I was in the U.K., All my boat vocab is 90% French.

What length ? Is the gunwale straight?

 

[AnthonyExmouth]

Oh, that's how it's spelt / pronounced.

Never worked or had any interest in boats when I was in the U.K., All my boat vocab is 90% French.

What length ? Is the gunwale straight?

gunwales are rarely straight. not talking about any particular boat, just trying to get a feel for what kinda process I'll be going through. Pervious welding on boats has been on steel boats so just been dirty stick welding onto any part of the boat that needed it. only got a few wood and grp boats now

 

[Ruffian]

£2 difference between 30l and 50l 15% mix!(excl deposit) Might as well use a 20m gas hose to make the 50l portable

I agree but very few places stock a 50l,
And lugging a 30l around is bad enough. (Hence why I have 2x 20l bottles but just gone to a 30l)
I am probably going to trade the 20's in for a 50l for home use. But keep the 30 to be mobile ish.

Remember pure argon for tig also.

 

[Barking Mat]

gunwales are rarely straight. not talking about any particular boat, just trying to get a feel for what kinda process I'll be going through. Pervious welding on boats has been on steel boats so just been dirty stick welding onto any part of the boat that needed it. only got a few wood and grp boats now

I'd be tempted to cut the channel as accurately as you can, place on gunwale, small minimal holding tacks with arc, remove, place on quay/or boat with big bit of something i.e. Ply to protect fiberglass from spatter. Tack it to hold it properly, then arc or take home and tig.

What are the chains made of? Mild steel will infect stainless, and it will start to rust. Infect is not the right word obviously.