Consumables for starting

[MikeBs]

Hi, I have been MIGing and Arcing for a while, but always fancied a go at TIGing.
There is a SH RTech DC machine at a reasonable cost close to me. It is just a TIG machine with an earth lead and torch.
I can price up gas and regulator, but having never done this before not sure about what consumables it would be worth getting and what that would they cost.
I would be practising on thin gauge mild and stainless steel. I can’t see me going over more than 2-3mm at any point in the future.
A list of things and any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[tigdlo]

What torch size? I would get genuine CK small series 2.4mm gas lens or small series adapter gas lens if you have a 17 or 26 size torch, a wedge collet and size 6, 7 and 8 cups. I've been happy with 2% Lanthanated tungstens but have little to compare them to, there is also CK layzr, I'm going to try those next.

I have a furick jazzy 10 cup which gave good gas coverage for a 0.9mm 316 sheet butt weld, not cheap but neither is stainless. You can buy the furrick gas diffusers seperately, I can't see why they shouln't fit in a standard number 10 cup but I havent tried it myself, would work out about half the price.

When I started all I had was 1.6mm filler for mild steel, I used that for 0.8mm to 5mm but small filler is nice to have for 1.5mm and below, I have 1.2mm now but will be adding 1mm too as I use TIG for car panels. I only use 2.4mm when I need a larger fillet or filling a full penetration butt weld with edge prep on 5mm+.

I've got all my bits from rapid welding, they are good but 2.4mm tungstens are about £6 each, about twice the price they were 4 years ago, I might have to shop around next time.

 

[voipio]

The main consumable expense likely for TIG will be argon gas. The small disposable argon bottles will only last a few minutes, so going to a larger cylinder is the way to go, if you plan on doing more than a few minutes of TIG. There have been several discussions on here regarding the best prices, but again the best for you will depend on how much TIG welding is going to be done. e.g. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...ntly-on-boc-rented.145885/page-3#post-2661217 Then some steel and stainless steel welding rods (and aluminium rods if you fancy alloy welding), oh and TIG brazing rods, maybe ;-) Tungsten electrodes and a sharpening stone for them are both consumables to an extent.

 

[MikeBs]

The main consumable expense likely for TIG will be argon gas. The small disposable argon bottles will only last a few minutes, so going to a larger cylinder is the way to go

I would expect about £150 for a bottle of Hobbyweld Argon of which £70 is the deposit.

What torch size? I would get genuine CK small series 2.4mm gas lens or small series adapter gas lens if you have a 17 or 26 size torch,

I will ask the seller. It’s an RTech 160 dc machine so I expect it’s the torch that it came with. EDIT confirmed its a WP17 torch
If I needed to get another torch set then that pushes the cost up by another, £80-£90.

It will only be a hobby TIG and unlikely to ever need any ally use so didn’t want to spend a fortune just to give it a try.
If I enjoy it and find it useful, I would look for something better, but at least at that time, I will have more of an idea of what level I want to invest in.

The other option is to get a cheap WP17 (about £30) with a few consumables, a SS filler rod and a small bottle of argon. This would give me the option to try “Lift TIG” with my RTech 181.
Bearing in mind I’ve never tried TIG before, how easy is this type to TIG and am I just going to hate it?