Could do with some help

[BrokenBiker]

I asked a few people about getting a tug and they all said I would have no hope of using it if I can’t Mig and stick weld. As I said I’m only a beginner in welding but I will get there. Isn’t that welding for aluminium or can it be used for everything?

Tig welding is nothing at all like the other processes...each process has its merit and I can now do all 3 with varying rates of success, but none of them are really the same as the others apart from all 3 need consistency.

For instance, stick welding relies on you being able to keep a consistent rod angle and arc length whilst travelling along the joint, and the rod is always getting shorter so your arc length is always trying to get longer, you have to feed the rod in to match how quickly it's burning away.

Mig requires a consistent arc length and travel angle, while moving at the right speed for how you have it set (once it's set well enough to get a good weld). I'm more hot and heavy, I'll crank the voltage and wire speed a bit higher than normal but I'll get moving with it, some like the wire a bit lower so they can hang about and really burn the weld in. Both have their place though.

Tig is completely different again. You are keeping a consistent arc length and torch angle as before, but now you are also using a foot pedal to constantly micro adjust your amps, and you are usually adding filler manually with your other hand. And yes, tig can be used for everything. You need an AC capable machine for aluminium, most everything else is welded on DC, so steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, inconel etc. Apart from ally needing AC, everything else is the same with regards to consumables so once you've got the set up, that's it pretty much

I'm nowhere near good enough at tig to advise on it, but I'm getting there slowly, but I certainly wouldn't say you need to be able to mig weld first.

 

[CharBennett]

Tig welding is nothing at all like the other processes...each process has its merit and I can now do all 3 with varying rates of success, but none of them are really the same as the others apart from all 3 need consistency.

For instance, stick welding relies on you being able to keep a consistent rod angle and arc length whilst travelling along the joint, and the rod is always getting shorter so your arc length is always trying to get longer, you have to feed the rod in to match how quickly it's burning away.

Mig requires a consistent arc length and travel angle, while moving at the right speed for how you have it set (once it's set well enough to get a good weld). I'm more hot and heavy, I'll crank the voltage and wire speed a bit higher than normal but I'll get moving with it, some like the wire a bit lower so they can hang about and really burn the weld in. Both have their place though.

Tig is completely different again. You are keeping a consistent arc length and torch angle as before, but now you are also using a foot pedal to constantly micro adjust your amps, and you are usually adding filler manually with your other hand. And yes, tig can be used for everything. You need an AC capable machine for aluminium, most everything else is welded on DC, so steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, inconel etc. Apart from ally needing AC, everything else is the same with regards to consumables so once you've got the set up, that's it pretty much

I'm nowhere near good enough at tig to advise on it, but I'm getting there slowly, but I certainly wouldn't say you need to be able to mig weld first.

It sounds really complicated. If I can master a Mig then I’m doing ok. You must be some sort of expert. I didn’t know tig used a pedal as well! Sounds like a nightmare.

 

[BrokenBiker]

It sounds really complicated. If I can master a Mig then I’m doing ok. You must be some sort of expert. I didn’t know tig used a pedal as well! Sounds like a nightmare.

I'm by no means an expert, in any process. I learnt through a necessity of not being able to afford to pay garage's to get my cars through mot...then it became a hobby...then I bought a land rover and it became a necessity again I mostly only make stuff for myself or my father these days

Tig doesn't necessarily need a foot pedal, but as I'm finding now, it makes aluminium welding a lot easier. Not so much of an issue on steel. The pedal is a bit tricky at first but like anything, practice makes it easier.

 

[addjunkie]

It sounds really complicated. If I can master a Mig then I’m doing ok. You must be some sort of expert. I didn’t know tig used a pedal as well! Sounds like a nightmare.

If you can put silicone around a bath you should be able to mig weld. Like anything once you know where to start, a bit of coaching, the rest is practice. Then you try-it under a car and think your starting from scratch again.

Tig with a pedal is a bit like picking your nose, scratching your nuts and tap dancing at the same time. But like most things if there is a desire it can be learnt.

Its all just hand to eye coordination, so it really does help if you have a half decent mask, get your head in close wearing your glasses if required and can actually see what is happening.

I really struggled to learn tig 30 years after having ago as an apprentice, then I put my reading glasses on what a revelation being able to actually see what was happening.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Have you had any luck with the mig?

 

[CharBennett]

My regulator broke and I lost a full bottle of gas. But I have one on the way and hop to give it a go soon. A bloke that works at a welding supply company in keynsham thinks my welder should be in a museum so that’s a bit of a downer. But I’m gunna give it a go over weekend if regulator turns up.

 

[Cobbler]

Just because it’s old & someone thinks it should be in a museum doesn’t stop it working, (a lot of us on here are old & should be in a museum) if it works it’s good to use, a new torch liner & new tip & it will be as good as new. I’m told, but never tried it, that curtain wire is the same size as the liner & does a great job

 

[ajlelectronics]

My regulator broke and I lost a full bottle of gas. But I have one on the way and hope to give it a go soon. A bloke that works at a welding supply company in Keynsham thinks my welder should be in a museum so that’s a bit of a downer. But I’m going to give it a go over the weekend if the regulator turns up.

It is very likely that I have a new regulator on the workshop shelf, if you are stuck for one.

 

[CharBennett]

Thanks mate, But I bought one now and really hoping it comes tomorrow because of bank holiday. But as I said thank you very much for your offer.

 

[CharBennett]

Just because it’s old & someone thinks it should be in a museum doesn’t stop it working, (a lot of us on here are old & should be in a museum) if it works it’s good to use, a new torch liner & new tip & it will be as good as new. I’m told, but never tried it, that curtain wire is the same size as the liner & does a great job

Thanks for your advice mate. I’m hoping I don’t need to change anything yet. As the welders only had about an hours use from new. That said I wouldn’t know how to change a liner yet I’m a full on newbie.

 

[CharBennett]

Have you had any luck with the mig?

Have you had any luck with the mig?

Oh and when I say broke I mean about 2 in the morning all you could hear for about 5 seconds is a whooshing noise from me kitchen and for some reason me whole bottle emptied its self. So I’m guessing it’s the regulator even though it was shut off.

 

[eddie49]

If the gas cylinders that are being discussed are the disposable ones, and the "regulator" is a basic tap attached on the top, then it doesn't have to be broken by much to whoosh all the gas out in a few seconds .....

 

[AVI_8]

As an inexperienced welder, though I’ve had some success mainly from advice on this forum, just get some pieces of metal not too thin and practice for ages, using different settings until you get it right, it’s not rocket science it’s just practice, it’ll take a while to get to know what’s good using different settings and techniques until you can see what’s working.

But post pictures so that the guys here who know how to weld can give you some pointers as to where you can improve and to adjust your settings and technique in order to get a better outcome.

Get a decent gas bottle, not a tiny disposable, search this forum regarding gas it’ll give you an idea as to what is advisable.

 

[Cobbler]

Thanks for your advice mate. I’m hoping I don’t need to change anything yet. As the welders only had about an hours use from new. That said I wouldn’t know how to change a liner yet I’m a full on newbie.

If you are using existing old wire, don’t use the rusty outer coils. Pull off the wire until clean as the rust & dirt will clog the liner making the feed temperamental. A liner change is easy if needed, there are posts on here about it, all the small welders are basically similar. Happy welding

 

[BrokenBiker]

Oh and when I say broke I mean about 2 in the morning all you could hear for about 5 seconds is a whooshing noise from me kitchen and for some reason me whole bottle emptied its self. So I’m guessing it’s the regulator even though it was shut off.

Those disposable bottle regs are basically just a valve...either on or off. If any part of them fails, the bottle will empty.

This is why I always shut off my bottle and flow gauge on my argon as even if the valve on the bottle fails, the flow gauge on the reg will still hold back the pressure.

 

[CharBennett]

Those disposable bottle regs are basically just a valve...either on or off. If any part of them fails, the bottle will empty.

This is why I always shut off my bottle and flow gauge on my argon as even if the valve on the bottle fails, the flow gauge on the reg will still hold back the pressure.

Have you had any luck with the mig?

Got my Mig set up today for some test welds. It didn’t go well, first my mask fell apart so I patched it up and had a go. At first all was going ok ish then my torch started leaking gas without trigger being pressed and then after a while I had to hold torch about an inch away or it wouldn’t strike an ark which was interesting. Might have another go tomorrow.

 

[Erie Fred]

I had to hold torch about an inch away or it wouldn’t strike an ark which was interesting.

That sounds like too high/fast of wire speed.

 

[CharBennett]

That sounds like too high/fast of wire speed.

I’m still learning at the moment, but I didn’t touch the wire speed and it was fine at first and then wouldn’t arc. I will try turning it down a bit and try again. Thanks for your advice it’s appreciated.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I’m still learning at the moment, but I didn’t touch the wire speed and it was fine at first and then wouldn’t arc. I will try turning it down a bit and try again. Thanks for your advice it’s appreciated.

make sure the contact tip is tight, i had it on a welder a few years back that when it got some heat into it, the tip would come loose and then wouldnt make a good contact until the wire was touching the work in a certain way and making the tip move enough to get a contact, then it was fine for that weld.

it could be the wire speed is too high for the voltage you have set, but evne then id expcet it to arc, but try and push the torch away with the wire as its feeding faster than it could melt.

any pics of your welds so we can see whats going on? advice on here is always a lot better if we can get an idea of what the welds look like as there are quite a few tell tales that let us know if your too hot/cold, too fast, wrong arc legnth or torch angle etc, it was a massive help when i was learning

 

[CharBennett]

Will give the torch a once over tomorrow if I get time to play again. I will also try and post a couple of pictures when I get back to me garage. Thanks for your help it’s appreciated