econotig settings?

[jiggajweld]

I just got my miller econotig welder up and running.
im completely new at the tig welding so please bear with my rediculous ?'s.

I was wondering what you guys would recommend for settings in these situations..

situation #1: 16g 409 stainless steel exhaust tubing. Using 75 argon/25 co2 mix.

situation #2: 2mm thick aluminum piping. I understand i need straight argon gas for aluminum, but could i get away with the mix gas and if so, what would the settings be ... as a recommendation.

I just need somewhere to start from. thanks in advance!

 

[snowcat]

No No No you can only use pureshield for tig process any other mix will cause a porius weld.

 

[Drains]

Further to what Snowcat says .... you're thinking of using MIG gas mixes. These are not the same as TIG!!! If you use anything other than pure argon, or for certain applications argon/ helium (there may be more, but certainly not with co2), you will at best contaminate the tungsten. (and you don't want to do that)

Si

 

[jiggajweld]

ok nice to know, so is it okay then to use pure argone for stainless??
i obviously thought i knew what was needed but im clueless now. Please let me know the basics!

 

[snowcat]

Ok all tig work will require argon ignore argon hellium mix as you will not need that for DIY work, So your trundle off to BOC and get yourself some pure argon, what else did you need to know?

 

[jiggajweld]

im just starting to understand and get more comfortable with using filler... most likely because last night i went and exchanged my tank for pure argon. It seems to have made a really big difference... thank for that advice guys!!!!!

Also what settings would you recommend for welding aluminum piping about 2mm thick???? this is what i believe i have to do as far as setting.....

use the ac ..... but which current range??...there are two

I completely understand that not ever welder is the same so you giving me a recommended setting will only be an opinion.... but i have NO idea where to start off for practice as far as gas flow.... speed .... amperage etc....
so if you can just let me know wheres a good place to start.... for 2mm thick aluminum piping... thatd be awsome! thanks again guys.

 

[malcolm]

Try the Miller TIG Calculator for a starting point for settings. I've found them a little high on amps, but they are practiced welders and can probably weld really fast

 

[snowcat]

im just starting to understand and get more comfortable with using filler... most likely because last night i went and exchanged my tank for pure argon. It seems to have made a really big difference... thank for that advice guys!!!!!

Also what settings would you recommend for welding aluminum piping about 2mm thick???? this is what i believe i have to do as far as setting.....

use the ac ..... but which current range??...there are two

I completely understand that not ever welder is the same so you giving me a recommended setting will only be an opinion.... but i have NO idea where to start off for practice as far as gas flow.... speed .... amperage etc....
so if you can just let me know wheres a good place to start.... for 2mm thick aluminum piping... thatd be awsome! thanks again guys.

Have you a footpedal me freind?

 

[jiggajweld]

yes i have me a footpedal.....still trying to get the hang of controlling it though!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so when you say the calculator is "alittle" high, exactly how much higher..... cuz im not trying to blow holes throught my aluminum lol

ooo.ooo.ooo..... i keep forgetting to ask...... what type of weld is it called when you are welding two pipes together ...say for an exhaust sytsem.?

 

[snowcat]

personaly in that case I wouldnt pre set any amps I dont, sometimes i set a max but mostly I dont bother, The problem with ally it increadably difficault to weld at a constant ampage you want a high start followed by less amps as the pool gets going, it will even change as you make more welds on the work as the piece gets hotter. Its best to think of it as gas welding and get knowing what the weld pool is doing rather than working to set constraints.

 

[snowcat]

single fillet T joint

 

[malcolm]

yes i have me a footpedal.....still trying to get the hang of controlling it though!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so when you say the calculator is "alittle" high, exactly how much higher..... cuz im not trying to blow holes throught my aluminum lol

ooo.ooo.ooo..... i keep forgetting to ask...... what type of weld is it called when you are welding two pipes together ...say for an exhaust sytsem.?

For the little high thing you might want to practice on equivalent thickness aluminium test pieces that don't matter so much. Everyone has their own favourite settings, and it'll take a little practice to find yours. Mine tend to be lower amps than Miller because I weld like an OAP.

I hear what you say with the foot pedal though. Madness isn't it - still not got the hang of mine and I'm still learning on mild steel. For me the way forward is to get the hang of enerything on mild steel before progressing to aluminium which adds an extra bit of trickyness.

For the type of join - if the two pipes are end to end it'll be a butt weld, unless one fits over the other in which case it'll be an overlap.