First ever attempt at tiggin pipe, tips?

[Miggy89]

ok so iv just had a go at tiggin some scrap pipe together its around 2mm steel from an old trampoline i had a 1mm gap between them, i used 1.6 tungsten & filler set at 65amp gas flow 8lpm welder is rtech dc160 i converted an old tattoo pedal to be a foot switch. What do you think good, bad, average

 

[sixtwoeight]

Iam only learning and know sweet fa, so cant really comment, but I always thought the fit up when TIG welding is very important so im not sure if the 1mm gap is necessary?

 

[Miggy89]

yes im learning aswell so made the gap deliberatly to see if i could join them without burning the edges back, it would prob of been easier to do a butt style joint but i thought (could be wrong) id put the gap to see firstly if i could do it & secondly its a bit of practice with gaps if that makes sense

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Open root isn't necessary , a slight prep is much better for the job. It looks like you're doing a root and cap too, I wouldn't bother, a single run will suffice fine on that thickness

 

[Miggy89]

Open root isn't necessary , a slight prep is much better for the job. It looks like you're doing a root and cap too, I wouldn't bother, a single run will suffice fine on that thickness

thanks for that, i guess you mean slight v prep?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

thanks for that, i guess you mean slight v prep?

Yes

 

[Richard.]

Don't weld past the point at which gravity takes over.
Stop at 12 o'clock.

 

[Miggy89]

Don't weld past the point at which gravity takes over.
Stop at 12 o'clock.

great thanks Richard im guessing that the pool will tend to flow down with gravity making it more harder to control & stay consistant in speed?

 

[Richard.]

great thanks Richard im guessing that the pool will tend to flow down with gravity making it more harder to control & stay consistant in speed?

It tends to sink giving you no cap hieght .
Tig doesn't work down hill.
Going round a tube/pipe requires you to be consistently changing your hand position in order to keep your angle of attack the Same.

 

[Miggy89]

thanks for that im still getting my head around tig its a differant game to the mig im used to

 

[Richard.]

Very different game yes and your setting your sights pretty high learning on pipe.
Have you nailed the basics in more forgiving positions?

 

[Miggy89]

i have done some flat beads & butts then moved to vertical & horizontal found out the hard way about fit up in those positions but a few practices then got the hang of it next thing will be fillets & out side corners.

p.s on did the horizal & vertical as i had a few things to repair so thought id try it rather than get the mig out