Just about to take the plunge in TIG - kit list - did I miss anything?

[bozla]

Well finally I have a workshop ready and have the fund to get the kit I want. I'm wondering if someone could just check over my list of kit before I place any orders?

School - check, complete but was 2 years ago now.
R-tech DC 160 Welder
Gas
Mask (I have one from school already)
Gloves (I have)
Rods (Mild steel)
Vice
Leather apron
Magnets for holding pieces
Tungsten grinding disc
Gas flow meter
Steel!

Anything else you can think of? -Cheers

 

[Freddy0309]

I'd add some stainless rods, a small drill vice for holding things in the bench, wire brushes and acetone/cleaner

 

[addjunkie]

Fire extinguisher.......hopefully a complete waste of money and never used, but you never know.

Angle grinder, cutting discs, and eye protection.

 

[eSCHEn]

Assume the machine is new but if not then have you got consumables for the torch (spare tungstens and ceramics)?

Also just to double check - gas is pure Argon and not any of the mixes.

Welcome to the excitement of TIG!

If you need any pointers then this is a great place to ask. If you want some one to one tuition then post your location and someone will be able to assist

 

[monkeh]

Several Clamps and a bench to weld on.

 

[God mode restorations]

A steady flow of tea and biscuits. Half ounce of golden Virginia.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Hi and welcome, that list looks ok but just watch the magnets, they can have very strange effects on the arc and weld pool. Ok for aligning stuff but keep well away from the direct weld area.

 

[Wallace]

More gas. You will eat through gas practicing, Argon is available on the BOC Volkzone deal if you can set up an account.

 

[Richard.]

Unit, Argon, mask, gloves, filler, metal, bench, means of tungsten grinding, lots of tungstens, collets ceramics, and a great bit metal skip cos you'll fill it in no time.
Defo need a grinder. Mil scale and rust makes some nasty tig welding.

 

[bozla]

Ho all. Many thanks for the replies - good shout for an extinguisher. i have some fire blankets - would they do do you think?

Good shout for stainless rods as well. This is what I will order:
http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-welder-240v-dc-160amp/
Do you think it is enough ceramics/rods to get started?

 

[Richard.]

You will probably find you'll receive 3 tungstens 2 of which will be any use. I'd say buy a pack of 10 X 1.6 as they will probably be the most useful size and when learning you will likely be grinding them a lot.

 

[addjunkie]

Ho all. Many thanks for the replies - good shout for an extinguisher. i have some fire blankets - would they do do you think?

Fire blankets have their uses, great for oil pan fires, but not much good for anything else.

My choice for the workshop is a couple of co2 quick flame knock down, no mess. But also have a couple of afffs too for back up.

But I didnt buy them, they were shall we say donated. Except for the two I have in the house that I paid for.

 

[zx9]

More gas. You will eat through gas practicing, Argon is available on the BOC Volkzone deal if you can set up an account.

Yes the first couple of 10L rent free bottles of Argon disappeared very quickly when I started learning to TIG weld, lots of start / stop on practice beads uses a lot of pre / post flow gas. So expect and budget for frequent trips to the gas supplier.