Lessons

[Richard.]

Thanks for that Mr. Brad! I will indeed start a new thread Everything will ship from Fronius USA on or about the 14th when a new batch of torches arrive from Austria. And, thank you in advance for the offer of 'pointers!'

I have spent a lot of time on youtube and in these forums (including the tutorial content - exceptional by the way). I am really looking forward to learning this skill, even if I can never truly claim to have skill. Marginal competency and something to keep me engaged will be nirvana enough.

Interesting comment on starting with the torch alone. It is the up down variant, but the 4T settings are intimidating, 2T looks straight forward. I can't tell how to set-up the pedal anyway. lol

Cheers!

Start up on 2T mike. It’s all I ever use. On the fronius torch you push the button forward and hold it for welding.
Don’t stress about the learning curve. It would be boring if it was easy. You will easily get there if you are prepared to keep practicing. I’m not saying that to just be nice I’m been honest.

 

[Tom_ERST_S2]

Impressive! How much pre-existing experience did you have Tom?


So Richard, Sir, a quick question for you. No intent to hijack this thread. We can follow-up separately.

Do you think you could provide TIG training or a little set-up guidance to a 'never-touched-a-welder-before-guy' remotely, say via WebEx or audio only (What's App perhaps)? Paypal? Or is that simply ridiculous? LOL.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike, I'd been using a mig machine for a few years before buying Tig. It's nothing like the same though it does give you an understanding of how the puddle behaves. When I went to see Richard I'd only used my machine for about two or three hours. I had the issue where I was trying to travel too fast but I was setting my amps at recommended levels i.e 30 amps per mm ( that's 30 amps per .040" for you over the pond). Richard corrected that very quickly and we ended up turning the amps up quite a way. With out the few hours I spent over at Richards I'd still be muddling along wondering why things weren't working and probably getting the raving ache about it all.

On the tuition front, have you seen Justin Merrill over in Vegas? He's The.Fabricator on instagram and runs courses based around what you want to know/need to know depending on experience/knowledge level. Plus he knows Fronius inside out and also offers the option to use your machine so you get to know it's features and capabilities.

As others here have said mate, good luck and just keep running through material. Keeping your hand in is key, that and making notes helps massively I find although I end up getting carried away and forget to write down my settings so end up having to reset and try it all again.

cheeRS

Tom

 

[Mr-Mike]

@ Tom - Good stuff there. Sounds like you are naturally technical and mechanically competent. I am not undermining the value of having an expert sort you out and point in the right direction. I know that makes a hell of difference in progress and confidence. I will look up the gent you mentioned. Even by plane LV is far away, but knowing my welder scores some big pluses for me. I wish the best Tom and thanks for chiming in!

@ Richard & Brad - I believe many here feel this way; when you guys contribute or comment in threads, I pay close attention to what you both say. Actually I just reminded myself of an old commercial that ran on the tele a few decades ago (showing my age) -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=1tG-g-TfBww

Anyway, thanks for the tip! 2T - I will start with that. You know the manual dedicates a half dozen plus pages to the various modes and you guys summed it up CLEARLY in a couple of sentences.

Thank you fellas!

 

[Tom_ERST_S2]

@ Tom - Good stuff there. Sounds like you are naturally technical and mechanically competent. I am not undermining the value of having an expert sort you out and point in the right direction. I know that makes a hell of difference in progress and confidence. I will look up the gent you mentioned. Even by plane LV is far away, but knowing my welder scores some big pluses for me. I wish the best Tom and thanks for chiming in!

@ Richard & Brad - I believe many here feel this way; when you guys contribute or comment in threads, I pay close attention to what you both say. Actually I just reminded myself of an old commercial that ran on the tele a few decades ago (showing my age) -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=1tG-g-TfBww

Anyway, thanks for the tip! 2T - I will start with that. You know the manual dedicates a half dozen plus pages to the various modes and you guys summed it up CLEARLY in a couple of sentences.

Thank you fellas!

I've been an aircraft engineer for the last 17 years in the Royal Air Force so had very good training there. All told I've got about 20 years training/experience in mechanical, electrical and explosive engineering. I was also lucky enough that my father was a time served precision machinist and my grandfather was an incredibly skilled and qualified civil engineer so had plenty of mentoring as I was growing up. Still have lots to learn so here's to the next 20 odd years.

cheeRS

Tom

 

[Richard.]

That Justin geezer talks a load of absolute ******** in my opinion. If he is such a good welder/such a good fabricator why does he spend more time making YouTube videos and licking manufacturers butts? Can’t stand the guy.

There is no replacement for seat time.

Get your tig, get familiar with it, then go to your local college or welding school. Far cheaper than one of them classes with “internet famous” welders.

I know good welders, the welders that get flown around the world to oversee a project and weld some 6” thick Chromoly pipe few hundred meters under the sea.
Guess what, they don’t parade around on YouTube and offer welding classes!

Hey!!!!!
Don’t you be mean to poor little charis. If it wasn’t for her I’d still be tacking one end

 

[HughF]

The classes run by Roy Crumrine and Jonathan Lewis up at Saunders Machine Works in Ohio might be worth a visit for Mike in Viginia...

 

[Mr-Mike]

The classes run by Roy Crumrine and Jonathan Lewis up at Saunders Machine Works in Ohio might be worth a visit for Mike in Viginia...

I will hang on to that piece of information. One never knows. I may find myself in that neck of the woods. Thanks Hugh!

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Good morning @Mr Mike. You can watch endless amounts of Utube vids and they can be helpful, however there is nothing like 'one on one' tuition with someone that actually knows what they are doing. The problem that you have is first getting to someone that 'actually ' knows what they are doing and not just claiming so and secondly getting that person to watch you whilst you are welding to improve of correct your techinque. Couple of years ago I did a 'tig ' ticket, now can't remember what it was called (pipe, all positions and pressure), I had been welding with my Tig for over 15 years and thought I could do pretty well. However we had to do steel pipe (I had been doing S/S which is completely different to steel) and after 6 lessens I was going to quit, it was going so bad. One of the teachers noticed that I was not happy and it was not working for me and decided to to spend more time one on one and what a difference. Now this guy could weld and not just talk about it. I found out later that he was also a welding inspector. He watched me weld, stopped me and then could demonstrate what to change. I have a lot of time for this teacher, because talking and doing / showing can be worlds apart. Unfortunately you may find out too late that the instructor you have chosen is not up to scratch. After my Tig ticket I felt confident to get the MIG Mag equivalent, new teacher, wonderfull guy, very polite, very encouraging, but I failed the practical on 'lack of side wall fusion on the cap on rotated pipe) all else went OK. In the 18 weeks the course went I did the rotated pipe twice with the setting that I was given (root and cap) not once was told that the sample was to be bent for side wall fusion check, was told that that weld was perfect and don't change a thing.
Take a punt go invest in yourself get the tuition that you require (it shortens up the learning time and reduces bad habbits) the machinery that you have is top notch so do it justice. A great welder will produce great results with almost any machine, however a great machine (Fronius I have two, EWM, Lorch, Kemppi) will only produce what the guy holding the torch is capable of

 

[HughF]

Always fancied Virginia, if I'm ever that way for vacation this year I'll give you a shout. I often go to the US. I'm don't usually do tuition but I'm pretty good at shouting in people's ear 'travel speed' 'arc length' etc

 

[Mr-Mike]

@ Henry - appreciate you taking the time, interesting read!

@ Hugh - Definitely give me a call. I am about 25km from Washington DC and less than 10 minutes from IAD (dulles international airport). It would be a pleasure to show you around.