New tig user..

[an1mal_69]

Hey guys.. Been floating round here for some time; watching, learning & generally loitering about.

Finally got myself an r-tech 200DC machine (shop soiled apparently but I couldn't spot a scratch on it) and decided to try and get to grips with TIG welding. I learned 'basic' oxy/acetylene welding whilst studying motor vehicle repair at college 'some time' ago.

Anyways, finally got some gas sorted today and had half an hour with it..

Started at the bottom right, just getting a pool going, then tried a bit of filler, then flew into a fillet, front..

Back..

It was a rush job to have a 'quick' go hense not being cleaned up proper, but I'm pretty chuffed. I'm going to have to work on arc length I think..as per the tutorial, I think I was more concerned with not contaminating the tungsten (1.6 BTW), and general torch control & co-ordination

 

[langy]

You need clean clean clean clean metal

Did I mention it needs to be clean

 

[Shox Dr]

Good post there Steve (said in USA Sports type voice)

But I don't think you said it needed to be really really clean, now did you

 

[an1mal_69]

You think I should try some clean stuff then..??

 

[inchpincher]

Your weld pool looks whopper too, short arc will make things much neater and controllable. Don't wave the torch around too much, run some straight beads on flat plate, jumping into a fillet is a bit ott.

Don't sweat dipping the tungsten either, you need to learn to get that arc really tight and dipping it is an inevitability. I'd say put in a good few hours practising autogenous and butt welds and it will pay dividends when it comes to actually using the tig for that first job.

Good luck pal, you're on the right track.

 

[an1mal_69]

Your weld pool looks whopper too, short arc will make things much neater and controllable. Don't wave the torch around too much, run some straight beads on flat plate, jumping into a fillet is a bit ott.

Don't sweat dipping the tungsten either, you need to learn to get that arc really tight and dipping it is an inevitability. I'd say put in a good few hours practising autogenous and butt welds and it will pay dividends when it comes to actually using the tig for that first job.

Good luck pal, you're on the right track.

nice one!! Thanks for the pointers, I'll do just that

 

[an1mal_69]

ok.. I'm putting together a welding workstation type thing. It's a 6mm plate top sat on 30x50x3mm box, when welding the box to the underside of the top is it best to run a 1.6mm tungsten (set at around 120A presently) and linger on the plate to get the pool going or a 2.4 with higher amps and be cautious with the 3mm??

I've tacked (more like inch beads) using the 1.6 and its more than fine for what it's doing but I am going to burn the whole lot in for practise.

 

[an1mal_69]

Made me a workstation..

Tons of practice on the underside..

Forgot the gas..d'oh!!

Better..mixture of 1.6mm tungsten and rods & 2.4mm, 2.4 seemed the way to go, although just holding the box to plate, the smaller 1.6mm stuff would be adequate and look neater I guess.

Tricky getting into the corners..

and 1st worthwhile weld..my cheapy shop press was wonky, so I chopped off the 'punch' bit and put it back straight and stronger. The weld is a little wayward, but I'm chuffed so far..

Next job s some kind of bender for the cheapy, wonky press.

 

[Norm]

Looking very good so far a million times better than my first attempt at tig, workstation looks great was the top pre cut and is this something you've invented or are you working off a plan?,

 

[an1mal_69]

Cheers muchly..I'm really enjoying the tigness at the mo.

I designed/drew the top up on the computer and chopped it out on the plasma cutter. Works great with a bit of 30mm angle and a few coach bolts, it's nice to just earth the top too and not ave the clamp pulling your work and getting in the way

.

 

[Norm]

Nice one, I really must get some gas and some proper tungstens etc and get some seat time in on this, just seems to be more month than money lately and far too many other things requiring my attention,

 

[an1mal_69]

I know that feeling!! Couldn't believe the price of Argon initially too, I got a 50l bottle @ £90 'ouch'!!

Find more things that need welding.

 

[langy]

I know that feeling!! Couldn't believe the price of Argon initially too, I got a 50l bottle @ £90 'ouch'!!

Find more things that need welding.

You can get a BOC W bottle for £100