new to the TIG world, advise and tips

[BrokenBiker]

The OP is going to struggle welding aluminium with his DC set. Big part of the costs for a beginner is gas, so well worth spending a bit more on a CK gas saver front end kit, which does allow you to use less gas, and will save the difference over cheaper front end parts pretty quickly.

The OP is going to struggle welding aluminium with his DC set. Big part of the costs for a beginner is gas, so well worth spending a bit more on a CK gas saver front end kit, which does allow you to use less gas, and will save the difference over cheaper front end parts pretty quickly.

No where in the op does it mention he is even trying to think about welding aluminium...

 

[T0rnado69]

No where in the op does it mention he is even trying to think about welding aluminium...

indeed BB.

never said in the OP that i wanted to weld ali, as i know you need an AC/DC unit.

please lets keep it on steel and stainless.
thanks for all the advice and tips so far.


i did see the assortment pack on weldequip for £20
got it in my basket with few other bits.
but il wait till a parcel arrives from a very generous member,
who is sending me bits for a wp26 torch

going to need a reg too... twin gauge..
proberly get two as it goes, as the one on the mig is original one
that came with mig. so about 15 years old ? and only single gauge.

 

[Richard.]

My comments were based around beginner tig welding in general (AC/DC) should you want to upgrade etc.
Pick and chose the bits (if any) you want to take note on.

 

[T0rnado69]

wasn't pointing the finger richard.
all advice is so welcome, its not something im going to do everyday.
as for main welding il use the mig.
but its something i can learn on in any spare time i get..

 

[Richard.]

indeed BB.

never said in the OP that i wanted to weld ali, as i know you need an AC/DC unit.

please lets keep it on steel and stainless.
thanks for all the advice and tips so far.


i did see the assortment pack on weldequip for £20
got it in my basket with few other bits.
but il wait till a parcel arrives from a very generous member,
who is sending me bits for a wp26 torch

going to need a reg too... twin gauge..
proberly get two as it goes, as the one on the mig is original one
that came with mig. so about 15 years old ? and only single gauge.

You only need a single gage and add a flow tube.

 

[HMB]

Tornado give Mike at senators in grays a call. He'll sort something out for you

 

[Chris Stevens]

CK gas saver kits I have bought are all gas lens type, and have slash cut collets, which are I think another advantage for a beginner.

 

[Richard.]

CK gas saver kits I have bought are all gas lens type, and have slash cut collets, which are I think another advantage for a beginner.

Those none split collets are great.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I have used slash collets for a long time, but last year got a 400A torch which came with split type, and was surprised at how poor they are.

 

[Richard.]

Really. Can you not fit the slash collets to the 400amp torch.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Yes its Speedway version of WP18 (Ebay £20), but as only used it twice, not really worth getting good parts for it.

 

[T0rnado69]

You only need a single gage and add a flow tube.

cant add a flow tube to it. the output in just a nipple to put your pipe on.
not a threaded one.


cheers HMB, il look them up.

 

[Chris Stevens]

cant add a flow tube to it. the output in just a nipple to put your pipe on.
not a threaded one.


cheers HMB, il look them up.

Easy to get a pea shooter flow gauge, and measure the gas flow as its actually coming out of the torch. More accurate way of measuring as well.

 

[T0rnado69]

yer there is that way chris, but the reg is getting old now, i dunno if they have a end date for them.
but for the sake of £35 i might just get a new one for the mig aswell as one for the tig.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Yes good idea to change reg. Have a look at the Esab ones which are a single stage reg with built in flowmeter........there were some on Ebay recently not much more than the Chinese offerings (ESAB though is probably Chinese now though)/

 

[T0rnado69]

i was looking at the wescol ones on weldequip
about £35 for a twin gauge one.

 

[T0rnado69]

ok so i got some bits from weldequip delivered today.

super quick delivery, great service to boot.
thanks very much !
shame about the courier

looking at going to get some gas tomorrow.


was wondering anyone local ish, have an empty filler wire plastic tube going spare.

cheers.