TIG - How hard can it be?

[malcolm]

I've been playing with the TIG again today. The Miller education tips were very helpful, and I've started to develop a technique angling the torch forwards and welding towards the wire (otherwise the wire gets stuck and left behind!).

Started practicing on 0.8mm steel as it's easy to cut, and I managed a really TIG looking weld without filler rod. Addding a bit of filler rod the bead looked narrower and pointier than expected - too little heat probably.

Very keen to glue two bits of metal together so tried an overlap joint. This seemed very tricky as the arc kept jumping to the overlaped sheet and burned the edge away before I could persuade any filler to go in. Granted there was a little spacing between the sheets but it would have been no problem with MIG. Then the tungston started glowing red hot and I gave up. The arc was nicer with a reground tip, but seemed to go off quickly.

If it was MIG I'd tell myself to practice on 1.5mm sheet until I get the hang of it, so that's my plan. Also I'm not sure what kind of tungston I have in there so will buy some new ones (the one I have came with the welder and is getting very short). I'm a bit worried by the red hot tungston. For polarity I have earth connected to work and torch to electrode.

Any pointers would be much appreciated - I'm new to the TIG thing.

 

[oddball90]

How have you got on with Tig welding, with my new portamig managed to weld 2 bits of 2mm aliminium together, had to run the weld pool up to the top sheet which seemed to work well. Weld didn't look to bad but it was very strong ali bent but weld didn't move. I didn't grind the tungsten, going to try that tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. Problem is no one is open to get some more off cuts to practice on or to get some 2.4mm collets as i bought 2.4mm tungstens when i picked up argon gas bottle from BOC.Don

 

[oddball90]

This is one of my practice joints on ali before i started on ny new fuel tank. Not to bad and it even holds water. Don

 

[malcolm]

That looks like it's worked! I've not tried mine since December. Still need to order some shiny new tungstons before I have a go at some slightly thicker metal.

Good to see you getting some decent results. Next week I shall order the tungstons and see if I can figure it out before my gas runs out.

 

[oddball90]

I know what you mean, as you use pure argon for both ali and steel i rented a full size bottle from boc. Glad i did as seem to use a fare bit of gas when tig welding. Got some books to read on how to tig weld but struggle to get my head around them( got a cold), could not find a course teaching tig welding in Northampton. So will try and teach myself, got to learn so can make some more fuel tanks up for friends to get some money back on buying that good tig welder. Don

 

[peter9763@tiscali.co.uk]

Malcolm electrode should be connected to negative and work positive. Then most of heat will go into work instead od electrode. Aluminium is welded on A/C this illiminates the need for a flux to breakdown the oxide layer the reversing action of the a/c current doing it. Tungsten should also be allowed to ball up for aluminium. Multistike are now prefered due to no cancer forming constituents.

 

[malcolm]

Many thanks to weldequip for the tungstons and other bits and pieces. I'm now running 1.6mm ceriated (grey tip) tungstons, and am practicing on 1.2mm steel sheet. The tips work well - seem to stay in shape longer than whatever was in there before.

Not a lot of time to practice at the weekend (needed to fix a car so I could drive to work today) but did manage an untidy butt weld in the photo (the middle weld). Amps were too high (or welding too slow) and my directional control was poor, but it's an encouraging step forward in practicing.

Managed that with a 3 step plan - buy the right bits, read the instructions (amazing how close the tungston needs to be to the steel), and practice on thicker metal.

Next is going to be set up a chair and get to a stedy position. Tricky to weld when you are balancing on one foot with the other trying to make sense of foot pedal amp control. Next practice is going to be on fixed amps too to take some confusion out. I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

 

[$ilver]

Nice to see how people are getting on with pictures and stuff

Makes the forums interesting.

$ilver

 

[weldequip]

You'll be posting some of your own shortly $ilver, with your new toy?!
weldequip

 

[lexi]

I can`t see me touching Aluminium. That looks like it would make a Bishop kick in stained glass windows. Torch in one hand , a mask on your head, filler rod in other hand and the foot going like John Lee Hooker.......nae chance!!
Alex

 

[lexi]

What did Silver win the Tig on Ebay?........or one of our other members?
Alex

 

[malcolm]

Certainly takes a bit of getting used to doesn't it. Have you had a chance to play with your TIG function yet?

Alu doesn't seem out of the question - I ran a little weld over some scrap 1mm channel to see what AC was like and it seemed to melt well enough without blowing through. Some promise there, but first I'll get steel cracked.

 

[lexi]

No time yet to play with that funcion Malc. I did zip through a piece of plate with Plasma today with a profiled cut that would have taken God knows how long with the Surgeons tool kit that I normally use. Need to work on some props to steady the hand.

Alex

 

[weldequip]

Need to work on some props to steady the hand.

Just cut down on the whisky Alex
weldequip

 

[$ilver]

You'll be posting some of your own shortly $ilver, with your new toy?!
weldequip

Yea and I will be expecting constructive advice and no sniggering behind the keyboards!

$ilver

 

[Haze]

I've never tried it but my brother told me and the first welding book I read also said that tig is the easiest to control and master, MIG being the most difficult, I'm guessing they mean at a particular level rather than for straight beginners

 

[malcolm]

MIG is generally considered easier than TIG - with MIG you can control the torch with both hands, and it doesn't really matter if you aren't perfect on torch height - the wire will extend to compensate.

The difficult thing with TIG is the user has to control all the different variables at the same time, but that's the cool thing about it too - much more control (once you get the hang of it).

 

[lexi]

Yea and I will be expecting constructive advice and no sniggering behind the keyboards!

$ilver

Well spill the beans......whatyagot?
Alex

 

[$ilver]

Well spill the beans......whatyagot?
Alex

Well I won the PORTAMIG 206i inverter. I also orderd a ESAB Eye-Tech II Electronic Headshield 5-13 & Arc lead + torch from weldequip.

I guess he is waiting for my cheque to clear (sensible fellow) before he posts my kit

I will post pic when it arrives

$ilver

 

[lexi]

Whooooooooo Nothing but the best.....excellent mate!

Alex