True, but the average length of one of my TIG welds is about 2". I don't get many stubs to worry about!!! I tend to use the TIG for small repairs rather than fabrication. I prefer the MIG for that as its less fussy and a lot faster!!
- Thread starter Mr shiney
- Start date
True, but the average length of one of my TIG welds is about 2". I don't get many stubs to worry about!!! I tend to use the TIG for small repairs rather than fabrication. I prefer the MIG for that as its less fussy and a lot faster!!
Richard.
Member
- Messages
- 18,344
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
I used to cut them in half when I first started with Tig but I've now not done it in years as I can accurately feed the rod through my fingers and use the whole length if I need to, I do how ever religiously bend the last inch over. Why ??? I don't really know I've just always done it, yes there is a hot end and it's less of a point to stick in the eye of nosy bystanders but that's not the reason why I do it I just do.
Richard.
Member
- Messages
- 18,344
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
If you use a whole 1 metre rod not cut down and your stub is 100mm then you throw away 1 rod in every ten used. If you cut it in half you throw away 2 rods in every ten used.
If you start doing this with a box of 312 or even even worse Ti then your starting to throw away penny's.
Maker
Most folk just call me; Orange Joe
- Messages
- 10,623
- Location
- Keeler crater
I cut mine in half because, as a beginner, I find a full rod to be whippy. I save the stubs and use them for tacking because you can hold them differently without the need to feed any more than an inch.
I like the idea of folding the back end over, it would help with picking up rods whilst wearing gloves.
I like the idea of folding the back end over, it would help with picking up rods whilst wearing gloves.
True, but for the 50 rods a year I use then it really is penny's so not worth worrying about. I could see in a production environment it being an issue where every penny counts. But in my garage where I am doing it for fun its not likely to be an issue?
Richard.
Member
- Messages
- 18,344
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
In that case do it if your more comfortable as it's not worth effecting weld quality for a few pence in saving.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
- Messages
- 18,010
- Location
- East Yorkshire
I guess it all depends on what you are left with. I can weld up to 120ish amps and burn the rod down to less than a couple of inches,so it's hardly worth the time farting about.
But if you are worried about wastage, buy a pin vice and hold the dog ends in that
(and no I don't use one, I tack then last bit on to the new length* if I'm in that sort of mood [rarely
) Although I always do with No8 as it's sooooooooo expensive.
*The guy that taught me to gas weld when I was a teenager used to tack the dog ends together, and it kind of stuck. It's easier with tig; let the last bit freeze in the weld, pick another rod up and a quick flash will tack the old to new, no burnt fingers or gloves. simples
But if you are worried about wastage, buy a pin vice and hold the dog ends in that
(and no I don't use one, I tack then last bit on to the new length* if I'm in that sort of mood [rarely) Although I always do with No8 as it's sooooooooo expensive.*The guy that taught me to gas weld when I was a teenager used to tack the dog ends together, and it kind of stuck
. It's easier with tig; let the last bit freeze in the weld, pick another rod up and a quick flash will tack the old to new, no burnt fingers or gloves. simples 