Welding thin copper?

[Sammy7]

Could anyone help a complete novice?
I've just bought a second hand TIG (RTech 170 ext)
Having issues with thin copper (0.5mm sheet)
I'm using a single strand of CAT 5 cable as filler wire.
Is it possible to weld at this thickness?
I've enclosed a photo (I think)

Cheers

 

[JLP]

If that's your first ever tig weld then well done tbh

Copper is a bit of a pain (apparently a word beginning with B that rhymes with tugger is swearing?), but once it melts you want to be moving really quickly unless you back the power off. Once the material is up to temperature I've always found it melts pretty quick anyway

Out of interest why not just use a longer piece of copper if your just joining two flat sections?

 

[Sammy7]

JLP I was just practicing, and they were (and still are scrap) bits. You want to see the other piles of scrap I've created
One of the big problems i'm finding is at low power I can't see the puddle therefore press pedal a bit more, then "boom" great big hole.
Do you need a special mask? What shade would you suggest ?

 

[Sammy7]

Oh it's not my first ever tig weld, I've been creating scrap all week.

 

[123hotchef]

why can you not see the puddle? what lid are you using? I remember when I was using my cheap mask I too could not see the puddle upgraded and wow what a difference

 

[Sammy7]

Hotchef It's a old speedglas 9002v that a friend gave me. If I put it on shade 9 its too dark to see anything at very low power.
I'm not even sure it's working properly I've put new batteries in, because it was flashing on and off while welding, temporarily blinding me in the process.
How long do these masks last I think it's over 10 year old

 

[123hotchef]

is shade 9 the lowest setting it has?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Its not easy to see a puddle on copper, maybe try getting the helmet sorted first by practicing just running a puddle with no filler or anything else to distract you on a piece of thicker steel. Some helmets might not detect the relatively low current you will be using on .5mm so try a bit of 3mm steel to make sure the mask is working first as you are not going to get far if you cant see anything.

There are a couple of sensors on the front of the mask, make sure the outer cover is clean (if not you can polish it up with toothpaste or get a new one) and make sure the sensors are not covered in dust. Check the battery terminals are not corroded if its older or been sat around for a while.

 

[8ob]

Cheat Forget the filler rod, turn both ends of the job up a mm, bring them together and run along with the torch to fuse them together. Get it right and it will be flat when you have finished.



Bob

 

[JLP]

Hotchef It's a old speedglas 9002v that a friend gave me. If I put it on shade 9 its too dark to see anything at very low power.
I'm not even sure it's working properly I've put new batteries in, because it was flashing on and off while welding, temporarily blinding me in the process.
How long do these masks last I think it's over 10 year old

Clean the sensor, turn sensitivity up and hope for the best

Shade all depends on preference, eyesight and current really

But as bob said should be able to fuse and it be good enough

 

[Sammy7]

Bob that's cheating...…... I like it....
Hotchef 9 is lowest setting on helmet.
Hotpony I'll double check sensors, if I remember when I changed batteries terminals looked ok but i'll double check.
It seems to work on thicker materials but throws a wobbler every now and again It's like being in a disco...
I hope it's just the sensors these masks are rather expensive...….
Maybe my "so called friend" gave it me as he new it was knackered

Thanks

 

[Sammy7]

Cheers all I'll report back after having another play tonight

 

[123hotchef]

I probably use 8-10 when tiging but how is your eyesight?

 

[Sammy7]

Eyesight is pretty decent, hearing is an issue though....
That said I do use the "selective" hearing to my advantage though, as my wife would concur.

 

[WorkshopChris]

I'm using a single strand of CAT 5 cable as filler wire.

Just in case you didn't know, keep an eye on your filler. Not all CAT5 is born alike, its also sold as copper coated steel and copper coated aluminium.

 

[Sammy7]

Chris it was solid strand copper CAT5E, not the stuff for patch leads.
Thanks anyway it will make me check in future, that said I doubt i'm going to be doing much more welding with the stuff it's a nightmare with it being so thin.

 

[Brad93]

Use a backing strip of aluminium.

Clamp the copper down to it, arc up on the aluminium then drag the arc over to the copper. Put a nice blob on the start and the stop then make your run.

 

[Brad93]

You want OFC

Esab supply it in proper lengths.

 

[Richard.]

A bit ambitious I’d say considering your learning. Why not learn to tig weld on some thicker steel to perfect the basics.

 

[Sammy7]

Update. Helmet is knackered. Cleaned sensors, changed batteries again. No joy, intermittent flaring up etc. I spoke to "friend" who gave me the helmet. He confirmed it was dodgy, that why he GAVE it away.
Looks like I need to spend some money on a new one.
Thanks for suggestions though.