Which accessories...

[Dan..]

Hi all I have purchasee an r tech 210 digital tig after discussing options on here.

I am looking to use it for welding stainless exhausts, aluminium intercooler pipework, aluminium tanks, and the odd but if cast ally such as water pump outlets.(if I can master it!)

Obviously all the above is not particularly thick, which tungsten / filler rods would you recommend for my application?

Also I need a mask any recommendations? This is for hobby work so I'd rrather not spend hundreds, equally I don't want to buy cheap rubbish.

Anything else I will need to get me going? I have gas regulator etc

thanks in advance

 

[daleyd]

Soft Tig gloves would be a good bet as well, there is a member (Langy) on here selling some Miller ones which look to be a bit nice.

There have been some recent threads on masks, I'll post a link if I come across one. You don't need to spend o fortune, you can get a decent one for sensible money.

I'm sure one of the guys who are into tig will be able to help you with filler rods etc

Have you got a pea shooter type flow meter, that's next on my list as using the standard reg gauges I think I'm using way too much gas.

 

[daleyd]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/which-welding-mask.51031/

In the same section there are also more helmet threads which may be useful.

 

[Richard.]

For the stainless I'd get some 308 for 304 material and some 316 for 316. If you plan on doing some dissimilar work (stainless - mild steel) then add some 309's to the collection also
For cast aluminium (which is usually loaded with silicon) I'd suggest a 4043 (5% Si) it's always worth having some 5356 (5% mag)
Hotrodder a member on here is very knowledgeable with consumables and can give a far more detailed explaination as to what you would need.
He recommended some excellent tungsten electrodes to me also

 

[Dan..]

Thanks just the kind of info i was after

i hate being a Newby and knowing nothing!

regarding the flow meter are they worth it? I always just judged my mig by ear.

 

[norlander]

personally I like to check flow occasionally with the peashooter, no point in burning gas, true, you can tell by soot/holes if you have too little or too much so as I say its each to his own on that.
I have ESAB tig gloves and they are ace.
Helmet, I find I need shade 10 and 11 and 4 sensors for TIG.

 

[Maker]

"Huntingdon fusion multi strikes" are the tungstens that hotrodder recommends, they work brilliant on AC and DC. 1/16" or 3/32" is probably the size you want.

I use a True fusion helmet, it costs less than £40 and has; variable shade from 5 to 13, 4 sensors, a load of spare lenses and a bag to keep it all in.

Get a peashooter to check your gas flow.

 

[daleyd]

Thanks just the kind of info i was after

i hate being a Newby and knowing nothing!

regarding the flow meter are they worth it? I always just judged my mig by ear.

Nothing wrong with that in itself, other than you could be throwing money into the air. (Pure argon isn't cheap)

For the price, I would imagine they would pay for themselves within a few months if you are doing any amount of welding. If you are a very occasional user the payback time may be more, but the principle still applies.

 

[Richard.]

6-8lpm on the gas flow. As Norlander suggests get a pea shooter £3-£4
Measuring at the business end is the way to go. And as delayed said these tungstens are the nuts for both AC and DC. I was advised on them and they are worth the extra cost particular for DC when keeping a arrow sharp point is critical.