First try at TIG
12-20-2007, 06:08 PM
#1
1.5 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 964
First try at TIG
Ok, so I want to make a SS turbo mani, and decided I wanted a welder, so I got one, and today i tried my hand at TIG for the first time. I've arc welded here and there, and consider my self decent at it. I guess nothing ever fell apaprt that I've sticked. So, I got some els and some ts from Ace, and cut them down to make a log. Then I've used the scraps to practice.
not horrible, but not clean and neat like its supposed to be. I think it kinda looks like stick weld without the splatter.
the bottom ring there was me with it on AC by mistake. AC + SS = tungsten go bye bye. Once I figured that out, and put it on DC, things went a lot better. Also, the middle ring is where I tried a 308 stick from work. That top ring was my first try at the tig. I'm still getting used to the foot control. So what do you think, any tips/hints? Also, the tigging was done with 100% argon, 20 CFH, and some stainless filler that I could look up the number if anyone wants it.
P.S. if you ever need your tungsten grinded, let me know. Seems like I was doing it every 3 minutes so I got pretty good.
not horrible, but not clean and neat like its supposed to be. I think it kinda looks like stick weld without the splatter.
the bottom ring there was me with it on AC by mistake. AC + SS = tungsten go bye bye. Once I figured that out, and put it on DC, things went a lot better. Also, the middle ring is where I tried a 308 stick from work. That top ring was my first try at the tig. I'm still getting used to the foot control. So what do you think, any tips/hints? Also, the tigging was done with 100% argon, 20 CFH, and some stainless filler that I could look up the number if anyone wants it.
P.S. if you ever need your tungsten grinded, let me know. Seems like I was doing it every 3 minutes so I got pretty good.
12-20-2007, 08:52 PM
#2
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,785
Re: First try at TIG
Hahahah damn...I can do soo much worse then that. :P No seriously...I had to double check to see if I got a welder cause I was burning holes though everything. lol. Now that I have my garage back and should really start using my TIG I've use like twice since last xmas.
12-20-2007, 09:13 PM
#4
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 0
Re: First try at TIG
Well, obviously clean your metal better. You tungsten looks contaminated. Anytime you touch with the tungsten or get anything on it STOP and regrind it. You look to welding way too hot. Hand speed is learned as well.
12-20-2007, 10:16 PM
#5
1.5 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 964
Re: First try at TIG
Yea, about the hot, I finish my weld, wait for the post flow and it is red hot for about a quarter sized spot. I had it on 125 amps and its only schedule 40 pipe. I was thinkin it was a little too warm too. Next chance I get I'll turn the heat down and see what happens. Also, I know the tungsten needs to be pure, but how can you tell if its contaminated? Like sometimes I think it gets too hot and it gets discolored for a quarter of an inch toward the tip, even when I don't touch the weld pool.
12-21-2007, 12:20 AM
#7
1.5 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 964
Re: First try at TIG
lol, yea I remember seeing that a time or two.
And I know, tig is the worst on gettin burnt because of no flux. I learned the hard way when I first started stick welding during the summer time. I almost went to the emergency room the next day cause I got blistered.
And I know, tig is the worst on gettin burnt because of no flux. I learned the hard way when I first started stick welding during the summer time. I almost went to the emergency room the next day cause I got blistered.
12-21-2007, 05:14 AM
#10
!! UNCONFIRMED EMAIL !!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,305
Re: First try at TIG
first those welds look like ----,
second what i did my first time was just get an arc going and only have the pedal pressed down far enough to just barely even melt the metal
on stainless your pool is only going to be like 1.5T to 2T or 2 thicknesses of the metal so learn to keep it that wide, and keep the tungston like 1-2mm above the metal, thats how you get penatration. and only dip your filler when you see that pool dropping.
second what i did my first time was just get an arc going and only have the pedal pressed down far enough to just barely even melt the metal
on stainless your pool is only going to be like 1.5T to 2T or 2 thicknesses of the metal so learn to keep it that wide, and keep the tungston like 1-2mm above the metal, thats how you get penatration. and only dip your filler when you see that pool dropping.
