Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

So I bought a Smiley TIG/ARC/PLASMA welder. With the intent of using itas my beginner welder and using it for everday grime things that I like to do, like making brackets and downpipes etc
First off, it came with ALOT of pieces, an air filter, lots of cups and tips and electrodes and plasma consumables and such.

Obviously Im going to have to buy a tank, how big would you guys suggest? I cant see it being used much, maybe once a week, mabe more if i get into it and start making ---- for locals. But how big should the tank be?

Is 100% argon exactly what I want for all types of jobs I will be doing with this welder?

I dont even understand how the plasma portion of it works yet, or what makes it function.

I guess I need to buy some welding rods aswell right?

Would love any sites or reading material anyone can provide me with online

So are there any sites I can read up on online to get me STARTED with Tig welding?

Like to actually weld a piece of metal together without shocking myself? Preferably without a pedal lessons being as the smiley doesnt have a pedal

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

I think someone posted a link for the Haynes welding manual. I picked one up at Harbor Freight and it's pretty good but a little slim on GTAW. I think alot of the big manufacturing welding company's have some pretty good info. Check out Miller and Maybe Lincoln.
I got a 80 cubic foot tank with pure argon just like two days ago, but my Thermal Arc TIG is still under the tree. :'( I'd say go with a 80 cubic foot cause the 40 is pretty small and the guy at the shop I got mine from said it'd last like 2 hours. A 20 cubic foot is just retarted. You can buy the tanks on ebay and from Harbor Freight also but when I did my pricing they were pretty much the same then you had to include pricing on that also and then have it filled. So buying it locally just made more sense.
For the plasma cutter you just need like a air compressor. I wanted a Smiley combo unit like yours but couldn't find them cheap enough when I was looking and for my Thermal Arc for cheaper. I'll just have to get a chinese plasma later.

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

I had a 60 bottle for a while and it was fine. I have since gotten a 90....now I don't weld much anymore..

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

What about welding rod and such? Which would I need to make exhaust's out of mild steel and some stainless?

I would be doing a lot of bracketry and heatshields probably to

Any links to any of these manuals for welding? Just to get me started on basically how to go from knowing nothing to laying your first bead

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

U have a link to them from harbor freight? I dont see them on their site?

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

just hook the stuff up and ---- around for a bit. i was laying down a decent weld my first week.

Re: Got My Smiley Tig- What Do I Need To Know? Tips? Tanks? Teach Me To TIG
 

I bought the Haynes manual right at the store by me. They should have it online since they have soo much more online then they do at any retail store. The local welding shops can get you started also and let them know what your gonna be doing.