Tig welding.

I've recently got into tig welding and my tig that I'm using is a sip p178 dc inverter , but just decided to post up and see if anyone else here also does any tig welding just to give me some advice . Thanks Gareth

I was taught to TIG weld during my apprenticeship over 30 years ago so am a bit rusty on technique. I have recently invested in a Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG set as I have a need to weld aluminium.

There is a lot of good information on youtube, good starting point would be the videos by weld.com, it's called Tig Time, the presenter 'Mr TIG' is a font of knowledge, just have to keep in mind that being American there are some differences to what we generally have in the UK,

A few years ago I bought myself this excellent Chinese made 200 amp DC single phase inverter Tig set. This replaced a horrible Italian made Clarke 155 Ark/ Tig set that I had just got rid of.

This one is a Giant brand, and amongst other things I have used it to repair broken iron castings on a full size traction engine. It's a shame it's not an AC/DC set, but if I have to weld aluminium I do it with the Tig I use at work.

The photo shows it ready to weld up the new tank I made for a vintage AEC bus.

Gareth,

I have one of those 3in1 machines, TIG, ARC & Plasma and am more than happy with it.

Look at a few videos, BUT the only way to learn will be to get hands dirty.

Have a look at my thread and my photo Album.

Unless you have done gas welding, it may take time to get used to feeding the rod and keeping the Tungsten from dipping into the puddle. Have a handful of sharpened replacements at hand, as you will need them.

I needed them, and I've had years of gas welding experience

What size Argon bottle do you have?

Don't waste your money on a 10lt bottle, get a 20lt one, rent free of course.

Auto helmet, gloves etc and a bench that you can sit at, as TIG needs a far steadier hand compared to gas welding.

That blasted Tungsten just loves diping into the molten puddle!

Geoff - Practice practice practice.

Hi.TIG welding is just like embroidery, it takes patience and a rhythmical approach to feeding the filler wire into the leading edge of the weld pool. With aluminium, you need to extra clean,use a stainless steel brush to break the oxide layer. Start on 3mm material ,just putting beads on the plate.You will learn that you will need to increase the speed as the material heats up, use a big piece to start with,small pieces overheat too quickly.

Sorry only replying now , I do have a full size bottle ( 20ltr) . Also previously mig welded and did arc welding but finding the tig a bit more difficult , saying that I've only been trying it out on stainless steel currently. will need to get more electrodes to get trying out some other steels. Thanks Gareth

Hi Gareth , TiG is wonderful I wish I could buy a setup. Have MIG and Stick . You have the best version to play with , but need gas, Hopefully its not like MIG were the wire corrodes up if you don't use it Kind Regards Martin

Where are you, I taught welding for 15 years if I can be of any help. I am in north Manchester/

I'd recommend TIG gloves which are thin and supple, rather than the massive heavy duty things you use for stick welding, casting etc. As Geoff says, feeding the filler rod in is tricky enough when you are also trying to control the torch and keep the damned electrode out of the puddle / away from the rod. TIG gloves are thin enough that you can feel and control the rod.

Other thing I found helpful was strong lighting so you can see clearly through the helmet before the arc starts. I also fitted a magnifying lens which is available from most suppliers and got a helmet with a nice big window.

I wasted a lot of time with a Xmas cracker auto darkening helmet. Finally got a Miller helmet and then a Lincoln one which served to show how crap the cheapo one was. Probably worth trying a good one so that you have something to compare with.

Finally, I had enough to do with my hands anyway, so made a foot pedal to control the current. I found a pot on the torch almost impossible to use sensibly, whereas a foot pedal is easy enough to come to terms with.

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You are winding me up aren't you ?

You have a TiG set and send a broken handwheel to be welded ??????

Calm down John please! 🙏

Mine is a tiddly 120Amp DC machine.

What's the equivalent of 'skin off a rice pudding' for welding?

It does what I need, JUST.

I've never tried welding aluminium, even with O/A, and I know IF I tried, there would be a big puddle on the floor, hence asking an expert for help.

Geoff - I would not DARE or even THINK of taking the proverbial 😍

You need AC for aluminium

Hi all, within subject I hope.......

I have suffered with corroded mig wire......I live in a converted water mill.......have now fitted a light rose inside the mig machine where the wire reel goes.....have a 11watt eco bulb on all the time plus an old blanket over the machine.........

no more problems..........

cheers clogs