How To TIG Weld

[vmx42]

Hey,
Tig welding lead light windows. I would pay to see that!!
WhooooHooo
VMX42

[VMX247]

Hey,
Tig welding lead light windows. I would pay to see that!!
WhooooHooo
VMX42

sorry- meant principles on positioning of your hands whilst moving along the join/weld.  ?
need a photo as mentioned before of it happening 
cheers

[Ji Gantor]

Okay I will try and use my teeth.

Ji

[BAHNZY]

So i print out the whole thread, take it up to the workshop where my new TIG welder awaits me. i have bought the correct filler rods set the machine up as advised and proceeded to go no where real fast. Not a puddle in sight, in fact looked more like i was etching the plate than anything else. After an hour of playing with the thing, i gave up in frustration. ARC, MIG, GAS, these i can handle with and i think do a pretty good job. This TIG thing has pushed me past breaking point.

HELP PLEASE

[Lozza]

Well Bahnsy TIG is TIG it isn't arc,gas or mig. If your in that much trouble why not enroll in a course at the local TAFE?Start with the basics, running a weld pool along the material.

OK well start with DC settings for ferrous metals (mild, stainless , titanium copper nickel etc etc). Switch to DC, 2T and TIG , set base current to 60% and peak current to 100% (of the required 40Amps per mm of material) Try that on mild steel and just see if you can get a weld pool and run it along the material.Is the electrode sharpened to a long fine point? Is the electrode a red tip for DC/ferrous welding or a white tip for non-ferrous(aluminium/magnesium)AC welding?

[Marc.com]

then just move the sharp tip of the electrode close to the material....not touching until the arc starts, then when you can see it start move in closer and start to concentrate the heat into a pool, make a pool then move forward adding small amounts  of filler.like gas welding with an arc

Start out with stainless filler wire, it will stick to anything. When you have both weld pieces hot with a pool formed sometimes you just add a little filler rod to get the party started and then you can run the pool along the two pieces adding just enough filler to keep the pool the same size. Sometimes you need a little filler like in a fillet weld to 'jump' the poll between the two pieces.

Your hands should keep the torch at about 20-30 degrees in the direction of travel depending how fast you are going.

[Marc.com]

remember NEVER touch the electrode on what you are welding it should be about 10 mm away from the pool

your etching comment sounds messed up like the welder is set wrong.....like in AC

[oldfart]

NOTE .... Make sure you have long pants on and your top button done up on your long sleeve shirt 
             or you will regrett it the next day
             Take your time and don't rush things

[Ji Gantor]

Hi Bahnsy,
Yes I agree TIG will send one to drink.
I have been helping first timers not unsimilar to myself sort out the problems on the Millers forum.
First you have to tell us exactly what you are doing so we can help.

Material you are trying to weld,
Material thickness,
Electrode colour,
Electrode thickness,
Electrode end profile,
What polarity have you clamped to the job,
Are you using the foot controller,
What gas are you using,
What is the gas flow rate you have set.

When we know all this I am sure we will get you welding.
Don't give up.
It is worth the problems.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Hi Bahnsy,
This is how I do TIG welding.
This has been provided as information only.
Refer to the Australian Standards for correct safety and use of welding equipment.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Lets start at the beginning.
First place the job clamp into the positive connector on the welder.
Clamp the job clamp directly to a coupon of 3mm thick aluminium that has been S/S wire brushed clean.
Set the welder to AC.
Set the welder to TIG.
Turn the pulse off (That is the toggle switch with the straight line and the square wave above, set to straight line).

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Connect a bottle of pure Argon gas.
With the torch pointed into the air pull the trigger and adjust the gas flow to 7 or 8 litres per minute.
Install a 2.4mm White tip electrode into the torch.
Make sure that you have selected the correct collet for the thickness of the electrode.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Do not grind the point of the electrode. The electrode will ball on its own.
Install a size 5 ceramic cup on the end of the torch.
Move the electrode so it protrudes 3mm from the end of the cup and lock off.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Welder settings.
Pre flow 1 secs
Peak current 120amps
Basic Current 65amps
Down slope 2
Arc force Not sure as mine does not have this setting try middle position
Pulse freq is now off
Pulse duty is now off
Clean width 50
Gas after flow 4 secs

Helmet
adjust your shielding screen to 12 so you can see the puddle form.
before the aluminium puddles it turns shiny.
When it turns shiny add some filler rod to the leading edge of the puddle.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Filler rod.
Match the electrode diameter so in this case use 2.4mm diameter 5356 rod.

position the torch electrode about 10mm from the job and pull the trigger.
As the arch is formed move the electrode to within 3mm of the job.
Hold the torch steady and wait for the alloy to go shiny.
Add some filler by dipping the rod at the leading edge while moving the electrode to the rear of the puddle.
Never touch the electrode to the job or the filler rod.
If you do touch one or both stop work and clean the job with a S/S wire brush and snap 12mm off the end of your electrode before commencing.

Always use a full face helmet.
Always use overlapping gloves and longsleeve shirt.
Always do the buttons up all the way to within the helmet.
TIG welding must be done in a non windy area so the gas is not blown away.
Always make sure you have ventilation so you are not breathing in the burnt gas.


Ji