Just got first TIG rig!

[Sodo]

Just got the Miller TIG kit for the MultiMatic 200 (TIG/MIG/Stick combo machine, inverter). Its all assembled & ready.

But I'm out in the woods on my phone and can't peruse Youtubes efficiently. With luck, I can look at one, maybe two. It can take a long time to download even 2 minutes worth. Can anybody who has fast internet recommend which one? Prefer one with lots of startup info in about 5 minutes max.

No point even starting the generator until I can get some basics. I have gas-welded a lot, TIG'd alu one time with zero instruction & questionable results. For example I dont know if I touch the electrode, or just mash on the pedal. Sure would be great to have experience looking over my shoulder! Have only DC so will be doing steel only (no Alu).

Written tips appreciated too. Possibly the vids won't come in at all. Will bring the welder home though so I can practice at home.

TIA!

 

[Shield Arc]

Just jump right in, you don't need no stinking videos!
Remember that mechanical engineering student I helped with the aluminum bike frame?
He went from this first picture, to the second picture in about 2-hours.

 

[Sodo]

Stinking videos will certainly accelerate success. Interesting you say 2 hours. Is that the same time-warp as your "2 weeks?" :laughing:

Still want video links if anybody knows of any for quick start / overview.

 

[k0ua]

Tig Welding Basics


Jody is hard to beat for welding info and videos on you tube.. Welding tips and tricks.

 

[Sodo]

Thank J, basics #4 was good. I'm off. Jody is great!

Tig Welding Basics part 4 Metal Prep

 

[k0ua]

Thank J, basics #4 was good. I'm off. Jody is great!

Tig Welding Basics part 4 Metal Prep

Yeah if you pay attention to Jody and with the skills in other processes you already have. You will be turning out TIG projects in no time.

 

[Sodo]

OK here's the 1st 3 TIG welds. This kind of welding is so "civilized". Similar to O/A but the flame doesn't blow the puddle around. And it's much more difficult to keep the arc lit than a flame, but you can reduce the heat. Neat stuff! Wish I had it years ago.

#1 First weld is just a bead on a flat 1/8" thick steel.
#2 weld on the outside corner of 18ga Stainless
#3 is a 3/8" pipe to the 18ga. The bead advances quicker than I expected, not easy to follow around the little 3/8 OD pipe.

I never did find a video showing how you start the arc. Can this be explained in words? Ended up just flooring the pedal, and lightly touch the point and lift off a tiny bit. Sometimes it sticks, and I do the stick-welding memory-motion and break it off like a dog with it's jaws on a gopher. I had to grind my tungsten sharp again 3 times. ,,,,,,need a better technique if I'm going to be a civilized man.

 

[Shield Arc]

ZAP one of the moderators over on Welding Web has a great idea for sharpening tungsten.
Remove the wheel guard on your bench grinder, and stand behind the bench grinder. Use a drill motor to spin the tungsten. Now this grinding wheel should only be used for grinding tungsten.

 

[4570Man]

You are making me want to go out to the shop and melt something with the tig that I have never used.

 

[Shield Arc]

You are making me want to go out to the shop and melt something with the tig that I have never used.

Tig welding can be very enjoyable!

 

[Sodo]

I used a new flapper disc on the angle grinder and twirled the rod in my fingers. If the cone looks centered is that good enough?

What I really need at this point is the arc start method, I feel like a caveman.

 

[Shield Arc]

You don't want grinding line to rotate around the tungsten. You want the grind lines to run straight with the tungsten.

Does your welder have high frequency start?

 

[bamboozled]

You don't want grinding line to rotate around the tungsten. You want the grind lines to run straight with the tungsten.

Does your welder have high frequency start?

Looks like its a DC only, scratch start machine.

I use a diamond blade on a 4.5 inch grinder to sharpen my tungstens. Turn the grinder upside down, lay the tungstens on the shield and twirl with my fingers to keep the grind lines in line.

 

[k0ua]

Apparently you don't have HF start, So scratch start it like a stick more or less. Of course you get some contamination because you have to touch the tungsten to the work. Some rotate the cup to rotate the end of the tungstun in to the work and then slightly out, but maintaining the arc. When you are set for really low amps (say less than 20) the arc gets harder and harder to start. It requires more concentration.. When you get under 10 amps, the arc is pretty small. Weld up some 12 gauge copper wire with it for fun and practice. Make some "crush washers" like these. Or some little chain. I knew you would like it.. I have been egging you on to get it for years.

 

[Shield Arc]

scratch start machine.

Oh, that's a little harder to get the hang of.

 

[Sodo]

You don't want grinding line to rotate around the tungsten. You want the grind lines to run straight with the tungsten

OK that seems easy enough to get straight grind lines from an angle grinder (flapper disc).

4th weld is a fillet (the inside of that outside corner). Had trouble at the start & finish but in the middle welded like a hero! Lots to learn.

There's so much more going on, the arc length, feeding wire, holding the torch, the foot pedal a lot of coordination to learn. Plus start & stop and heat buildup. Seems like there's so much more heat than MIG welding, maybe because the mig is shoving wire in & phase-changing it? The backside of a MIG weld doesn't burn up like the backside of a TIG weld.

So I have scratch-start huh? OK good now I know. Will try the cup method.

 

[Shield Arc]

in the middle welded like a hero!

Except for all the under cut!

 

[Sodo]

How about the middle to the left of the undercut? But not sure that's undercut may be discoloration. Will look again tomorrow when I go back to the shop.

It's hero enough. Even so I wouldn't have the slightest idea (or ability) how to change any aspect of that weld. I was like a one-eyed cat watching four mouse holes.

 

[4570Man]

It looks like just discoloration to me. Cut off both ends leaving only the good weld to show people.

 

[Big Barn]

It looks like just discoloration to me. Cut off both ends leaving only the good weld to show people.

Which explains why my projects all end up being smaller than planned.

Terry