First TIG welding class

[dkf1998]

Well, I TIG Welded last night for the first time ever. I started a TIG class at the local VoTech school and we started out on aluminum. What a humbling experience, I knew I wasn't going to be able to weld like Shield Arc, but I thought I would catch on fairly quick. I learned to O/A weld back in the late 70's and went to the VoTech for stick welding quite a few years ago. I am very comfortable stick welding in pretty much in all positions and I thought that experience would translate to Tig....WRONG. It kind of reminded me of trying to rub your stomach, pat your head and tap your right foot at the same time. I think the hardest part was controlling the heat, maintaining proper torch height, torch speed, getting the puddle started, dipping the filler rod, and proper body position....lol I'm sure I left something out. I did manage to squeak out some so so beads, but nothing great.. I was using a Miller Dynasty 200 with a torch cooler, 3/32 tungsten; I don't remember the filler rod size. I did really enjoy the class and look forward to next week.

 

[LD1]

Thats a sweet welder to run too. Lots of features that can be fine tuned for aluminum.

I am by no means a pro, but no one can learn to tig weld overnight. Especially aluminum. Once you have a good understand of the concept and what you are "supposed" to do, that really is all that can be taught. Everything else just comes down to experience. Practice, practice, practice is the only way to get good.

 

[AlanB]

Lots of my friends who weld, really beat themselves up when they come over to learn TIG. As you have said, there are a lot of variables that you are working with at that point. Just like any welding though, it is really about practice. You need the class to get you started in the right direction, and to give you some paramaters to work from, but after that, it is a learned and practiced skill, but it sure is satisfying.

Good luck.

 

[nybirdman]

I have done a lot of it for a living;aluminum is the most difficult.They should have started you with mild steel or stainless.

 

[Arc weld]

Starting TIG on aluminum is more likely to frustrate someone than inspire them. People that do a lot of TIG aluminum will say it's the easiest metal to work with. The hardest metal I've heard to TIG weld is Monel because it has the consistency of butter. I've seen some amazing things done with aluminum.

 

[yomax4]

I would have thought they would have started you out on Stainless. Aluminum is cool once you get it. it really helps if you have an inverter so you can use pointed tungsten for smaller heat affected zone. Wave Balance and Hz settings will make or break you on Aluminum.. Keep after it.

 

[weldermike]

I always found aluminum was way easier when i was younger, and still to this day to be honest. Its a faster process so to speak but not so micro fine as with the steels. I feel i have more time to think with aluminum then with such a real quick wet out with the ferrous metals. I handle both fairly well but love tigging aluminum.

 

[Reverser]

Looks good, Weldermike.
You're a pro for sure. :thumbsup:

 

[dkf1998]

I always found aluminum was way easier when i was younger, and still to this day to be honest. Its a faster process so to speak but not so micro fine as with the steels. I feel i have more time to think with aluminum then with such a real quick wet out with the ferrous metals. I handle both fairly well but love tigging aluminum.

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Very impressive looking welds.

 

[dkf1998]

Starting TIG on aluminum is more likely to frustrate someone than inspire them. People that do a lot of TIG aluminum will say it's the easiest metal to work with. The hardest metal I've heard to TIG weld is Monel because it has the consistency of butter. I've seen some amazing things done with aluminum.

The instructor told us that he starts his students on Aluminum because everything is is larger and easier to see.
What material would you start a new TIG welder on?

 

[LD1]

I personally think SS or mild steel is easier to learn on. They weld about the same, but stainless gives a better finished look that would help to build confidence in a new welder.

 

[weldermike]

I personally think SS or mild steel is easier to learn on. They weld about the same, but stainless gives a better finished look that would help to build confidence in a new welder.

Not nescesarily true bud. Stainless will turn to a crusty looking dull grey if not done in a orderly fashion. Alot of new guys to tig tend to travel way to slow and just overheat it.

 

[LD1]

A quick pass with a wire brush knocks most of that off. Unless you are talking about something else.

And a once over with a wire brush leaves it better looking than mild steel. IMO

 

[weldermike]

A quick pass with a wire brush knocks most of that off. Unless you are talking about something else.

And a once over with a wire brush leaves it better looking than mild steel. IMO

Gotcha bud. Stainless will produce some beautiful colors sometimes, but that has nothing to do with quality of the weld but some new guys eat it up and love it. Heres a stainless weld, border line of hot but ripped out fast to stay ahead of boiling it out. Absolutely no color, and one of a pretty one leaving rainbows behind it. Nothing wrong with either.

 

[LD1]

I don't do much with a tig anymore. But did lots at my last job. I am not sure on the rainbow effect, and if it has to do with grade if material, but I never got that using filler.

But would get it every time when doing thinner metal in a joint that didn't require filler.

 

[AlanB]

I would start folks that just want to learn to tig on mild steel, easy to weld, cheap, laying around the shop and easy to see the color coming on and going to molten. The biggest problem I encounter when trying to teach Aluminum is it is harder / quicker / less visible to see as it goes to molten. But most folks that want to learn TIG usually are really wanting to do Aluminum so we just usually start there.

 

[Arc weld]

Stainless flows the nicest and is the easiest to see. In school we only worked with thinner stainless. The back side turned black from carbide precipitation but since it was just practice welds, we didn't worry about it. Experienced TIG welders can make the weld turn out a nice gold color with just the right heat.

 

[weldermike]

Stainless flows the nicest and is the easiest to see. In school we only worked with thinner stainless. The back side turned black from carbide precipitation but since it was just practice welds, we didn't worry about it. Experienced TIG welders can make the weld turn out a nice gold color with just the right heat.

10/4 bud, gold means you nailed it across the board. Speed, travel, feed and heat.

 

[dkf1998]

After 3 classes I am starting to get the hand of it. Certainly need a lot more practice, but I'm making progress. Time to start thinking about a TIG machine.