Just got first TIG rig!

[Shield Arc]

There must be something wrong with your welder! I can't believe it's taking you this long to get the hang of Tig welding.

 

[Mysfyt]

Scratch starting with Tig puts you at a disadvantage from the get go. Takes the nice point off that you need for a nice stable arc. Try someone's high freq with a foot pedal now that you have some experience and you won't want to go back to scratch start.

 

[Sodo]

I've figgered out to get any respect welding you have to pay your dues on the old-school machine first. In that case I'd better "stick" with scratch start for awhile.

I was wondering how a good welder protects the sharp point. The precise weld is clearly a product of a lot of pre-planned elements. Position, joint prep, where you start and stop, your posture, how you hold the torch, your mouth, and then of course the arc length, foot control, how often you dip the filler rod, loads of detail.

It's a world of difference from a MIG. With a MIG (and stick) you weld and then go use the dang thing. MIG is all about the repair, and creating something to USE. With a TIG, there's ceremony before, lots of concentration during, ceremony after. It's all about the weld.

But it's satisfying (can be). I will need an AC machine (someday) anyway.

 

[4570Man]

I have never tig welded. I have never even seen tig welding done, but this thread is making me want to try. How should I set my welder? I will probably practice on steel.

 

[crystallake]

I have the same machine as your syncrowave 250 so maybe this will get you started: 100%Argon gas only, Power on, Output switch electrode Neg, Crater time off, Amp adjust-remote down, output switch - remote down, Arc control off-down, postflow 5sec,HF switch - start up. for 1/8 inch steel set to about 125amps, let her rip.

 

[Shield Arc]

In the 1970s I worked partners with a guy for over two years. I swear he is the best Tig welder I ever seen in my life. He can Tig weld faster than I can stick weld. Funny thing, he is a monster of a man! One of his fingers is about the same size as my wrist!
He taught me everything I know about heat shrinking. He helped the guy do the beams on the Space Needle.

4570Man that is one of the best Tig machines ever built. You can go on Miller's web site and down load the manual for it. You'll need a foot pedal, a water cooler is nice, but not really needed if you don't plan on doing much aluminum. Cool mate water cooler are very nice. Then you'll need a torch. My Miller Dynasty 300 came with a WP-20 torch, which is a water cooled torch. I've been really happy with it.

 

[Big Barn]

I have the same machine as your syncrowave 250 so maybe this will get you started: 100%Argon gas only, Power on, Output switch electrode Neg, Crater time off, Amp adjust-remote down, output switch - remote down, Arc control off-down, postflow 5sec,HF switch - start up. for 1/8 inch steel set to about 125amps, let her rip.

This is the same advice I was given from the fellow I bought mine from.

Terry

 

[4570Man]

4570Man that is one of the best Tig machines ever built. You can go on Miller's web site and down load the manual for it. You'll need a foot pedal, a water cooler is nice, but not really needed if you don't plan on doing much aluminum. Cool mate water cooler are very nice. Then you'll need a torch. My Miller Dynasty 300 came with a WP-20 torch, which is a water cooled torch. I've been really happy with it.

I have a foot pedal, water cooler, and torch. What is the water cooler supposed to do? My Grandpa and I need to stay away from auctions. Almost all of the equipment in both of our shops came from auctions.

 

[Shield Arc]

What is the water cooler supposed to do?

It pumps water through a hose into the torch, and back through another hose into the reservoir. This keeps the torch cool. With a water cooled torch, the torch is nice and small. An air / gas cooled torch is the size of a club! :thumbdown:

 

[Shield Arc]

I will need an AC machine (someday) anyway.

Feel like a road trip up north?
Miller Tig welder