Tig welding on the cheap.

[Shield Arc]

For any of you members who would like to know how easy, and cheap it is to get set up to Tig weld using your stick welder. Here is a link to a sticky over on WeldingWeb. TozzieWelding does a really good job of explaining how easy it is. For The Can I TIG With My Welder People.

All you need is a air cooled scratch start Tig torch, with cup, collet, collet body, and tungsten. Flow meter, with short section of hose, bottle of Argon. Power lug.

Ebay has some really good deal on this equipment.
TIG Torch SR 17V 25R 150Amp Air Cooled | eBay
HTP Argon CO2 MIG TIG Flow Meter Regulator Welding Weld | eBay

X-ray quality welds are made every day with these Tig rigs!

 

[k0ua]

Been doing it for a while now. Sometimes I lust after a real TIG rig with HF start and a pedal (especially the pedal), but I mainly use TIG to repair things, and I am getting by with just my PA 160 and a 17V torch from northern tool and a flea bay regulator. Argon bottle bought locally and you are in business. When I see that professional's still sometimes use rigs like this, I don't feel so bad. Tig on the cheap can still be very useful if you already have the DC stick welder, especially one where you have fine control of the current.

Just don't forget to turn on the argon valve before you strike the arc!

 

[Shield Arc]

You can even weld aluminum with a Tig rig. But you can only make short welds, when the metal heats up no way to back off the amps. But it does work in a pinch.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

You can even weld aluminum with a Tig rig. But you can only make short welds, when the metal heats up no way to back off the amps. But it does work in a pinch.

Is your pic of DC- with Helium, or with AC and argon?

I started out tig welding about 3-4 years ago with just the stinger clamped on the tig torch like Shield Arc's post #1.

Then I bought a Miller High Freq spark box to do aluminum on AC, but no foot control and no on/off control.

Then I bought the big Airco tig with foot control - on aluminum (and steel less than 1/8") I like the foot control too much to go back to the spark box.

Now I have a few DC tigs as well as the Airco...it's a sickness :laughing::thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

DC- with helium.
Dave wasn't there a thread on WeldingWeb where someone was saying you can weld aluminum with DC- with argon. But it has a very small window where the arc will start? Seems as I remember you were involved in that discussion. :confused3:

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

DC- with helium.
Dave wasn't there a thread on WeldingWeb where someone was saying you can weld aluminum with DC- with argon. But it has a very small window where the arc will start? Seems as I remember you were involved in that discussion. :confused3:

Yep, I've done it, but on DC+ (not DC-) but the tungsten heats up super fast, so an 1/8" tungsten will only let me weld about 1/16" thick aluminum without blowing up

Trying it on DC- was an exercise in frustration btw - for me anyway.

 

[Rustyiron]

I "drop in" on WW and am I wrong about TIG being only for lighter metals? Some of the posters there seem to be pretty brutal with the "not in the trade" newbie. I recognize both of you over there, and SA, your using my old avatar, it was eventually "too racy" for TBN.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I "drop in" on WW and am I wrong about TIG being only for lighter metals? Some of the posters there seem to be pretty brutal with the "not in the trade" newbie. I recognize both of you over there, and SA, your using my old avatar, it was eventually "too racy" for TBN.

I suppose that depends on your definition of lighter metal?

If I'm after looks along with a solid weld, nothing wrong with tig for heavy metal - just slower.

I have a project coming up for a decorative iron piece for an indoor space - thicknesses likely will be up to 3/16" thick, a few 1/2", and will all be tig welded for looks.

Yesterday I was repairing an aluminum casting with one section about 3/8" thick.

But, I still really like stick welding for dirty, heavy, nasty iron

 

[Shield Arc]

Tig works fantastic for thin material, I don't really know if there is a thickness limit or not. Seems like at one time somewhere I had to Tig weld 3/4-inch thick aluminum. I guess it gets down to if your hand can take the heat, and the machine has enough horse power.:laughing:
I quick look at Miller's calculator, it says you can Tig weld aluminum up to 1/2-inch thick.


Yeah WW is a little more forgiven than here. The mods on WW rule with an iron fist, but they let a lot of other things slide right by.

 

[MossRoad]

So I take it HF start does not refer to Harbor Freight?