Tig welding on the cheap.

Shield Arc · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

Shield Arc said:
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 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

Shield Arc said:
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 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

Rustyiron said:
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 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

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

k0ua · Jan 20, 2015

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

High Frequency.

Like a High Frequency pilot arc for a TIG torch, and some plasma cutters.

Shield Arc · Jan 20, 2015

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

If you really want to see a small kid's eyes get wide. Hold the Tig torch about an inch and half away from your hand, and step on the pedal. When the little lighten bolt shoots from the tungsten to your hand, watch their eyes! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::thumbsup:

Rustyiron · Jan 20, 2015

I took a class at the local community college "vo-tech" because I never was taught beyond HS shop class. We had a small section on TIG and pretty much all I did was burn up tungsten's. Using both hands and a "gas" pedal almost threw me into some kind of epileptic shock or something:laughing: But the (TIG) work that can be done in the hands of someone that know's what he's doing, pure "eye candy"! Some where (on WW) I was getting the impression that some guy's were doing some heavy (1/2"+) work with the TIG process. I'd still like to be able to "TIG" but it's practicality for my needs, basic "farmer welding" & fab seems limited. I did make a traction rig up for a bed when my buddy broke his hip, but that's another story!

k0ua · Jan 20, 2015

Here are a couple of things I repaired with TIG, that I took photos of. I have repaired many other household things. These are all small things, because when it gets big I can stick it!

Here is some chain I made for a project out of drop ceiling hanger wire.