Tig welding, easy to get the hang of ?

[90blackcrx]

Just curious, I have been welding with a stick welder for about 3 years and been mig welding for about 1 year. Also have been gas welding ( oxy ) for about 2 years.

Well if I switched to tig, how hard would it be for me to get the hang of it ?

[_TJ]

With that experience you'll have it down in a matter of hours.

[Blown 4.3]

its not as easy as you thing. and some metals are much harder than others.

[90blackcrx]

Originally Posted by Blown 4.3

its not as easy as you thing. and some metals are much harder than others.

Was that towards me ? I never thought it was easy

[Markopolo]

My opinion on Heliarc (the younger generation call it T.I.G.....but that's OK):

You need to learn how to gas-weld VERY WELL ! If you can gas-weld good, Heliarc shouldn't be too hard to get accustomed to.

I'm still in the "learning stage", but I can give you this "rule-of-thumb":

#1 - Try very hard NOT to "dip" the tungsten in the puddle
#2 - Sharpen the tungstens correctly....(sharp for steel, a little more blunt for aluminum).
#3 - Use straight Argon......20 c.f.h.
#4 - Try a "gas-lens"......(they DO make a difference)
#5 - Try very hard NOT to "touch" the tungsten with the filler rod.
.......and I could probably give you 10 more...........

.....Like I said....I'm still in the "learning-stage".....BUT.....from what I've seen so far, Heliarc is really awesome in the hands of an experienced operator !

[90blackcrx]

The main problem I have with oxy welding is I get the metal to hot and burn holes in it. Or the popping of the torch, but the torch I use to weld on was not mine and I don't think the guy ever kept it clean

[Markopolo]

Originally Posted by 90blackcrx

The main problem I have with oxy welding is I get the metal to hot and burn holes in it. Or the popping of the torch, but the torch I use to weld on was not mine and I don't think the guy ever kept it clean

Two things:

#1 - There will be no "popping" with heliarc.
#2 - You (should) have a foot control to adjust the heat.......

....Now let me say this about that.....(foot control)......
There ARE weldors out there that can weld without a foot control, and they are among the best of the best.....HOWEVER.....If you're learning......a "gas-pedal" will cause you to have a lot less frustration !

For what it's worth.......When I started, I had a tendency to "pull" the torch away from the work (like I would when gas welding) to lower the heat.....

DON'T DO IT !......Keep the tip of that tungsten as close as you can to the work (without touching), and control your heat with the pedal !

It DAMN SURE takes some getting used to.....but if I can do it.....ANYONE CAN ! ! !

[90blackcrx]

Reminds me of when I first learned how to drive a manual transmission. After you get the hang of the pedal, it will come natural and you won't even have to think about it.

Anyways I know there is no popping with tig, ( I know that much ) . So does the tungsten ever where down, like how often do you need to replace them. And whats the other thing that you hold called ?

[Markopolo]

Originally Posted by 90blackcrx

Reminds me of when I first learned how to drive a manual transmission. After you get the hang of the pedal, it will come natural and you won't even have to think about it.

Anyways I know there is no popping with tig, ( I know that much ) . So does the tungsten ever where down, like how often do you need to replace them. And whats the other thing that you hold called ?

The tungsten will need to be dressed a lot more while you are learning, because you WILL "dip" it, you WILL "stab" it, and if you're like me, you might just try to see how much it will "take"....(yup, you'll melt it).

The better you get, the less you'll have to sharpen it.

That "other" thing you hold is called "filler rod"......just like gas welding.

[kraquen]

a friend of mine has a titanium wheelchair, the welds on it must have been done tig, and they look incredible..