dr_clyde
Well-known member
You're looking really hot. You should check out t Jody at welding tips and tricks on YouTube. He has some great videos for TIG beginners.
TIG newbie
- Thread starter PoorOwner
- Start date
You're looking really hot. You should check out t Jody at welding tips and tricks on YouTube. He has some great videos for TIG beginners.
matt_i
Well-known member
Not suggesting I'm right at all, just what I learned, which was pre-internet 
the stopping creates a pool that overlaps the one you just finished right behind it.
You can see the undercut on my bottom fillet weld, should have been pushing faster with the filler rod...
the stopping creates a pool that overlaps the one you just finished right behind it.
You can see the undercut on my bottom fillet weld, should have been pushing faster with the filler rod...
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Probably sooner than later, you will want a TIG grinder.
Tungsten Grinders for TIG Welding
Sharpening Tungsten 9 Different Ways
Tungsten Grind Angles Matter!
Tungsten Grinders for TIG Welding
Sharpening Tungsten 9 Different Ways
Tungsten Grind Angles Matter!
I think I am happy with the middle 3. The first one I cannot see the edge.
Then the next 3 I used my hand to glide along the table edge to get a straight bead.
The last one the rod was too short and I didn’t fill enough and went back to fill it again.
Then the next 3 I used my hand to glide along the table edge to get a straight bead.
The last one the rod was too short and I didn’t fill enough and went back to fill it again.
Attachments
Tinner
Well-known member
You're getting there now.
Not suggesting I'm right at all, just what I learned, which was pre-internet
You can see the undercut on my bottom fillet weld, should have been pushing faster with the filler rod...
Hi, how do you do this? I tried but cannot get the "stacked" look at least not that prominent... I fill the rod from above, shoved from lower edge etc, tried to have different torch angle.
Is it more distance between fills?
matt_i
Well-known member
Im not 100% sure but one thing I've seen teaching others is they sometimes place the work parallel with their chest, and then lay the torch over (rotate around its handle) in order to see the puddle and filler rod better. But, it gives a long arc that's hard to control and is not very focused.
So what I do is set the workpiece on the bench at say a 45 degree angle to my chest, really whatever feels comfortable to you, I'm right handed so the right side is farther away and I'm welding towards my chest. Now I can look down the valley to see what's happening and I can get the tungsten more normal to where I'm striking the arc.
So what I do is set the workpiece on the bench at say a 45 degree angle to my chest, really whatever feels comfortable to you, I'm right handed so the right side is farther away and I'm welding towards my chest. Now I can look down the valley to see what's happening and I can get the tungsten more normal to where I'm striking the arc.
I did some angle this afternoon.
It was much harder than I thought. Holding the torch is different, i had the arc wander and spraying everywhere. Dropping turds if not careful. I lucked out on the short one which was the first one I did. The other I did an inch at a time.
It was parallel to me and not able to see the arc length that way. Need to try welding towards myself. The stacked appearance is there as long as no screw ups. I didn’t try to use the cup to help or lay wire just trying the hard way.
It was much harder than I thought. Holding the torch is different, i had the arc wander and spraying everywhere. Dropping turds if not careful. I lucked out on the short one which was the first one I did. The other I did an inch at a time.
It was parallel to me and not able to see the arc length that way. Need to try welding towards myself. The stacked appearance is there as long as no screw ups. I didn’t try to use the cup to help or lay wire just trying the hard way.
Attachments
matt_i
Well-known member
There you go, the basics are there now. Its just going to take more practice. Keeping the tungsten sharp and not contaminated will help focus the arc as will more pedal (more energy). Also keeping the arc short and not dipped is the skill you will need to build so you don't even have to think about it any more. Dont be afraid to hold the arc longer in one spot, it just helps fusion by melting wider and deeper in low carbon steels.
My advice is to just do a couple inches per day, rather than long marathon sessions where you can get physically and mentally fatigued.
My advice is to just do a couple inches per day, rather than long marathon sessions where you can get physically and mentally fatigued.
Got thicker gloves with kevlar lining, it's a little stiffer but less heat got to the fingers.
Tig finger. Self explanatory.
I kept getting flashed starting the arc, so bought a new helmet.
Worked on arc length and checking the HAZ.
I found this video is helpful explaining if the steel looks dull.
I tried to up the amps to 125, moved fast, adding more filler rod, still too hot and was cutting into the metal. I think when I grinded the millscale on both side the metal got a bit thinner than the original 1/8".
Settled at 95 amps and still have shiny bead. I know from MIG welding just running beads on a flat plate tend to just set amps lower, but when really doing lap or fillet the heat needs to be cranked up because there are now 2 pieces or metal.
Tig finger. Self explanatory.
I kept getting flashed starting the arc, so bought a new helmet.
Worked on arc length and checking the HAZ.
I found this video is helpful explaining if the steel looks dull.
I tried to up the amps to 125, moved fast, adding more filler rod, still too hot and was cutting into the metal. I think when I grinded the millscale on both side the metal got a bit thinner than the original 1/8".
Settled at 95 amps and still have shiny bead. I know from MIG welding just running beads on a flat plate tend to just set amps lower, but when really doing lap or fillet the heat needs to be cranked up because there are now 2 pieces or metal.
Attachments
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sqznby
Well-known member
That was a great video.
Remember what he said about arc length. You want to be as close to the material as possible, 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch away. The further you get the wider the arc the longer it will take to heat and your haz will show. Look at the last 30 seconds of the video.
That is a common issue with when learning how to tig. Practice with small beads and short runs. No need to run a 6 inch long bead at first. Get comfortable to. Start with tacks, get familiar with your puddle and where its going to form.
Remember what he said about arc length. You want to be as close to the material as possible, 1/16 to 3/32 of an inch away. The further you get the wider the arc the longer it will take to heat and your haz will show. Look at the last 30 seconds of the video.
That is a common issue with when learning how to tig. Practice with small beads and short runs. No need to run a 6 inch long bead at first. Get comfortable to. Start with tacks, get familiar with your puddle and where its going to form.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
If you haven't already, dive in to Jody's videos.
Here is a good one for TIG beginners.
I've met Jody, he's an outstanding advocate for welding education and a super humble, nice guy.
He's got over 10 years worth of great videos on youtube about welding, and they all have some good nuggets in them.
Here is a good one for TIG beginners.
I've met Jody, he's an outstanding advocate for welding education and a super humble, nice guy.
He's got over 10 years worth of great videos on youtube about welding, and they all have some good nuggets in them.
Yes I will try to watch Jody’s videos. In my opinion fascinating even before I started welding I watched them, but I was not able to pick up much because it goes from showing a puddle then next thing he’s welding a space rocket or something.
By the way I can see a bit of light reflected into the helmet’s lower area if there is a gap between the helmets bottom and my shirt. is this concern for UV?
Wear black?
The arc time for tig is so much longer than other welding process.
Wear black?
The arc time for tig is so much longer than other welding process.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
If there is bare skin exposed it will get a sunburn. For TIG up to about 150 amps I find just a T-shirt with long sleeves is sufficient, and I burn easily. Anything above 150 amps I will put on a denim shirt or a light welding jacket.
Edit, If the light reflecting off your shirt is bothering you, you can get a flag of leather that attaches to the bottom of your helmet and that should solve that. I've never had it be a problem. I would also be sure you're wearing safety glasses for this very reason. Again, I've never had it be a problem.
sqznby
Well-known member
If you Google "welding helmet accessories" you will find there are quite a few options to help with the reflection. One item that is popular are neck guards.
Here's an example of one https://www.weldersupply.com/P/1303/MillerDigitalInfinityWel
And some options. They can also be hand made to your liking quite easily.
https://www.angstu.com/which-are-the-best-welding-helmet-neck-guards-available-in-2019/