Scratch-Start TIG

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Hello, I've been thinking about investing in a good scratch-start TIG setup. I have a Hobart Stickmate arc welder and a bottle of 100% Argon gas. Can anyone connect me with a good deal on a TIG Torch and power block to attach the electrode clamp to the TIG torch. Also, what kinds of metals can I weld With a scratch-start? Would a foot pedal be worth it to build? What are the benefits of a foot pedal?Thanks,Logan"I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:With a Stickmate a pedal really isn't an option. You won't be able to easily change the amperage while welding on that type of machine. I wouldn't worry about the "advantages" of a pedal right now since that's not an option for you. If you were thinking about a dedicated tig, then that might be an option. As far as a torch, You could use just about any air cooled tig torch. The CK torches have a higher duty cycle rating than many others. That's not that big of a deal if you go with a 17 size torch, However the 9 size CK torches have almost the same amp rating and duty cycle of the "normal" 17 size torches but are much more compact. Whoever you order from can get you the power block to attach to your torch.As far as what you can weld, stainless and steel are the ones most guys do. You could also do some tig brazing..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:AC/DC Stickmate?
Reply:It is an AC/DC Stickmate."I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:I am in the same boat as you. I ordered this to go with my stickmate. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I also ordered a CK stubby gas lens from HTP. There is no option to add a foot pedal to a stickmate, unless it is a simple on/off switch like Jody made (weldingtipsandtricks.com).it is crude and you don't have any real control over the heat while you are welding. But it works and you can get a lot of seat time for cheap.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I made up an on off switch for my scratch start, just got a knife switch off ebay, put it in the ground circuit. Saves lifting away to break the arc and losing the gas envelope.
Reply:Once you learn to scratch start tig, you learn to quickly snap the torch away to break the arc and quickly bring the torch back over the weld for post flow gas coverage. You don't loose gas coverage long enough to be detrimental to the weld.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Was thinking of utilizing that knife switch design from JodyI recently got an 84 truck that's a gem... 52000 orig. Miles.... Orig. Paint on frame... And most of the rust has already been remedied, some with welding and the rest with some fiberglass/rosin patches. I plan to keep the ones on the wheel well and go along removing and replacing damaged patches on the outside with steel. I have roughly 16 ga. galv. Steel... Will that suffice for auto body?? I have proper ventalation/ safelty equiptment"I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:Originally Posted by SprockmonsterWas thinking of utilizing that knife switch design from JodyI recently got an 84 truck that's a gem... 52000 orig. Miles.... Orig. Paint on frame... And most of the rust has already been remedied, some with welding and the rest with some fiberglass/rosin patches. I plan to keep the ones on the wheel well and go along removing and replacing damaged patches on the outside with steel. I have roughly 16 ga. galv. Steel... Will that suffice for auto body?? I have proper ventalation/ safelty equiptment
Reply:Welding galvanized steel is a health risk. the fumes are toxic. I agree with Joe, I wouldn't do it.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Also, speaking as someone who has a lot of recent experience with scratch start TIG, I am not sure the knife switch adds that much value. Even through you are addressing the need to post arc shield the weld bead, it doesn't solve the problem of the craters you will create at the end of the bead. I think a better answer, or another part of the answer is to use a copper plate as a run off tab. This solves the post weld shielding issue as well as the crater issue.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Yeah, I watched Jody's video on the cooper welding spoon. Thinking of making that huge investment @ hf"I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:Copper welding spoon"I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:He posted that video because I posted the question on his forum    those weld beads at the beginning of that video were mineMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:NiceI'm wondering if a scratch start setup will still be better at automotive body work (and maybe exhaust down the road) than flux core or mig because I can control (not with foot pedal, but with the infinite control of amperage vs. The 7 or so choices I have with the 180) heat input and filler metal better. Is this true?"I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:Mig is King with bodywork.  There's a lot of times that the position you're welding in or the space doesn't lend well to feeding filler rod with tig.  Think about doing a floor pan with a tig torch.  It would be really tough to add filler and keep the torch in proper position in many areas.  Mig is like a metal caulking gun.
Reply:Agree with Al, my paesano. You never see a body shop or muffler shop without a MIG. There has to be a reason for that. With 0.023 MIG wire you can dial the heat way down.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Mig it's deffinately easier and quicker... But I have done plenty of exhaust work with a scratch start tig, once you learn the fundamentals you can weld just about anything you want with the exception of aluminum (unless you buy a hi freq unit to put in line). Scratch start will really hone your skills on HEAT control.Welding city.com has complete set ups for scratch start torches pretty cheap. I use the wp 17 fLex head with gas valve. It comes with the power block, you just need a gas line and regulator for argon.http://www.weldingcity.com/tig-compl...-shipping.htmlI would stay away from galvanized for tig applications, there's tons of contamination, you will be grinding tungsten tips all day long! Standard sheet metal is a breeze after a little practice. I would suggest 3/32 or .040 tungsten with er70s-2 filler the same size 3/32-.040Hope this helps you a little! If you have the welder and argon already you will be welding for under $150 setup costLast edited by Dantheharleyman99; 08-09-2014 at 12:27 PM.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Hey Sprockmonster, since you are in CT and since I already bought a TIG welder, I would be willing to sell you my wp-17FV torch set up with argon regulator. I have the power block, some 1/16th tungstens, some collets and collet bodies I would throw in. I am thinking $100 for the whole mess. Let me know if you are interested. I could meet you half way at the Southbury Plaza some evening this week if you are interested.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Is anyone familiar with the capabilities of the Hobart Stickmate 235 ac/dc, more specifically in the practical low end. It says DC maxes out at 165 amps, and lowest at 40 or 30 amps, but I don"t know how it performs at such extremes. Also, how thin may I be able to weld with however low the machine will go?What type of torch should I get for use with this machine? I have plenty of 1/8" mild steel, some thinner (16 ga.) stainless sheet metal, and other scraps ranging from 3/8" to 3/4" that I can weld. Thanks."I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash
Reply:Just to give you an idea... I have welded razor blades together with scratch start at 20 amps. It's all about your speed! Also 165 amps D/C is a good amount of power to work with, you will probably spend most of your time between 35 and 120 amps D/C. I have no experience with the Hobart stick mate, but I know they make decent welders for the price.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Would it be novel of me to get and 26fv torch instead of a 17fv torch in order to keep it cooler, or will the 17 have a high-enough duty cycle @165 amps (as the max. I will be able to run)."I thank God for all the freedoms we've got in this country, I cherish even the right to burn the flag, but I'll tell you what, we've also got the right to bear arms and if you burn my flag I'll shoot you"-Johnny Cash