Help with Lincoln Precision TIG 225 for S.S.

admin

I am new to TIG welding, very green, but mature and determine to learn I am glad I found this forum. I have recently purchased a used Precision 225 and I will attempt to TIG weld a .065 wall thick (I believe it is 1/16) stainless steel tubing using a Lincoln Precision TIG 225.To get the right start and save me some frustration I would appreciate some help with proper set up of the machine as for Amps, Tungsten type and size, preparation and any additional tips that can help with my attempt. The Stainless Steel is 304 and has a nice shine to it so I will also have to grind and polish the weld to make as invisible as possible but that is not expected until I have done 1,00000 of welds LOL Thanks in advance,Mac
Reply:This may help, my miller slide chart lists:1/16 tungsten, 1/4 to 3/8 cup, 1/16 filler rod, 50 - 90 amps DC, Argon at 11 cfh.Hope that helps!Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Hey Mac. I'm still very green at welding as well, especially tig. I haven't done any stainless yet, mostly mild steel and aluminum. I have the precision tig 275 and use this link for my weld settings http://www.ckworldwide.com/technical_specs.pdf  it has info on shaping your tungsten and lots of other tig pearls of wisdom. I hope that it can help you out
Reply:Also, for clear tig close up videos, go to weldingtipsandtricks.com - Jody is really good at explaining and showing proper technique. (he's on youtube too)Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:For the same material 1.625" dia, I use 1/16" tungsten, #5 cup, 10-12 cfh argon,  4T with a quick downslope ~65A (fusion) ~70-75A (w/ 1/16 308L filer). I use those settings with both my TA LT300 and my Square Wave 275 with good results. Torch switch works great for moving around out of position on small dia tube. Make sure joints are tight fitting and really clean. Tubes should be backpurged w/ argon if needed and try to leave the easiest part of the weld for last and somewhere for the hot air to escape. Hope this helps.-Rob
Reply:Originally Posted by CCFD170Hey Mac. I'm still very green at welding as well, especially tig. I haven't done any stainless yet, mostly mild steel and aluminum. I have the precision tig 275 and use this link for my weld settings http://www.ckworldwide.com/technical_specs.pdf  it has info on shaping your tungsten and lots of other tig pearls of wisdom. I hope that it can help you out
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThis may help, my miller slide chart lists:1/16 tungsten, 1/4 to 3/8 cup, 1/16 filler rod, 50 - 90 amps DC, Argon at 11 cfh.Hope that helps!Dave J.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmhe will make more holes in 1/16 then weld... 35-45 A Argon flow ~2x the cup NO.. and use the biggest cup you haveprep.. just cut clean the cuts with a dedicated SS file and but weld, no groove, no gap.depending on the purpose of the pipe/tube you should purge the inside with argon, if it's a railing or some decorative stuff no need for purging.
Reply:What is the purpose of your weldment?Are you planning to purge?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYou are likely correct - I have not welded that thin of stainless, the miller chart could be in error.  Note: rgfab242 uses 70 to 75 amps.Dave J.
Reply:Thank you all for helping with this!!Here are some pics what I am attempting to achieve.I had a local welder that used to TIG weld this crab bars for us but unfortunately he was force retirement and closed shop due to his age and health He was amazing to bad I could learn from him but I will consider hiring a welder to come to my shop and teach me if overtime and with lots of practise if fail to produce a decent weld.I could send to a pro but I am far in the country and shipping cost for oversize bars is just ridiculous, the bars are very light but sometimes are 10ft-12ft long and because of the length the freight just kills you. I have unlimited supply of 1" stainless tubing for practise so hopefully it will be a matter of mastering the knowledge and skills. Attached Images
Reply:Reminder that TIG  on steel/SS is DCEN.  If you need a manual, you can download one from here: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/asset...oln3/im895.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmlikely?
Reply:For .065 thick 304L, I like going with an .045 diameter 308L filler rod.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:I use ~70 when using filler rod, and that is working very very quickly with the tube being welded in 6 segments. For fusion welds I use ~60 still movin fast because time is money and I don't have all day to waste. I use the smaller cup because it maneuvers easily in tight spaces and since I weld in short segments I still have plenty of gas coverage. If I wasa beginner I would kick the amps down but for me, when it comes down to welding for money, I like it hot and I like it fast. I will try to weld some up before work in the morning and get em up.Pic of the torch on the T/A LT300-Rob
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveVery niceWhat is that 3rd picture?  Dave J.
Reply:Hi Dave,The 4th picture are 1" stainless tube with a screw stud welded to the ends the bottom are just fittings for the frames mounts.We fabricate marine canvas and sometimes there is some welding involved when the customer wants welded grab bars to the frames. Here is our website www.dramcastcanvas.comThanks,Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by Mac996I have unlimited supply of 1" stainless tubing for practice so hopefully it will be a matter of mastering the knowledge and skills.
Reply:Thanks DSW for the  advise that's what I am looking for; guided instructions that will help me to step up to the next level.Cheers,Mac
Reply:Take it slow and don't be in  a rush to get to the next step. The basics you learn in the beginning will be the building blocks for everything else. Tig gives you a ton of control over the weld process. Because of this it's very easy to do things without realizing it that effect your weld. Try to do everything as consistently as possible, even if it's wrong, and work on changing only one variable at a time until you understand what is happening.You will find a ton of "how to learn tig" threads here that myself and several others have contributed to. You might have a better chance narrowing your search using google or another search engine rather than the search tools here. Run some searches and then take some time to rad thru the threads and look at the attached picts. Then when you practice, post up some picts of your results along with as much detailed info as possible and guys will try to help you out. Good luck..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:Since he has a lot of stainless tube to practice with, he could do what I have done on some tubing I had. Weld across the surface of the pipe lengthwise. It helped me to find out how fast or slow I was going to melt through the piece of tubing.Just an idea,PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveOoops, I meant the last (4th pic)......Dave J.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharm@rgfab242 , you may weld 1/16 at 70 A but the OP is a beginner
Reply:That's beautiful work, but why no filler? Isn't the cross section at the weld thinner making a fusion weld?__________________
Reply:Originally Posted by zekeThat's beautiful work, but why no filler? Isn't the cross section at the weld thinner making a fusion weld?