Learning to weld on a TIG welder

admin

I build robots as a hobby. They run between 30 and 150 pounds in weight. I’d like to use welded square thin wall aluminum tubing for the chassis but I don’t know how to weld. I also expect to weld various 6061 aluminum brackets out of sheet metal –nothing thicker than 1/8”. From my research, it looks like a TIG welder is recommended but everyone appears to learn MIG welding before TIG welding because TIG welding is more difficult.Can I learn to weld on a TIG welder by starting with steel TIG welding and moving on to aluminum? Or, should I buy a cheap MIG welder on CL to start and sell it off once I learn MIG welding and am ready for a TIG welder?I’m open to welding classes but I live in Chicago and the only welding classes I can find are at the local community college. They are during the day and intended to train professional welders. Since I’m not planning on changing careers, I expect I’ll teach myself from YouTube videos and simple trial and error.Thanks for the advice.
Reply:It's not that hard to learn how.   It takes a lot of practice  to be good at it. Lots of videos on YouTube including mine.I am self-taught also.From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:MIG and TIG are quite different. Get the TIG and start practicing.
Reply:Go with tig for what you ant to do.Yes many feel it's easier to start and learn tig on steel 1st and then move on to alum once you have the basics down cold.I've done any number of how to learn tig threads here in the past. If you can't find any of them let me know and I'll try and dig u a few for you to browse thru. There was a fairly decent thread just recently on alum tig started by Aluminumwelder. Lost of guys put in some good info in that thread and there have been dozens of other good "how to tig" threads here as well. Sit back and read thru a bunch of the older threads for a bit when you get the opportunity..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:Forget the mig, I had a mig and did nothing for me except make large metal projects. I ended up selling it after a couple of projects. I should have just put that time and money into Tig welding as I am really enjoying the cleanliness of Tig welding. IMHO if you plan on making a lot of aluminum things get a Tig that can do aluminum. It does take a lot of practice but there is no going back. +1 online videos help me a lot... also self taught.
Reply:MIG won't help you at all, i work in a fabrication shop with a bunch of good TIG welders guys and the most i learn was on youtube, here and by myself during lunch break, so if you can afford the machine there is no problems about learning yourself, there is a lot of workers in the industry who have learned by themself!Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:Originally Posted by kevinacaronIt's not that hard to learn how.   It takes a lot of practice  to be good at it. Lots of videos on YouTube including mine.I am self-taught also.
Reply:When I took some welding classes locally, I started Tig'ing on Aluminum.  The instructor said, "if you can Tig Aluminum you can Tig anything".   I like the way Alum. flows when you weld and to me, it's almost easier to weld than Steel.Of course practicing for 8 weeks straight on Aluminum made me comfortable with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by CGCINCWhen I took some welding classes locally, I started Tig'ing on Aluminum.  The instructor said, "if you can Tig Aluminum you can Tig anything".   I like the way Alum. flows when you weld and to me, it's almost easier to weld than Steel.Of course practicing for 8 weeks straight on Aluminum made me comfortable with it.
Reply:As long as you're willing to invest the machine time, argon, scrap metal, tungstens filler rod, prep work, etc,  you can learn TIG on your own.  I learned on my own with a harbor freight TIG,  and then with an eastwood TIG200---not the greatest machines ever, but you can definite get a lot out of them if you put the effort into increasing your skill.
Reply:You probably already figured this out, but you will need AC output to TIG weld Aluminum.  Many TIG welders are DC only.Start looking for a used Syncrowave 180 or 200, I have owned both, both are good, will do everything you described and more, including stick welding, very handy on thicker steel.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:""It's not that hard to learn how. It takes a lot of practice to be good at it. Lots of videos on YouTube including mine.I am self-taught also. __________________From the desk of Kevin Caron""I am new to the forum.Good to see you here Kevin.Been watching your vids for quite some time,
Reply:[QUOTE=LV Design;1950981]""It's not that hard to learn how. It takes a lot of practice to be good at it. Lots of videos on YouTube including mine.I am self-taught also. __________________From the desk of Kevin Caron""I am new to the forum.Good to see you here Kevin.Been watching your vids for quite some time,