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Hey guys,First off, I want to thank you in advance for the knowledge sharing available on this site.I just ordered my new Thermal Arc Arcmaster 185 TIG welder from Indiana Oxygen, which is my first TIG. I already have an argon bottle (hooked to my spoolgun at the moment) and I've ordered a nice assorment of tungstens in sizes from .040" - 1/8". I'm not sure what collets or cups come with the machine so I haven't bought any extras yet.I'll be welding aluminum, stainless, and mild steel.I have no idea when I'll need to consider changing cup size, although there are charts in the manual about what size tungsten to use based on material thickness and estimated current settings. What cups should I have on hand, and how do I know when I'm using the wrong one? What other consumables/accessories etc. should I consider having on hand?Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:A way to grind the tungsten. If you grind tungsens and tools for your lathe on the same wheel, then you will be redressing that wheel more frequently.
Reply:Can I dress (or buy a new wheel) for one of the hopelessly underpowered bench grinders I've inherited? They're useless for real work. That was what I was hoping to use, and I can certainly dedicate them to doing nothing but grinding tungstens. Would that do the job OK?Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:An underpowered grinder will work just great....make sure you use a dedicated wheel as stated previously. I have found that a finer grit wheel does a nicer job dressing the tungsten. As far as collets and cups go: you will need the proper sized collet & collet body to match the diameter of tungsten that you use....I.E. 1/16 tungsten = 1/16 collet/collet body. And you are correct about cups...there are charts telling you what size cup to use based on the application. Some literature will tell you that smaller diameter cups will tend to "block or disturb" the laminar flow of gas from the torch head, thus causing improper shielding of the weld from the atmosphere....However, I like to see my welds (especially when I am welding narrow obstructed joints) so I typically use smaller cups (I believe I have a #5 on my torch right now). But I have been known to follow the manufacturers specifications and therefore I do use larger cups (#8 +), especially when I am welding unobstructed butt joints.....basically I feel as though it comes down to what you feel comfortable with...be the judge off what combination gives you the best results.Hope I helped out....Good luck ! -Graham-Mechanical EngineerAutosport Mechanic/Fabricator
Reply:Your TA will come with a starter set for the torch. If you have the gas, a hood and standard welder outlet you are good to go. 3/32 tungsten and #6 cup will cover most things. For low amp work you can use the 1/16 tungsten and for the high end you might want to go with the 1/8. I did convert over to gas lenses but that was just because that's what we used @ vo-tech. Curious as to which back cap comes with yours. I received the long one but have heard of others getting the medium length. Just a suggestion on grinding is to chuck the tungsten in a drill and spin it slowly. This will give you a good point. If you are just starting out pick up 2 or 3 more tungstens break them in half and grind a point on both ends. This will give you several and you won't have to stop and regrind every time you dip the electrode. To break the tungstens just file or grind a nick in the center and snap it in two just as you would a glass tube.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:You need some filler wire Try ER70S2, ER4043, and some 308, in sizes from 1/16 to 1/8, maybe some .040" if you want to weld something really thin. You can use .035 mig wire too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I haven't found a source for .040 unless I'm willing to buy 10 lbs. Seems there was a law suit so now somw LWS won't break a box. .035 mig wire is a fair substitute.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Just get another argon bottle for the tig machine. You don't want to be switching it back and forth.
Reply:I would recommend gas lens collet bodies for your torch...-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at www.JoeWelder.comall powered by www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by CarmenElectrodeI would recommend gas lens collet bodies for your torch...
Reply:Not sure I'm understanding your question...The gas lens collet body would be instead of the regular collet body.Some guys always use a gas lens collet body for the improved flow of gas over the weld zone. You get less turbulence, and so ambient contaminants aren't as likely to get sucked into your weld...Either way you'll need an appropriate cup / nozzleDo you know which torch comes with your new machine?Check out this article:http://www.thefabricator.com/ArcWeld...le.cfm?ID=1446Hope that helps.Last edited by CarmenElectrode; 01-31-2008 at 08:26 PM.-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at www.JoeWelder.comall powered by www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:PS: another good article:http://www.thefabricator.com/ArcWeld...le.cfm?ID=1531-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at www.JoeWelder.comall powered by www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:You will want a water cooled torch once you have used one, but that is not a required item.The grinder is an item you will need, I was bummed to find that new tungstens don't come pointed out of the box After looking online for tungsten grinders I did not want to spend $250 min to use it! So I went and spent $39 at Home Depot for this:http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100004767It works well and is small.Me!
Reply:I have the Arcmaster-185. You are going to love it. It does everything it sez and more. To start the tig arc it uses a spark like generated from your car coil. It will jump a long way and is not high frequency. I have used mine A LOT. It will come with one tungsten or one of each size. Mine did. Enjoy it!Show us pics of your work.DavidReal world weldin. When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:OK, that was very educational- gas lenses were not what I thought they were. Where are the best places to shop for such upgrades? I bought a LOT of Tungstens from aglevtech.com, but they don't list them and IOC seems kind of pricey on things like this- and Cyberweld is even worse.I see that McMaster-Carr even has them, and I've had luck getting quality stuff from them but their prices are often a bit steep too on this kind of thing.The local welding supply would be my first choice but their hours make it impossible for me to get much from them due to my working hours, so unless I want to take vacation time shopping on the internet is much more practical for smaller items.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:UPDATE: I looked back over McMaster-Carr's prices, and they seemed more resonable since I don't have to buy 10 packs of nozzles. I picked up a gas lens for my 17 size torch in each tungsten size.I'm checking into the water cooled torch too. Indiana Oxygen told me which kit fits the Arcmaster welder, and I'll keep it in mind as I try out the welder- it's due to arrive tomorrow (Friday) but we're getting quite a snow storm at the moment, so we'll see if UPS is able to get it here by the scheduled time or not.The torch that comes with this welder is the size 17 150A air cooled model. I figured I'd need the air cooled torch whenever I need it away from the home garage, and I can add the water cooled setup soon. I'm told that it's a lot easier to use the water cooled torch so I'll consider it while I'm using the welder for the first few times. I'll consider the dedicated argon bottle too.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:Don't worry too much about the water cooled rig. You will spend more time changing and grinding tungsten till you get the hang of it. I don't know what size your mig bottle is but you will want one of the larger sizes for tig. Seems the pre and post flows add to the usage.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:125 CF. It's the biggest one I can buy locally.I'm hoping to buy a bigger one the next time I visit my folks in Kansas City (the local farm supply has 250CF bottles of argon/CO2 mix, which I'll just use up with my MIG and refill with argon next time).I was originally considering a Dynasty 200, but I figured when I settled on this Thermal Arc machine (thanks to recommendations on this forum, including from David R- Thanks David!!!) that I saved enough to buy a water cooled setup if I decided I wanted one, plus a nice 9" Milwaukee grinder and some more practice materials.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:Welding depot.com has all the stuff for your torch. Cheap too.Have fun with that thing and show us what it (you) can do.DavidReal world weldin. When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RWelding depot.com has all the stuff for your torch. Cheap too.Have fun with that thing and show us what it (you) can do.David
Reply:No comment till the avitar is changedDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Done.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:When I first bought the tig welder, I got an inert-gas 'Y-valve' that attatches to the regulator for my 300 cf argon bottle so I could use it on both the mig and the tig without changing hoses and regulators. All that's needed to change machines is close the valve to the one hose and open the valve to the other hose and adjust the regulator. It didn't cost much either, though I forget now how much it was. Only thing about sharing one bottle for two machines is, if the two machines are not together on the same cart, you have to remember that the hoses are both connected to the same bottle, so don't go yanking out one of the machines without first disconnecting the hose! I have a set of inert-gas quick disconnect fittings that make removing and replacing gas hoses a breeze. I use them on the welding truck too cause I put the mig welder away in the tool box after each use so the gas hose must be disconnected each time. The quick disconnects work great and don't cost that much money (about $25 for a male/female set, plus adapter fittings, if needed).Last edited by DesertRider33; 02-02-2008 at 01:45 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:OK, please don't laugh. Of course I suck, but here are pictures of my first attempt with the new TIG welder.They're all crap becuase I have no skill with TIG yet, but a few of them were getting used to setting up the machine- half way through I figured out that the foot pedal was not controlling heat, and I corrected the switch setting that enables the foot control to do its job.I tried adding a few more pieces to keep it interesting...I think I'm going to like this machine! I have to learn to stop jerking the torch away from the workpiece when I'm done with the bead (too many years with the stick welder and oxy/acetylene torch I guess). I also have yet to figure out how I should hold the torch, which direction I should travel, and technique for adding filler. If I should be adding heat from the leading edge of the puddle and add filler from the trailing edge, I'll have to travel from left to right I guess. Is this right?I wish I had a good way to take video to get tips!Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC, Millermatic 252 & 30A spoolgun, Thermal Arc 185 TIG, Miller BWESmith Oxy-AcBridgeport 2J , South Bend 42" 9AHusky 7.5 HP 22.3 CFM 80 gal compressor
Reply:Hold the torch like an oversize pencil..I like to weld twards myself..Push the puddle don't drag it..Try adding filler from the side rather than head on..You "have it" somewhat..Seat time is invaluable.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.Burn more wire! You will learn to make straight beads especially if its hard to find practice plate or you buy it. It gives you more room to weld. Try backing off the heat when you get near an edge or the end of weld. OR weld from the edge to the inside.Looking good. A couple of times I put a hall effect amp meter on mine and it will put out a true 200 amps on DC tig. The meter on the machine reads higher than its set. MY Meter reads higher yet. I have seen 194 amps on the display when hooked to a 50 amp circuit set to 185.I am building a cart for mine and the water cooler right now. Since its a tig cart, all welds are tigged in the position they are in. You don't NEED the water cooler until you decide or realize how much you are using the machine. DavidReal world weldin. When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor. |
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发表于 2021-9-1 00:02:57