Small precision welding (TIG)

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Hi, I plan to build some 1:8 scalemodels of constructionmaschines. I will build them from mild steel sheets, 1/16 to 1/8 thickness. I want the welds to look realistic. With my MIG welder it gets to hot..and difficult to make such small even welds...I've attached a sketch that gives one an idea of the weldsize. Is it possible to make such welds with TIG equipment? What size tungsten rod? Filler rod? Or maybe silversolder would be better? I would be happy to get some advice here..RegardsOs Attached ImagesUCR001-RULLER.pdf (10.6 KB, 163 views)
Reply:I'm getting ready to build an enclosure for a CNC mill out of 1/16" sheetmetal.  According to what I've read, you use 1/16" tungsten with a 1/16" filler material.  I'm assuming you'd use about 60amp while welding.Just to let you know, all of that is from what I've been reading.  I'm new to TIG welding and haven't welded anything that thin yet but it should work.HTH,Craig
Reply:Tig works great for thin sheet like this- but it takes some practice. Small tungstens, and low amps. I sometimes use tungstens even smaller than 1/16"- 040, for example. A foot pedal is a must.Pulsed welders are even better for thin sheet.For this kind of thing, the most expensive tig welder you can get is gonna be the best, and easiest. A $7000 Miller Aerowave would be great!And sometimes, you tig braze with a silicon bronze (everdur) filler rod, so you can put even less heat into the metal.Unless you are a natural, though, you might want to take a class in tig at your local vo-tech or community college.
Reply:Hi, thanks. Well, I was thinking about a Lincoln V160-T Pulsed, as a start....I see it's possible to attach a pedal to this also. Anyone got experience with this? Guess I will not produce welds like this 'overnight'....defently need to take a class, oh yeah. I would be very interesting to learn makeing nice TIG welds.
Reply:Silver will work, but I am not sure if it will look like a weld because of how it spreads on the surface.There are smaller, less expensive tig machines that will work well, but are more limited for larger stuff.  Depends on what you are planning besides these projects.   But...You should be able to do exactly what you're talking about with that welder.  I am not familiar with it specifically, but I have seen what welders in this class are able to do, and for precision work, they apparently work great.  You will want lots of practice before tackling your first real project.  Just collect up a bunch of metal of simiar thickness and start running you standard array of beads, just much smaller in size.  You probably want to use mig wire as filler if you want that "welded with filler" look, or use no filler at all if the look suits you better.  You might look into one of the micro tig torches, that looks like a pencil.  I hear they work really well in these kinds of applications and give you a lot of control, because you are already used to the feel.  Make sure to post pictures of your projects.  I love scale models.  When I was a kid, I was always playing with and breaking my brother's models.Last edited by smithboy; 10-06-2005 at 11:06 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:With enough practice you can weld just about anything with tig. 1/16th should be no problem to a skilled tig welder. To a beginer....look out. Its thing man  1/8th filler rod dune bugy I made:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/P2160082.jpg1/8th filler rod main boady, 1/16th legs, 0.035 wire tail scropian:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/P4010008.jpgGood luck and work your way down from the thick stuff to the thin stuff.
Reply:Originally Posted by RiesTig works great for thin sheet like this- but it takes some practice. Small tungstens, and low amps. I sometimes use tungstens even smaller than 1/16"- 040, for example. A foot pedal is a must.Pulsed welders are even better for thin sheet.
Reply:If you are intending to do precision work, you probably need one.  All it does is allow you to control the amps as you weld (and hot starts on some units).  On thick material you can use one to make your life a bit easier and welds a bit nicer...especially at the beginning and end of the weld...but on thinner stuff is where it's true value is realized.  You can stomp down to get a nice quick puddle and then pull back to a nice traveling heat, and then at the end let up more, so you dont overheat the edge of the metal and get...well...a big hole were the edge used to be.  I do mostly aluminum with tig and then mainly pretty thick stuff, or at least nothing that needs too much precision when controlling the heat.  I dont use a foot pedal, but I do have a hand control that serves a similar purpose (just lower price and less convenience).Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:What would you guys recommend to set the pulser at for doing the 1/16" steel?
Reply:You got me!  I don't have a pulsing unit.  My welder is what ya call "old school"....It's old and came out of a school....Maybe some other folks here can help you on that one.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.