I wanna weld like ZTFab !!!

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So, I've seen the pictures, bought the equipment, kissed the wife and hugged the kids, I'm ready to try welding CM tubing and CM plate with that "stacked dime look".  So, to that end I'm trying to understand the steps involved so I can give it a whirl this weekend (stand back everyone).Here's what I think when it comes to welding 1.625 X .083 CM tubing, and .090 CM plate in one inch strips, to get that "stacked dime look" and be a proper/safe weld too of course, shoot me down where necessary:1.  Set the AMPs around 80, use 3/32 Red Tungsten, #5 or #6 cup, use 1/16 or 3/32 ER70S2 filler rod (or no rod at all?)2.  Mash the pedal to the floor to create a weld pool3.  Dab the filler rod in the weld pool (in the center?)4.  Lift off the pedal (not sure how long)5.  Move the torch along (distance to be determined)6.  Mash the pedal to the floor to create a new weld pool7.  Dab the filler rod in the weld pool8.  Lift off the pedal9.  Repeat steps 5 through 8 until I realize that I'm kidding myself, or I have that Eureka moment.Am I off by a mile here?Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:You will find that a lot of his stuff is MIG.Check out the thread " MIG like TIG " that was started in response to his TIG looking MIG welds.
Reply:Hi LarryO, thanks for the feedback, I only have a TIG welder so I'm trying to create the effect with what I have.Regards.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Haha why not focus on achieving a sound weld rather than getting this "stacked dime" look that everyone is oddly so attracted too. Grab a 6010 and whip it if you want dimes. From what ive seen of attempts at this "stacked dime" technique is no good IMO and would be frowned upon in any sort of high pressure work i do. Nice tight ripples weather it be Tig or stick is desirable.
Reply:I want everyone to know that I did read the posts about the circular motion with the MIG, I will try a similar thing with my TIG, however my TIG machine has a lot of setup features on it that I'm hoping would result in a different way of doing things to come up with the same effect.Regards.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Gee, Finally someone who wants to make a tig weld look like a tig weld!  Thank you!You can do this without pulsing the pedal. Basically every time you dip and move you will leave a small "dime" under the right circumstances.I'm not sure what your skill level actually is. Tig is all about heat control. You "mash" down on the pedal to get the puddle formed fast, then back off so you don't blow thru. As you move along and the piece heats up, you'll need to continue to back down the heat. When you add filler you will cool the puddle and need to add more heat.I'll assume you don't have any skills at all and are learning from scratch. Get some plate and just run beads with no filler. Play with the pedal to see what it does. How hot and large can you get it before it drops out?, How small can you make it and still keep it going? How fast can you move if you crank up the heat, but keep the puddle small and so on. Then start adding filler. Get a rhythm set up, dip-move, dip-move, dip-move... Remember you melt the filler with the puddle NOT the arc.Remember the key is to make good solid welds, not pretty ones. Tig will naturally give you the look you want, when you are doing it correctly. Remember if you are melting the filler with the arc, and dropping it on the plate, it may look like what you want, but the strength won't be there. The puddle and controlling it is the key. Pumping the pedal can help, but it can also be a crutch to develop bad habits and make poor welds. Learn the right way from the start.Pm sent..Last edited by DSW; 01-08-2010 at 05:17 PM..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:Yea.. .everytime you dip the filler you create a "dime" or whatever you want to call it.Unless you're doing lay-wire method, which is just flat and contour-less.But if you move the torch along at a steady pace, and dip the filler the same amount every time with the same amount of time out of the puddle... it will come out perfect.Just look at some great aluminum welds.!! =)
Reply:First you'll need.... two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... Also, a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls. Not that you need all that for the trip, but once you get into locked a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can. oh and you don't have to Pulse the pedalEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:You wanna weld like ZTFab?  Get in line.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:You don't have to be in a big hurry. I don't really "mash" the pedal to the floor. Start slowly and watch the puddle develop. Add a touch of filler and move the torch a small amount forward. Don't back off the pedal much, if at all. Watch the puddle develop and add filler when it is the right size to melt the filler rod and not cause the puddle to freeze. Dip the filler quickly and pull back but keeping it very close to almost under the gas cup to keep it protected. Move forward the same small amount and continue in a methodical rythm. I set the amps up higher than I expect to need and only depress the pedal the required amount, but I still have a few more amps at the ready if needed.I'm not only a member of the "ZT Fab" club, I am also the president.Last edited by Ian-MetalSmith; 01-08-2010 at 06:28 PM.Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Thanks guys, I'm going to try a few things this weekend, I'll post the results for constructive criticism.Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:For steel there is less reason to start really hot; you can actualy slowly heat up with the exception of thin sheet and thin tube work. The advice was good; from the steady heat and dabs, and te decreasing heat as you travel, down to the mescaline and salt shaker full of booger sugar. It' won't make you weld any better, but you'll be so stoned you'll THINK you weld better. And that, my friend, is what matters!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I do a good mixture of MIG and TIG, just depends on what I am building.Look in these threads for some of my TIG work.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=22670http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=31135http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=28660http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=10922http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=11016http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=11617There is no need to pulse the pedal, the addition of the filler will create the profile of each bead. Fitment, getting the heat right, and adding the filler consistently are the key factors in getting a uniform weld.Like others, and I, have said....if you are just starting out it is better to work on the basics and make sure that you know how to make a sound weld before you worry too much about the appearance.Last edited by ZTFab; 01-09-2010 at 09:35 AM.Reason: spellinghttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Here are just some pics of my TIG welding in case you don't want to go digging through the threads.S7 Tool steel blades1.75" DOM mild steel tubing on a roll cage.050" 3003 Aluminumhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Thanks Paul, thanks everyone, I'm continuing to practice my TIG welding, hoping to reach the promised land at some point.Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:ZTFab has some of the better welds I have seen for a while.Getting to that point takes lots of torch time if you swet the look at first your gonna get discouraged, just practice get the basics down and find your style everyone is a little different you know.As far as pulsing it is a bad habit I wont lie and say that I have never done it but still you dont want to have to,with practice you can get the look without [email protected]://streetorstripconcept.com/index.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/streetorstripconcepthttp://instagram.com/streetorstripconcept
Reply:If anyone can tig that good all jittery, jacked up on coke, they're pretty dam good!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I prefer to be MYSELF....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.
Reply:Originally Posted by DavidSimThanks Paul, thanks everyone, I'm continuing to practice my TIG welding, hoping to reach the promised land at some point.Regards to all.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33If anyone can tig that good all jittery, jacked up on coke, they're pretty dam good!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI prefer to be MYSELF....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabWTF are you talking about?
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1My quote from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabWow, another quality post by zap.Almost to 10k....keep it up.
Reply:Do you use any software programs to help with you designs, and angels to notch the tube?Originally Posted by tortisDo you use any software programs to help with you designs, and angels to notch the tube?
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabI skip the angels and go directly to Jesus for notching advice.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabI skip the angels and go directly to Jesus for notching advice.
Reply:hey ZTFab, do you have a shop in Upland?
Reply:Sure do.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:I am pretty close, if you ever need someone to sweep floors or anything, I'd like to watch you weld a little
Reply:Where do you live?http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Monrovia
Reply:Originally Posted by eyeball engineerMonrovia
Reply:on that rhino cage did you put the tube in a lathe and clean up the ends?
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabI grew up on Mayflower and my wife used to live on Fowler. Her brother and most of her family still live in Monrovia.
Reply:Not on a lathe. I use one of my Burr King sanders to clean the tubes.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabNot on a lathe. I use one of my Burr King sanders to clean the tubes.
Reply:Originally Posted by eyeball engineerlooks clean.... what size filler wire did you use on that, does your welder have pulse? I have a 250 dx at work, but I still am having a hard time figuring out the pulser I can get nice looking beads but not the nice even spaced ripples like your welds, the ripples on my welds are a lot closer. I have to find some pics that a guy on here posted of some tig welds that humbled me and my abilitys... along with your welds too of course
Reply:nice looking welds
Reply:Well, I've finished my second TIG class, my welds are starting to look sort of decent (in my humble opinion), although I am certainly not there yet.  I am concentrating on welding CM tubing (1.625 X .083) and plate (.125 or less). I've tried various torches and settings, and have settled on a PTA-9 torch (I like the small cup), a number 5 cup, red tungsten, ER70S2 rod, 80 AMPS maximum, etc.I will try to take some close up shots (not sure if my camera can do it) and post them for comment.I doubt I'll ever weld like Paul, but I'm sure as heck giving it a go.Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:>>when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!! >More Thompson............ >More Thompson............ <<Huh???
Reply:Dr. Gonzo............200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:ZTFab, who is your avatar now?"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Wow gotta say that I like ZT's tig work allot, I'll have to find my practical test piece that I did and get a pic of it up but his work is definitely clean and fluid from those pics.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manZTFab, who is your avatar now?