TIG Tacking

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I ran across this high speed video of TIG tack welding using a power supply with a spot timer and a button switch on the torch.  This video is 190 amps for 60 milli-seconds (0.060 sec), on stainless steel 1mm (0.039") thick.  There are some other videos with longer weld times also.  It's cool to see how the puddle oscillates after the arc is shut off.  You can see how effective a very short pulse of high current is at forming tack weld.http://video.google.com/videosearch?...93475801351277http://video.google.com/videosearch?...42434178760639Below are some past discussions on the subject.  High current TIG tacking is stupid simple, but one of the most valuable "tricks" I ever learned.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=tig+spot+weldhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...tig+weld+wiresLast edited by pulser; 11-24-2009 at 02:33 PM.
Reply:That company makes some nice machines.(Kempii). I wish they wer in the U.SI.B.E.W Electrician and Damn Proud of It !!!! .Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/
Reply:This is really interesting, pulser!I made a radiator guard for my motorcycle, out of 304 SS mesh .035 wire diameter.In order to hold it's shape, the perimeter of the screen needed to be secured. Attempts at using my SW255 TIG were less than scintillating, and I ended up using silver solder.The silver solder solution worked well, but man, very time consuming. A TIG tack would have been the ticket!I'm not really electrically inclined, but it seems to me that a regular TIG pedal (Lincoln K870) could be modified to give full amperage without having to stepped on to it's full travel. This would allow a much shorter "ON" cycle without having to ramp up to full output.I just happen to have an extra K870 pedal that I could experiment with.Any thoughts?Rex
Reply:Hello Rex, I am not familiar with your particular machine, however, if it can be set to select from using remote contactor and panel amperage control you could do what you have described. Set the selector switch for contactor to remote and the amperage control to panel, then you can set the required amperage on the machine and control how long it will deliver that amperage by how long you step on the pedal. Hope that makes sense. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:aevald,I think some machines do have the option of remote contactor and panel current control, that's a great idea. Also,  I think an off time delay relay could be added to the contactor circuit for adjustable arc time.  I need to work on that.
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserI ran across this high speed video of TIG tack welding using a power supply with a spot timer and a button switch on the torch.  This video is 190 amps for 60 milli-seconds (0.060 sec), on stainless steel 1mm (0.039") thick.  There are some other videos with longer weld times also.  It's cool to see how the puddle oscillates after the arc is shut off.  You can see how effective a very short pulse of high current is at forming tack weld.
Reply:If you run across any videos like that of high freq pulsing I would be really interested to see how the puddle behaves.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello Rex, I am not familiar with your particular machine, however, if it can be set to select from using remote contactor and panel amperage control you could do what you have described. Set the selector switch for contactor to remote and the amperage control to panel, then you can set the required amperage on the machine and control how long it will deliver that amperage by how long you step on the pedal. Hope that makes sense. Best regards, Allan
Reply:The same function can be found on Lorch(German)  TIG torch... U can do continous or press n play... Program a slope for customize job.Unit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:That was interesting, thanks Pulser.The new Kemppi TIG i was looking at had this function.Definatly would be handy.I'll see if i can demo this function when the rep. comes around in a few weeks.Got some 1.2 mm SS that i have trouble with sometimes.
Reply:Kemppi is a popular good quality rig... It do low wattage 5w methink... For micro work set with pulse... And good Kemppi AD helmet that come with it... CheersUnit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:I do the poor mans version of that when im tig welding stainless plating tanks and liners.   Just set the tig to a high setting usually 275 amps or there about's and snap the pedal down quick when im ready to do a quick tack. Mind you this is usually strait corner to corner welds but it works good for me.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.