Learning to Tig Weld on ThermaArc 181i Fabricator

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Hi, Everyone.As the title says, I am trying to learn to TIG weld on my new ThermalArc 181i Fabricator. I had a Lincoln Mig-Pak 15 MIG Welder for years and used it on all types of projects. I purchased the 181i for its' multi process capabilities of MIG, TIG, and stick welding and sold the MIG-Pak 15.The 181i MIG's and stick welds well. The TIG has lift start (no HF start) in DC only. Here's a picture of the new 181i:It also came with a foot pedal:When I first started learning to run a puddle with the supplied TIG torch, I found it cumbersome to manipulate and purchased a CK9V Torch and Superflex Hose that HTP made up for me, added a gas lens, cup, and 1/16 Radnor E3 Tungsten. I find it easier to hold and manipulate. I ran plenty of puddles and now I'm starting to add filler rod to the puddle: I am welding on .0700 mild steel, amps set at 80, argon set at 12 SCFH, and ER70S2 filler rod. Here is a closer look at the last bunch of welds I ran today:The top weld bead is the last and best looking bead I was able to produce today. Others varied because of variation in tungsten distance and any other errors you can think of. I decided not to post pictures of the other (ugly) welds I did earlier. I would welcome any tips or comments on these welds as I need all the help I can get. For me, I'm having a good time trying to learn to tig weld. Improvement seems to be coming slowly but I have improved significantly since I started. Again, please provide any comments or tips.WeldingWeb has been a treasure of good information for me and I look forward to any and all responses on this posting. Thanks to all.
Reply:welcome to the forum, i have just ordered a 181i on monday for our maint shop @ work. while i am no expert, i found using no filler @ first while attempting to learn how to tig was helpful for me, once i got decent @ that i then started to use some filler material & practiced as much as i could. still scratch to start with foot pedal???? how would you rate the machine overall?                                     Bob
Reply:First off, there is no evidence of you using a sanding disk or grinding wheel to remove millscale.  You need to do this.  Start making it a habit now while you're beginning.  The weld beads and puddles will come out better in pictures instead of that graininess mess you have there.    Aside from asthetics, the weld beads will be "better" when you do this (as time goes by and you get better, of course).I would also venture to guess that you need to work on your torch angle/filler feed angle because it looks like many of those "beads" were formed when the filler rod met the arc, and not the leading edge of the puddle.  When this happens, it blobs up and just falls down, where as it should be wicked into the puddle by feeding the leading edge of the puddle when properly done.  I think I see a little porosity which is what happens when shielding gas is disturbed, or you dipped the tungsten.  If you actually give us a rundown of what actually happened, the responses to this thread will get exponentially better. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:rdionneI like the 181i a lot. I find the MIG and stick capability to be very good. I can't comment on the TIG because I'm a newbie and haven't had any experience. You're right about not hitting the puddle with the rod. I was too far in front of the puddle several times when adding filler but I'm getting better at it.OscarThe steel has been completely cleaned of mill scale in a blast cabinet. Since my initial post in this thread I have turned the gas up a little and that seemed to help. Also, I watched more welding videos and observed the welder moving the puddle forward, moving the torch back a little, dabbing filler rod, repeat, repeat, etc. I am getting a better at this a little at a time.Here's a picture of some of my beads I ran after my initial posting:
Reply:that's not bad, now start some actual joints (not ganja) --------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Looking better. Steel is a little thin compared to what we use to teach with, but it's doable. Next step we'd have you do is overlap one bead 50% over the previous one. Students usually get that down in 15 to 30 minutes. Mostly its' about aiming the puddle more than anything else, and it lets them use the material they have already been using to save. Next would be lap joints. With material this thin it will be a bit tougher than with the 1/8" we typically use. You won't really have a top edge to work against as far as building a bead. Chances are your bead will simply bury everything on the edge. Keeping the bead small and controlled will be a bit harder with thinner stock vs 1/8". We usually have students stack up the pieces like a set of stairs. This lets them do both sides, and with each addition piece you add 2 beads vs getting only 2 beads from 2 pieces if you do them individually. I'd get smaller pieces as well. 1 1/2" is about the narrowest I've found workable, 2" wide is a bit better. Make sure you tack both sides before you weld the 1st lap joint. If not the heat will pull the 2nd side away from the other sheet and it gets to be a real pain to try and do good beads.Next would be T joints where instead of tow large heatsinked surfaces, you have one thin edge to work with. Again the thin material may be a bit tougher to work with vs 1/8"..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:Thanks DSW.I'll be picking up some 1/8 in. material. I can cut them whatever width I need with my plasma cutter.
Reply:Keep in mind that plasma cut edges will need to be ground when doing joints to remove the oxidation layer from the cut..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