Few tig questions.

admin

Hi everyone, picking up a Lincoln 355 square wave this weekend and I got a few questions.I've always used pure tungsten (green) for aluminum and 2% thoriated (red) for steel. My question is, is there anything better out there or should I just stick with this in the beginning. Been a few years since I've done any tig welding. Would 3/32 be a good size to start with? Second what gas do I need. I think it's pure argon for aluminum, but will this work on steel too or so I need to get another bottle? Third, what's the best size filler rod to use. Kind of like a one size fits all rod? Just want to get steel and aluminum for starting and then later work up to different sizes. Thanks everyone
Reply:100% argon for everything.I never cared for green. Red,blue,gold,orange they all work well on both materials. IMO3/32 is a great all around size.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I use purple tungsten. The e3.Use it as a one tungsten for all jobs type
Reply:Woa, nice machine to start off with. 100% argon for everything.....for nowPure and Thor tung are a bit outdated these days. I personally prefer 2% ceriated and use it for both polarities. My machine is also a square wave transformer like yours. Try downloading the miller "Tig Handbook" sadly they took it offline and are now charging for it, but you can find it through an intensive google search. Tungsten size and filler size are going to be dependent on the material thickness and thus amps you plan to run. Also make sure your torch has or you purchase the proper collets needed for the different size tungstens. I use 1/16 and 3/32 tung for nearly everything, and primarily 1/16" filler, but sometimes 3/32" filler, mostly on aluminum. As a general rule you want your filler to be smaller in diameter than the base material thickness. Happy welding.
Reply:3/32" diameter is going to be too small for alum, I would suggest 1/8" E3, TriMix, Rare earth, these are all the same blend with TriMix being the most expensive. Your 3/32" red should work well for the majority or your steel needs. These 2 are what we use our tigs, even on our Miller 700 amp machine. When over 500 amps we go to 5/32" TriMix for  alum.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Thanks guys. Alittle family back ground will help. My grandpa and his brother started a shop together and when my grandpa died. My great uncle split off and started his own shop (he's 89 now and still runs it) 3 of my uncles also split off and they each have their own shops. They all do different things and non of them tig weld. So it's pretty much in my blood. Thanks I will def look into the 1/8" E3. I've been watching a lot of the welding tips and tricks videos so I'm learning a lot there also. Thanks for all the help
Reply:Hey, Nscott88.I have been tigging and learning with a Syncrowave 250 for several months. I tried red and green, but I have been better satisfied with 2% Lanthanated (Blue) after reading about it on http://www.WeldingTipsandTricks.com.It works well with both steel and aluminum. I would suggest you try it in 3/32" with some 3/32" filler of both. I am not a professional, but just another guy starting. I think the fewer variables you have, the more you can concentrate on technique. Afterall, technique is probably more important to a quality weld than which machine, tungsten, or filler size you use. Once your technique is solid, I'm sure having different tungstens, different size filler, and different gas mixes will make a difference.As stated above, the material you are welding will determine the best size to use, but if you are practicing on 1/8"-3/32" material, this will get you going.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I am also a beginner tig welder so take my advice with a grain of salt.  I have tried several different types of tungsten and my favorite is the 2% Thoriated in 3/32" diameter.  I only weld steel right now though but soon to start aluminum.I also have the E3 purple and 2% Lanthanated blue, and like both, but I find the red Thoriated works best for me and you can find high quality USA made 2% Thoriated cheap on eBay.I also keep a few 1/16" tungsten just in case I do something really thin.As to filler material I use 3/32" ER70S-2 and ER70S-6 in 1/16" and 3/32" diameter.  So far have had no use for anything 1/8" thick on steel.I also do stainless steel so I also have 308L, 309L and 316L filler wire in 1/16" and 3/32" size.My best advice, and this is just my opinion, is to get a few gas lenses.  Get a couple small gas lenses with #7 cup and a couple of medium gas lenses with a #8 cup.  Makes a world of difference in weld quality.
Reply:Originally Posted by zklingTry downloading the miller "Tig Handbook" sadly they took it offline and are now charging for it, but you can find it through an intensive google search.
Reply:You can go to Diamond Ground Products website and order samples of their tungstens for free.  They have rare earth blends like E3.Im not a pro, but 2% Lanthanated is pretty cheap and holds a good point on AC.  Works as good as Thoriated on DC.  I use only 3/32 and do most welding under 200 amps.  Between 200 and 300, the tip rounds a bit, but it still works.  Haven't bought 1/8 yet.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Tungsten is pretty over rated. I could blindly grab any tungsten out of a box and weld away with it and probably not even notice it is different than the next. I almost always use 3/32" tung.My most stocked filler is 1/16" for all metals. The one filler I do get in bigger sizes is aluminum because smaller aluminum filler doesn't make it to the puddle all the time when welding thicker materials.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTTungsten is pretty over rated. I could blindly grab any tungsten out of a box and weld away with it and probably not even notice it is different than the next. I almost always use 3/32" tung.My most stocked filler is 1/16" for all metals. The one filler I do get in bigger sizes is aluminum because smaller aluminum filler doesn't make it to the puddle all the time when welding thicker materials.
Reply:Thanks everyone for the information. I'll play around with it and see what I like best.
Reply:NScott88, I like your avatar. Looks like a man on fire. His buts on fire anyway.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideNScott88, I like your avatar. Looks like a man on fire. His buts on fire anyway.
Reply:Originally Posted by sidekickI think this is it:http://igor.chudov.com/manuals/Mille...G-Handbook.pdf
Reply:Thoriated doesn't like to ball. It will tend to split instead and as soon as it starts splitting say goodbye to easy predictable arc. You will also have to grind it way back to get rid of the arc. Combine that with it's slight radioactivity why use it. I know many people will argue that it's completely benign and it probably is but why use it when other things work just as well? I have switched completely to 1.5-2% Lanthenated. I have used it welding steel, stainless, aluminum and titanium and it works great on all of them.Lincoln precision TIG 275Millermatic 140 MIG
Reply:Not sure which torch is on it. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Most of what I'm going to be welding is aluminum, anywhere from 1/8 to 20g. Alittle steel and probably some stainless later on. Starting out I know I have some square tubing to weld up.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonNot likely. The man has a lincoln 355.What do you have?
Reply:I can tell a very distinct difference between Thoriated and Lanthanated when I use it.  It doesn't mess me up but I can tell the difference.
Reply:I could probably tig with SS in the torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTI could probably tig with SS in the torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes Please!Pictures will be appreciated.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTYou know, if I had some 3/32 SS laying around I would be a bit tempted to try something.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes Please!Pictures will be appreciated.Okay so the torch is a weldcraft wp-9f. Which torch should I start out with for 1/8 and smaller?
Reply:Originally Posted by Nscott88Okay so the torch is a weldcraft wp-9f. Which torch should I start out with for 1/8 and smaller?
Reply:Originally Posted by MWaldenYou don't have any 3/32" 308L or 309L filler rod laying anywhere?
Reply:Originally Posted by WookieWeldingyes please post pics normal prank we play on the new guys at the shop to the OP you are going to want to get a wp18 to go along with the wp20 if you want to be able to use the amp range your machine has nice score
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelon3/32" diameter is going to be too small for alum, I would suggest 1/8" E3, TriMix, Rare earth, these are all the same blend with TriMix being the most expensive.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuy10I thought tri-mix was for MIG welding SS, and that for TIG welding you use pure argon for everything. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarThey're not talking about shielding gases.  They are referring to tungsten alloy electrodes.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuy10Ah, ok... thanks for clarifying. I thought he was saying to use tri-mix gas with a 1/8" E3. I had never heard of a "TriMix" tungsten.
Reply:I took the chapters from Millers TIG handbook that they had on their site and assembled them together into one large pdf. I think it's about 88 pages or something like that.If anyone wants it PM/Email me your email address and I'll email it to you. The file is about 5 MB in size.