Tig Welding is the Most Amazing Thing Ever

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New tig welder here (obviously). I bought a Thermal Arc 186 having never even touched a tig machine before. I grew up around stick and mig but the possibilities with tig always fascinated me. I finally dove in.The TA 186 is a great machine for what I'm doing. I'm nowhere near experienced enough to offer any sort of opinion on the quality of the machine. It helped me discover the puddle and what it means to work it. I'm totally and completely transfixed. It's such an amazing process. The torch is too big for the material I'm working with. I'm going to get a water cooler with a CK20 torch. I think this will make it a suitable machine for the next year or so as I learn.I have a profound amount of respect for tig welding and tig welders. I've always recognized beautiful welds but I've never appreciated what it takes until I actually did it myself. Tig welding is awesome; awesomely difficult.After some trial and error, I got to this on my first day playing with the TA. 1/8" mild steel. Just buzzing beads and getting comfortable with everything.Last edited by mancha; 02-22-2013 at 11:44 AM.
Reply:Like a kid with a new toy, enjoy it!!
Reply:Looks like we have another addict on our hands.....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:Don't get out much, do ya? http://www.facebook.com/LockhartMetalArthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Grumpy...44306259043484
Reply:Hang onto your wallet. It's going to be a bumpy ride.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:Yup, it's a lot of power in such a tiny arc, eh?
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterLooks like we have another addict on our hands.....zap!
Reply:and just wait until you start properly cleaning that metal and get really nice welds, then you'll truly be hooked (hint hint)
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHang onto your wallet. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Reply:Looking for a local TWA (TIG Welding Anonymous) support group.  12-step program.  The infection is starting to spread.  Will welding a wallet actually save $$? Shaka!
Reply:"Almost" better than sex,  ,  ,  ,
Reply:That was my problem or amazement at first and still is. Due to a need for it and a welder that quit (person not equipment) I went to school and bought my own tig machine. I have been tig welding (light fabrication) for 3 years now and still find myself amazed at the finished product.
Reply:Originally Posted by ManoKaiLooking for a local TWA (TIG Welding Anonymous) support group.  12-step program.  The infection is starting to spread.  Will welding a wallet actually save $$? Shaka!
Reply:I have the same fascination. It's mesmerizing to work the pedal and see the metal liquify then solidify. All this from a quiet little 60hz humming sound with no smoke and spatter obscuring the view.But then, I have had a fascination with electronics since high school. As a technician, you try very hard NOT to short something out while troubleshooting. TIG, MIG, and Stick are my poetic justice for all those years of trying not to short anything out.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillHi I'm Will and I'm a tig welder it's been two days since my last arc.
Reply:@ Steelwill - Nice.  Hey, heck with this TWA meeting stuff....it's boring. The Miller Coolmate 4 is now operational.  Let's go light up some tungsten and burn some steel .Last edited by ManoKai; 03-01-2013 at 08:55 PM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Hmmmmmmm all I can say is your not dealing with Normal people when you talk about TIGGUYS..... Usually large egos, quick to Pass judgement, deep pockets because they Charge more for their skills.....AND .......Some really cool dudes.... Lol  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHmmmmmmm all I can say is your not dealing with Normal people when you talk about TIGGUYS..... Usually large egos, quick to Pass judgement, deep pockets because they Charge more for their skills.....AND .......Some really cool dudes.... Lol
Reply:How long have you been a Tig welder?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by manchaNew tig welder here (obviously). I bought a Thermal Arc 186 having never even touched a tig machine before. I grew up around stick and mig but the possibilities with tig always fascinated me. I finally dove in.The TA 186 is a great machine for what I'm doing. I'm nowhere near experienced enough to offer any sort of opinion on the quality of the machine. It helped me discover the puddle and what it means to work it. I'm totally and completely transfixed. It's such an amazing process. The torch is too big for the material I'm working with. I'm going to get a water cooler with a CK20 torch. I think this will make it a suitable machine for the next year or so as I learn.I have a profound amount of respect for tig welding and tig welders. I've always recognized beautiful welds but I've never appreciated what it takes until I actually did it myself. Tig welding is awesome; awesomely difficult.After some trial and error, I got to this on my first day playing with the TA. 1/8" mild steel. Just buzzing beads and getting comfortable with everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHow long have you been a Tig welder?
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillHi I'm Will and I'm a tig welder it's been two days since my last arc.
Reply:Originally Posted by tig dummy3 years. Like I said I am not bashing you or your post my reply is just how i see and feel about myself and the complexity of tig. Untill the day comes that I can't or don't learn something when tig welding I AM NO EXPERT.
Reply:Originally Posted by cornemuse"Almost" better than sex,  ,  ,  ,
Reply:It's been 36 hours since my last arc. I'm considering a machine to get me through the weekends.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A