Having trouble tig welding small diameter tubing...any tips?

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By small I mean 1/2 inch outside diameter.  I can only run a very small bit before my torch angle goes all to crap.   I cant seem to find a good angle to place my work piece so that I can support my torch hand and be able to run a longer bead.  I would be happy it be able to run at least half before turning.    I realize practice makes perfect...just looking for some things to try that I might not have thought of yet.   Thanks
Reply:Do you have a flex head torch? that will make things a little easier , anyway don't try to weld half of tube in one time, that will only result in a bent/warped tube.How many parts do you have to weld? maybe you can build a jig to rotate them while holding the torch steady.--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Make yourself a little  pipe roller and power it up! Maybe you can pickup a tiny bench lathe or something similar.Last edited by houseoffire; 02-21-2012 at 10:37 AM.AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Can you stand it up and weld it that way? I have been doing some round parts lately and before I do each one I "wave" my torch from one end to the other to see how far I can get before I start to weld.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:Thanks.  I do have a flex head torch. I guess I just have too high expectations. LOL.
Reply:Some tips from my navy days,  1/2" sched 10,  purge tubing with argon, helps inside not to oxidize when you burn through. Short welds help from overheating tubing. Small tungsten and smaller filler wire helps, ie more manageable. Like 0.045" wire from a small MIG spool. I can try to think of more if you need it.                  Rob
Reply:I use 1/16 ceriated electrodes, pulse with the syncrowave 250.Also I set up some of the medium triangular magnets to hold the rods horizontal to the table.  Use the notch.  Sometimes i can get someone to turn them as I weld.  With a little practice you can get pretty good welds.
Reply:Braze it :-D
Reply:Originally Posted by W123BenzBraze it :-D