TIG newbie

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My TA185 pkg is suppose to be here next week.  So I want to get everything to keep me welding.  Please let me know what I need, or need to change.  I am going to be doing mostly 1/8 and 3/16" aluminum.  I will also be doing some smaller aluminum and steel.  From what I have read I am thinking75/25 argon/heliumstainless brushes and acetone1/16 and 3/32 1.5% lanthanated tungsten1/16, 3/32, and 1/8" 4043 rod1/16" ER70S-2 for the steelWhat do I need as far as cups, collets, lenses, etc?I have a helmet and gloves.  So we can skip that post.
Reply:If you are doing a lot of 1/8" and 3/16" alum you will want a cooler and a water cooled torch if you don't have one already. You'll be pushing that machine to the max with 3/16" and an aircooled torch will get hot fast.At those amps I usually prefer to run 1/8" tungstens, but you can get by with 3/32". You'll need collets in the same sizes as your tungstens. As far as cups, 95% of what I do I just use the #8 cup on my gas lense. I have other cup sizes for my standard torch parts, but almost never use them. My 3/32" or 1/8" gas lense gets the most use..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:STOP !  put down the helment and step away from the doughtnutyou need 100% ARGON to TIG alum and Tig  weld have you ever welded before ? we will help, the mix you you read about cost more and helps for thick alum start with argon an steel  learn puddle control  then alumLast edited by prop-doctor; 09-21-2011 at 11:54 PM.idealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:The Doctor is right.Start with learning how to TIG on steel first, then move on to alu.Alu can be a bit tricky with needing AC, different prep work, etc
Reply:Most of my welding has been stick.  I have never ran a tig.  Most of the info I have gotten is from here and weldingtipsandtricks.I was thinking about starting with steel since the rod is cheaper and it would take a little less electricity for learning.  Does it matter what size or type I start with?  I assume I would want to be on the smaller side.How often do you change collets and what not when a dummy has ahold of the torch?
Reply:1/16 - 1/8" steel would be best for learning on that machine; anything under 1/16" (16 ga.) requires more skill and may make for a frustrating learning experience. Steel 1/4" or over takes a lot of amps and will heat up your air-cooled torch quickly.As stated above, straight Argon is best for steel and thin Al. and is cheaper than the 75/25 mix. Start with the straight Ar. and only use the mix if and when necessary.Gas lenses and collets last a long time if they are properly tightened and not overheated. Welding mild steel out-of-position will clog the gas lens screen with sparks, so you may want to keep an extra one in stock.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by FFPHow often do you change collets and what not when a dummy has ahold of the torch?
Reply:Originally Posted by FFPMy TA185 pkg is suppose to be here next week.  So I want to get everything to keep me welding.  Please let me know what I need, or need to change.  I am going to be doing mostly 1/8 and 3/16" aluminum.  I will also be doing some smaller aluminum and steel.  From what I have read I am thinking75/25 argon/heliumstainless brushes and acetone1/16 and 3/32 1.5% lanthanated tungsten1/16, 3/32, and 1/8" 4043 rod1/16" ER70S-2 for the steelWhat do I need as far as cups, collets, lenses, etc?I have a helmet and gloves.  So we can skip that post.
Reply:It is coming with a foot control.  I was going to get just the power unit so I could put the extra money the pkg deal cost toward a water cooled torch.  But I was quoted $1999 for just the power unit, and the pkg with foot control, 150 torch, ground cable, gas reg. was only $2295.  I was quoted almost 200 for just the foot control.  So the pkg seemed like a decent deal and it will get me up and running sooner.  Plus I can use the air cooled torch to weld up a water cooler system.
Reply:That's cool,where did you bougth your TA185 from?
Reply:Got it from here.Any advice on tank size?  A 324 or whatever it is, is about $80 more for the tank than an 84.  You get about 4 times the gas for about twice the price(about $90 for 100% argon).  It is only $15 more for 25% helium mix.  Is there any negative to the mix other than the expense and using more gas?
Reply:Since your a newbie start off with straight Ar first. Get the big tank since you should be planning on spending about 150 hrs of arc time on just practicing. Start out with just the basic stuff first, there is no need to step up to a helium mix until you try thicker stuff. I would start with 1/8" and work you way down to thinner which is more difficult and going thicker would be easier.
Reply:The only down side to the large 200+ cf cylinders is that most places rent/lease rather than sell them. This can get rather pricy depending on your supplier if the cylinder just sits as it often does for the average hobbyist. If it's actually a purchased cylinder rather than a rental/lease, keep in mind that some places may not exchange cylinders over say 150 cf. It's fine while you use the original company, however if they close or sell out, you may be left with a cylinder thats not really useful. near me almost all the old individual shops that would fill individually owned large cylinders are long gone. It's become almost impossible to find anyone who will deal with the owner cylinders over 150 cf unfortunately.The up side as you found out is that it's often a good bit less for gas when you compare price per cubic foot. You also have a pretty good chance you won't run out of gas over the weekend if you've got at least a 1/4 tank full for most people.I'd agree on using the 100% argon as well. Mix has it's place, but it's not needed at this point. If you found yourself needing a bit more power, say to do 3/16"-1/4" alum with that machine for one specific job, then maybe it would be worth it. On average it will just cost you more overall with no real advantages.Last edited by DSW; 10-02-2011 at 08:01 PM..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:The guy at Norco recommended I buy the cylinder.  They keep all sizes in stock to exchange.  I haven't checked to see if Oxarc keeps the larger cylinders in stock, or what there price is.  I think Norco said a full 84cf was around $200 and a 324cf was around $280.  I think they sell the cylinders at their cost and make their money on the gas.  A friend of mine gave me another place to price out, but the prices I got seem pretty fair if they are correct.
Reply:in the 3 mules  foto in post 11 it shows the small box that comes  with the ta185 containing plenty cups, collets, tungsten to get started..buy some er70s 2 or 6 to start on the steel....tungs usally come 7 inches long..i break mine in 3 parts and sharpen both ends, keeps me weldin and away from the grinder..this lets you use a short back cap on the torch and get into tight spots..the only time i ever broke a cup was when i hooked the torch up positive..blew a flame 6 inches long and the vaporizing tungsten took the cup out..
Reply:It is a CK kit with cup sizes 4, 5, and 6.  Colletts and bodies for .040, 1/16, and 3/32.  1 gray 7" tungsten for each size, and  both short and long caps.  In case anyone was interested.