TIG welding in college there strict on my consumables

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so my college only uses 1.5% tungsten that's it they wont give you anything else another person made a good point isn't college about learning how to work with other consumables ?my TIG rig i paid for through the college didn't have a choice on that ether its a good one 200amp anchor air cooled it came with a gas lens and #10 cup i can not see any reason for such a large cup other than when welding stainless .is there anywhere i can receive free samples of tungsten to try on my own ? what about different size cups ? i found a few sites but as far as cups i have to buy 10 or more and i don't need 10 cups of the same size maybe 2 of each size that's it
Reply:from usaweld on ebay you can buy multipacks with various consumable sizes for a good price. the brand is htp which I am a big fan of.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:How'd you get to college level with all those fragments, run-ons and punctuation mistakes??? Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHow'd you get to college level with all those fragments, run-ons and punctuation mistakes???
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHow'd you get to college level with all those fragments, run-ons and punctuation mistakes???
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHow'd you get to college level with all those fragments, run-ons and punctuation mistakes???
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloanwell heck i never did good on my learning and school work shucks i thought welding had nothing to do with grammar and spelling except for four letter words
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveEven worse, some teachers allow "text speak" on class work.
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloanwell heck i never did good on my learning and school work shucks i thought welding had nothing to do with grammar and spelling except for four letter words
Reply:Originally Posted by Rock knockerWhere? Source?
Reply:so quit whining and buy your own.  consumables are cheap enough,  you should be able to afford to get your own if you're not happy with what is being provided.   obviously you are not used to spending several hundred dollars per semester for textbooks.  please enlighten me;  did you have to cough up anything for your 'college' education?Last edited by ncountyline; 09-30-2013 at 12:24 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSo what happens when you get to the point in your welding career when you have to write WPS, or RFIs?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveJust one of many: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspo...each-text.htmlGrrrrrr......Dave J.
Reply:To the OP, I would suggest looking online for a small variety pack of cups and gas lenses. Most people I have talked to use around a size 7 or so.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Rock knockerMaybe do some critical reading.  That link is proof of nothing except that some apparently anonymous blogger thinks that text speak should be taught in schools.  Nothing more, it is only an opinion of one individual.  Please supply some proof that teachers or schools are allowing this use on the whole.  Also be aware that the english language is always evolving.  The use of lite (light) or better yet, thru (through) while incorrect, is much different that the use of RU (are you?).  But I'll await your proof rather than your poorly supported contributions to internet misinformation.
Reply:If you actually teach, you should know the difficulty of proving a negative.  A math teacher should be especially versed in this.  You alleged that there are many proofs that text-speak is taught or allowed in schools.  You have not supplied any evidence there of, except to try to push the proof onto me, which is logically weak, and have brought up second hand discussions.Again, please cite some specific and verifiable proof of which you speakjust one of many
Reply:Hello Dave, to folks who think that text speak or whatever anyone wishes to call it is something that should be taught or even tolerated in their classes at school, I would reply in this manner. When you are in for a job interview and you decide to speak and converse with a perspective employer with your newfound English skills I very much doubt that they will be impressed. Good solid communication skills and grammatically correct English is still the norm and will be one of the things that employers are looking for, especially in larger shops. A mom and pop shop with younger folks as the propietors might cut some slack, yet, they might also consider that interactions with customers in that manner might just cost them some business and that will be that. So regardless of what anyone might have to say, one way or the other, my statements above still are more likely to govern this application of English,...... at least for now. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Only a fool would support schools teaching anything but proper english, except in ESL cases.
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello Dave, to folks who think that text speak or whatever anyone wishes to call it is something that should be taught or even tolerated in their classes at school, I would reply in this manner. When you are in for a job interview and you decide to speak and converse with a perspective employer with your newfound English skills I very much doubt that they will be impressed. Good solid communication skills and grammatically correct English is still the norm and will be one of the things that employers are looking for, especially in larger shops. A mom and pop shop with younger folks as the propietors might cut some slack, yet, they might also consider that interactions with customers in that manner might just cost them some business and that will be that. So regardless of what anyone might have to say, one way or the other, my statements above still are more likely to govern this application of English,...... at least for now. Best regards, Allan
Reply:Originally Posted by Rock knockerIf you actually teach, you should know the difficulty of proving a negative.  A math teacher should be especially versed in this.  You alleged that there are many proofs that text-speak is taught or allowed in schools.  You have not supplied any evidence there of, except to try to push the proof onto me, which is logically weak, and have brought up second hand discussions.Again, please cite some specific and verifiable proof of which you speakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proving_a_negativeAbsolutely untrue.  You were providing someones opinion, and trying to use that as proof.  There are people who believe that the world is flat, does that prove anything?
Reply:Start with: "Consider the opposite, consider if Dave were right. Then I (your name) would be able to find evidence." If no evidence exists of Dave being correct, then Dave being right is false, the opposite is therefore true.
Reply:guys, if you want to argue then go to off topic. this is a welding forum, not an english grammer forum. out of 20 comments only one had anything with what Tyler was asking about.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by turkguys, if you want to argue then go to off topic. this is a welding forum, not an english grammer forum. out of 20 comments only one had anything with what Tyler was asking about.
Reply:Originally Posted by ncountylineso quit whining and buy your own.  consumables are cheap enough,  you should be able to afford to get your own if you're not happy with what is being provided.   obviously you are not used to spending several hundred dollars per semester for textbooks.  please enlighten me;  did you have to cough up anything for your 'college' education?
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloanis there anywhere i can receive free samples of tungsten to try on my own ?Did you ask your instructor? Maybe they have a reason to only offer one type. Maybe they feel you have enough to do building your skills without messing with different tungsten at this point and when the time is right they will open up what you have access to.
Reply:Hello tylersloan, I might just throw out a few thoughts for your consideration. Roughly 37 years ago I got my first experiences with the GTAW process. At that time there were essentially 2 types of tungstens used for the process, pure tungsten and 2% thoriated ones, pure was used for welding on aluminum, magnesium, and pot metals if you could get it to take. The 2% thoriated tungstens were used for just about everything else.Now we have a myriad of tungstens to choose from and as many claims for their positives and negatives. True, with the newer technologies that are available to the GTAW process (mainly inverter based machines) some of the tungstens have no longer proven to be the most desirable choice. Pure tungsten is actually recommended against for use on inverters. Even thoriated tungstens are less likely to be recommended/suggested. Most of these suggestions for one type as opposed to another are soundly based, yet, they don't specifically say that you cannot use a particular type of tungsten. In fact, in many cases the differences that the average " GTAW/TIG welding operator" would actually be able to see or differentiate between might be nill. In these cases the selection process might better apply to robotic application or automatic welding systems such as those designed for pipe/tube welding. When you are considering that your school is only using one type of tungsten remember that there are really very few noticeable situations that you can see as the "beginning" welding operator that will affect your ability to produce a welding bead. If your school were very specific in training for GTAW and you were spending a "lot" of time on this process and needing very in-depth training then I would agree that it could be beneficial to use all different sorts of electrodes and really concentrate on their specific differences. It would still be likely, as a beginner, that you would not be able to specifically pick out all of these minute details. My comments on your thread are not to deter you from educating yourself on various grades and types of tungstens, by all means learn as much as you can and research the subject thoroughly, just know that often times shops will select a particular type of tungsten for their work because they are anticipating a very specific use and have likely done research and developement based on their needs. Just my $.02 to add to this conversation. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Try welding supply.com, they will sell you one cup. I believe they only sell tungstens in ten packs. I can sell you less than ten tungstens, but shipping will probably kill the savings."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:The local welding store here sells cups, parts and tungsten individually - it's not cheap though.Maybe one near you does as well.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I will have to agree, If you end up with an assortment, don't waste time changing and switching cups and tungstens... You will cut into your weld time! My school put 3/32 red or purple tungsten with a #7 cup. My teacher said learn with this, and when you know what you are doing, then start messing with other stuff... good advice I guess.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Hello again tylersloan, I have replied on both on-topic and off-topic items regarding your initial posting. With regard to single offering tungstens within your program. This may or may not be a consideration in this particular case. Very often GTAW welding that is done by certain crafts will entail a single type of tungsten electrode and at the same time the folks doing the work will be involved with performing welds that don't readily put them in the proximity of tungsten grinders or other tools to address their contaminated tungstens and do re-sharpening/clean-up tasks and such. When this is the case the welder will often times prep a dozen or more tungstens by grinding them on both ends and storing them in a pouch or other similar receptacle. His/her helper will then go to the task of locating the necessary equipment to do the re-sharpening or other necessary preparation and return, hopefully before additional tungstens are required. This type of prep-work removes the colored band that would otherwise identify a particular tungsten electrode type. If this same sort of practice occurs in or at facilities that perform a multitude of welding on different applications that require different tungsten types there could be some issues that "might" arise from the inability to properly identify the tungstens. I believe that you can see where I am going with this train of thought. Is this relevant to your program? I certainly don't know and your instructor(s) can only really answer that question. One short response to another question of yours: why only one cup size? From my point of view, that is something that has more relevance than the tungsten type. There are differences with gas flow rates for different sizes of cups. The physical size of the cup can affect the ability of the tungsten to be walked correctly for applications where that technique is employed. Access to tight joints with physical restrictions to overcome could be an issue requiring different sizes/types.  Cup types/styles: conventional, gas-lense styles, clear pyrex types with or without gas-lenses, long/short etc. there are a lot of choices out there to deal with many different welding scenarios. Budgets "could" influence this area, yet personally, I would be more apt, as your instructor, to put more into this hardware than the different tungsten types. These are just a few more thoughts for your consideration. You are a big part of your education, take the helm and set your course for success. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:thank you for all the reply's for those who asked im running 1/16 tungsten .this gave more food for thought ill invest in cups and end caps i hate that rooster tail sticking out .i ordered free samples tonight should have plenty to play with
Reply:Man, hit up ebay. I purchase some consumables there............Tim Beeker.
Reply:When i went to college you had a supply list for a wp17 torch  cup, collet holder, collet, tail cap, tungstens,it had recommended size of tungstens as 3/32 from there you were on your own ..But since you went to your first class you should know form that you would be welding aluminum ...you were told how to figure cup size from the size of the recommended 3/32 tungsten There was a list of LWS outfits local to the schoolSo i went to the one close to the school and told the guy at the counter what i was doing and they had pre packaged kits for the studentsa basic kit had 2 green 3/32 tungstens and all the rest of your consumables ..it was all you needed to start the basic tig classthe next thing you would need for advanced tig class was 2% thoriated 3/32 tungsten's as you would be welding stainless steelall else was the sameso just bought the kit that had the consumables and the 2 green and 2 red and that got you all you really neededbut that was all you had to have and you could go hog wild from there if you wanted to that was up to you and your budgetthe school had no restrictions as to what you could use as long as it went into the wp-17 torch providedBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:At my school we pay for everything but gas. I haven't even thought of complaining. Maybe I will now. Waaahhhhhhh!!!!!!! I haven't questioned my teacher either. Maybe you will learn what all of the bigger cups and tungstens are for in your super duper mega advanced class. I am ok with the basic for now.
Reply:I totally agree with shovelon's suggestions.  Diamond ground products offers free tungstens, but probably only in one size (and a couple sticks of them):http://www.diamondground.com/request-a-sample/HTP is great for purchasing an assortment of small numbers of various different diameters and types of tungstens to try, because they stock a fairly wide range of different types to try out, sell them by the individual piece of tungsten, rather than by the 10-pack, like virtually every other place sells:http://www.htpweld.com/products/tung...odes/index.htmBoth places have great customer service and are very good to deal with, too.  Best of luck
Reply:When I was in school I got a complete kit. 17 torch, a medium gas lens and gas diffuser, and cups for both #4-8. It fits 3/32 tungsten. And a long tail.I went on eBay to some welding supply guy and bought a 50 piece set that came with cups from 4-12 for the medium gas lens and diffuser, 8 gas lenses, 8 diffusers, four 10 packs of 2% thoriated, and two sets of long, short, and button caps. I think it cost around $70 less shipping.An instructor gave me a gas lens and number 8 cup for 1/8" tungsten but not the tungsten. I don't think I've ever had a reason to use it yet though. If you go to that auction site though, make sure you don't order from China.
Reply:I would be willing to send the little stub tungstens I have. The ones that still fit in the torch but are to short to get many more sharpenings out of. They are great for the short cap and getting the torch in tight spots but I have gathered way to many over the years and have been just throwing them out lately.
Reply:I just tried a Ceriated for the  first time the other day and really liked it AC, and was the same as Red/purple on DC, Tranny and Inverter. Could be my new go to tungsten. If I had to choose one setup for everything it would be a 3/32" Ceriated with a small gas lens and a #8 cup for mild, SS and Alu.Previously I'd been using 1.5% Lanthinated (only because my supplier doesn't carry the 2%) but the Ceriated seems smoother on AC using the Tranny, and I didn't like the performance of the 1.5% Lanth on my Inverter at home (multi-nodules). I like the med. back cap and will cut new tungsten in half. Sometimes I'll pull out the #6 cup for clearance, but leave the reg at 15 CFH unless I need stupid stickout, e.g.: >3/4"I don't fault the school for not catering to, or even acknowledging,  personal preferences. Tungsten is $5 a stick individually at my local Airliquide so I don't expect any free samples. I'd send VPT a PM for some of those stubs, but only the ones that still show the colour code, otherwise you won't know what you like.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinI just tried a Ceriated for the  first time the other day and really liked it AC, and was the same as Red/purple on DC, Tranny and Inverter. Could be my new go to tungsten. If I had to choose one setup for everything it would be a 3/32" Ceriated with a small gas lens and a #8 cup for mild, SS and Alu.Previously I'd been using 1.5% Lanthinated (only because my supplier doesn't carry the 2%) but the Ceriated seems smoother on AC using the Tranny, and I didn't like the performance of the 1.5% Lanth on my Inverter at home (multi-nodules). I like the med. back cap and will cut new tungsten in half. Sometimes I'll pull out the #6 cup for clearance, but leave the reg at 15 CFH unless I need stupid stickout, e.g.: >3/4"I don't fault the school for not catering to, or even acknowledging,  personal preferences. Tungsten is $5 a stick individually at my local Airliquide so I don't expect any free samples. I'd send VPT a PM for some of those stubs, but only the ones that still show the colour code, otherwise you won't know what you like.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTI would be willing to send the little stub tungstens I have. The ones that still fit in the torch but are to short to get many more sharpenings out of. They are great for the short cap and getting the torch in tight spots but I have gathered way to many over the years and have been just throwing them out lately.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeYou must not live in The Empire either. They have a recently implemented program called: "No chillunz B gidnn leff ahine 'n chit"
Reply:Hahaha
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloanso my college only uses 1.5% tungsten that's it they wont give you anything else another person made a good point isn't college about learning how to work with other consumables ?my TIG rig i paid for through the college didn't have a choice on that ether its a good one 200amp anchor air cooled it came with a gas lens and #10 cup i can not see any reason for such a large cup other than when welding stainless .is there anywhere i can receive free samples of tungsten to try on my own ? what about different size cups ? i found a few sites but as far as cups i have to buy 10 or more and i don't need 10 cups of the same size maybe 2 of each size that's it
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGI suggest you get real comfortable with that #10 jumbo. I've been TIG welding for a living since 1978 and that's the cup I use more than any other, it works for just about anything. I use it to walk the cup on 1/2" carbon steel pipe socket welds and just about everything else, including alloy pipe.
Reply:i have gotten really good at walking a jumbo cup . i just put together a #9 flex head with a #7 cup and its way different to use honestly i like my bigger tig rig a little better .question how dose the tri-mix run ? i have found 2% way better than 1.5% i ordered some free samples from diamond ground  but since im not a customer they rejected my sample request .
Reply:Originally Posted by tylersloani have gotten really good at walking a jumbo cup . i just put together a #9 flex head with a #7 cup and its way different to use honestly i like my bigger tig rig a little better .question how dose the tri-mix run ? i have found 2% way better than 1.5% i ordered some free samples from diamond ground  but since im not a customer they rejected my sample request .
Reply:Hey TS, yes consumables are very expensive.  If you do not have the funds to purchase any, maybe you can offer your services to your fellow students to prep their test plates/pipes (grind their bevels, landings).  They can pay you in consumables.  Generally speaking nobody likes to grind.  Perhaps the instructor has some odd jobs around the shop; he could "pay you" in consumables.  Maybe, maybe not, it would be worth asking.Believe me, I truly feel your pain!  Just last week I had a guy helping out around the farm, house and shop.  He is a real motivated self-starter go getter.  He decided to gather up all the trash bags since he was headed to the dump he figured He take all the trash (trash bags) from the property.  What he didn't realize is that I had stored about $100.00 worth of tungstens, ceramic cups, gas diffusers in a trash bag and set it on my welding machine.  I had the items stored in the trash bags outside under a tarped shed and had just moved them inside my newly built shop to be placed in one of the 36 lockers I purchased for tools.Ya see, I feel your pain.  Let me know what your fellow students and instructor say about your offer.Some kind of Big Blue constant current welding machineAnother smaller yet, Blue machine (it's got wire in it)