Scratch start tig

admin

Good evening gentleman. Well, as the title suggests I'm curious to the process of scratch start tig. Pros, cons and any info would really be much appreciated. Sorry if this has been discussed and I missed the post. Thanks
Reply:hello, you can try scratch tig, but after a little time you will want a HF or a lift. for a begginer like me it is very frustrating to grind the electrode every time and very(veeeery) often. i begin tig welding about a mounth ago and now i want to buy a HF machine with pulse,post flow etc. for someone who want to see what tig is, scratch tig it's ok, for someone like, me who wants to learn welding tig(self learner) hf or lift tig it's a MUST.
Reply:I often use a scratch start setup, but I don't touch the electrode to the work to start the arc. Instead, I swipe my filler through the gap between the electrode and work and start welding.Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:scratch start TIG is a great way to get into DC TIG (steel/stainless only for the most part) without a lot of investment. You can get a torch, regulator, tungstens and other accessories on line inexpensively. For scratch start I wouldn't hesitate to invest in cheaper Chinese stuff, you will probably outgrow it soon enough anyway. I got everything I needed except for the argon bottle for around $120. You can do quite a bit with scratch start and it is great for learning. Jody at weldingtipsandtricks.com has many videos on this process. But Cristi80 is correct, you will likely get the bug and want a full on TIG machine with a pedal and HF start.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I'd really like to just try it out. Another trick in my bag type deal.
Reply:Originally Posted by manningI often use a scratch start setup, but I don't touch the electrode to the work to start the arc. Instead, I swipe my filler through the gap between the electrode and work and start welding.
Reply:Worked years in the field where every day you could be on a different machine.  Don't be scared of scratch start.  Its still the only option on some  beastly rectifiers.  Even now with the availability of lift arc, most still initially set to scratch....individual welders may then change over if they want.  Never had a tungsten inclusion that I didn't know to grind out and restart.
Reply:I wrote this thread on another forum many years ago...http://www.earlycj5.net/xf_cj5/index...ing-101.62250/It sheds a lot of light on the subject.Rich
Reply:I have done some scratch start and I enjoyed it. Now that I have a HF tig welder I dont use it much though. Great for getting your feet wet if you are just starting out and already have a DC welder.Pros-cheap-minimal equipment-operate off any DC stick welderCons-DC only-no shielding when snapping out of weld-go through tungstens fasterSent from my S4 using Tapatalk1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks gentleman for the insight. Steelsurgeon, that's just the info I was looking for. Thank you sir.
Reply:The is also a sticky in the MIG/TIG/Stick/ sectionhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38106Sent from my S4 using Tapatalk1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:I've been doing some tig in school with a HF rig. I'd like to continue practicing but can't afford anything in the HF range of machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by FlashedI've been doing some tig in school with a HF rig. I'd like to continue practicing but can't afford anything in the HF range of machines.
Reply:I'm in the process of securing one and that's what got me to thinking on the subject matter.
Reply:It might be cheaper for you look at a Everlast 160sth or similar inverter since you dont already have a DC welder.I spent about $350 on a 125cf tank of argon, torch, and consumables/etc. Add $200-300 for a DC stick welder and you are well over the price of a new inverter. A old stick welder will likely last longer and be more reliable though.Sent from my S4 using Tapatalk1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan