What criteria do you use for choosing tig welding, new to tig

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On mild steel when what would make you choose tig . There has been so much talk about it I bought a tig and tried it not sure when to use it and why. I bought a Lincoln PTA -26V tig torch 3/32 2% thoriated tungsten ER 70S-2 1/8 filler wire 100% argon at 20 cuft ? On gage Using on a Lincoln dc400Set on dcen about 2 on the amp dial gage reads zero when not welding I have never tigged before and my welds look less than satisfactory I know you like pictures so here are some Therese were just for practice on 3/16 and 1/16 I think knee deep in steel and can't find any 1/8 Now my observations - suggestions 1 get an auto darkening helmet 2 get smaller tungsten and wire this seemed to large for the thin steel when I turned down the amps it would not arc well but looked hot at least if it was mig I would call it hot . The last photo is with a miller cp 300 mig with a 22a wire feeder .035 wire co2 17 volts and about 1.75 on wire feed dial . Do you use the same shade lens in your helmet as for mig or stick? Could I use this tig on my Dayton ac dc model 3z564 it's old early 80's and I can take it to the heated shop to practice also the amp settings are more familiar to me. Thanks for your input or just letting me talk
Reply:your shade will always be changing and to answer your other question yes you can tig off of your Dayton if its AC/DC go to a local welding shop and buy a scratch start tig torch but buyer beware you cant weld AL or magnesium with it your stuck to DC current only in scratch start tig.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:It is scratch start the Lincoln is dc I did not buy the foot pedal Thanks
Reply:When to use tig welding? When ever you want or are told to. I like to tig most things, unless its a heavy part that needs a large weld.You shouldn't have any trouble welding with the 3/32" tungsten, I've welded down to .035" stainless with 3/32" tungsten. The filler wire needs to be picked more carefully. I usually like 1/16" or 3/32" for dipping and 3/32" or 1/8" filler for walking the cup. Most of the time you want filler wire with smaller diameter than the material thickness.Helmet shade depends on amperage/welding process/lighting.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I only use tig as a last resort, usually on very thin materials. When you do welding as a business, you want the fastest method that works correctly. So if it's not absolutely required, any other process is faster.