TIG Getting started

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I thought I'd knock this up since TIG seems to be flavour of the month.So you want to learn how to weld with TIG?   Where to go from here?The power supply:  How about we start at the start.  Don't get a flash one, a cheap 120 to 140 amp DC machine is more than enough. For welding stainless steal (S/S) and lighter carbon this is heaps of power. In fact you could go a little smaller if your really tight for money.DO NOT buy one with the bells and whistles,  you will not learn how to weld using this type of machine.It needs the scratch start as this is how you'll learn to sharpen a tungsten, by the time you've got the welding sussed out you'll be an expert sharpener   I would recommend a bench grinder for this job, but if the budget won't go that far so be it, an angle grinder for you.  But get the soft touch disc and keep it for tungsten While your humming and harring over what machine to get, go and buy a pair of TIG gloves and a stick of wire. 2.4mm (1/16?)  Now take that wire and start practicing feeding it through your fingers AND USE BOTH HANDS.  This is the single most important part of TIG welding.  DO NOT cut the wire in half, this will not help you, just practice practice practice feeding that wire.  Do it till you don't think about it then keep doing it just to make sure.Gotta go, driving to Kalgoorlie west Australia now for a shutdown, but will pick this back up and add to it tonight.I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:I'm gonna go cook up some popcorn.This looks like it's gonna get interesting, in a Dave Gingery sorta way. Rex
Reply:Thanks for posting up your very helpful advice man cant wait to see the rest
Reply:Well, it sure started with a bunch of Bull $hit.Hope it gets better from here.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIHope it gets better from here.
Reply:Ive owned a TIG for 2 years (still classify myself as a beginner. Always learning) and believe that if i brought a small cheapo machine, i would have been looking to upgrade at about the 8month to 1 year mark. ( very possibly sooner )i do use HF start but have also used scratch.  I became a good sharpener by practicing t keep a proper short arc length.I don't use pulse, but have been paying with it recently on 1.2mm SS and a little on ALU after recent threads.I believe in buying something you will keep and will last.I have a CIGWELD AC/DC 200 TIG( commonly known as a TA200 ).  I also have a CIGWELD 210 MIG and a  HYPERTHERM PowerMax 45.I have owned the MIG now for over 12 years and looking to upgrade to a bigger machine ( 3 phase pulse or engine multi.  haven't decided yet), yet i will keep the 210 as it has and always will be a good machine and uses easy to find Tweko consumables.i will add that i found i got better results welding ALU and SS after switching to a gas lense setup. ( maybe just me  )Last edited by LarryO; 08-16-2009 at 03:27 AM.
Reply:Gotta go, driving to Kalgoorlie west Australia now for a shutdownNot a good way to celebrate your b'day
Reply:But I've had a few So some more should be tomorrow I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehunt  But I've had a few So some more should be tomorrow
Reply:Part 2:Now that you've got the machine home it's time to play.Get some light gauge steel, something around 2mm thick. Practice some fusion welding with this. Burn holes through it.  Do corner to corner welds without wire. Max the machine out, turn it right down. Experiment.Once you've had a go at this is then time to introduce the filler, take your time and make sure your melting it all, nice steady wire feed here.  It's all about getting the rythuim going.....I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOI believe in buying something you will keep and will last.I have a CIGWELD AC/DC 200 TIG( commonly known as a TA200 ).  I also have a CIGWELD 210 MIG and a  HYPERTHERM PowerMax 45.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmI'm not sure if it could get any worse
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehuntHow's that?
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehuntThat's wonderful. How heavy is that AC/DC 200?How long would it take you to nip to the top of a boiler to do a two minute welding job THEN go back down to the bottom to carry on with the other job you where doing with that wee machine?I know a lot of contractors that bought the AC/DC 200 Miller, everyone of them regreted it.  Not because of the machine, but the weight of the sucker when on site.How many of the 'by the best' team have a back up machine?  Is it another top of the rang rig?  And before you say it, the best do break down.In the back of the ute coming into this job was five LT300's.  I've got the Miller 150 Maxstar (although it's out on loan) V200T  V260 blah blah blah.If your a hobbyist or a small time user, or even just getting into this game you have to start with the basic's.  I can pick up ANY DC power source, bolt a TIG hand piece on the front and weld to ASMElX. Can you?