Tig Welding - Not so easy

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I had my first test run on a Miller Tig welder yesterday. I visited a friend at his envelope warehouse and he was kind enough to give me the grand tour as well as play with his welding equipment (im green to welding). First he made a quick overview of the process and then demonstrated his fine work for me. After watching a few passes he handed me the gun and rod and walked away saying \'play nice....oh yeah, dont touch the table or ZAP!\' I put my lid on and began to play around.    First I practiced starting an arc, because ive never done this, it took me awhile to get the correct distance without touching the work with the tungsten. After awhile I started to get the feel of the pedal, slowly, then pounding it to watch it burn through the metal (1/4\'\' scrap). I workled withit until I found my desired puddle and began to try and work in the rod. I was VERY rough at first, continuously sticking the rod to the work. But after about an hour I had a DECENT bead going. I definitly need ALOT of work. But it was the most exciting thing ive done in a very long time! Tig is definitly not as easy as some people make it look!Rob
Reply:I think its very easy.. Practice Practice Practice!!!!!!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Please, don't say stuff like that!  My Miller Syncrowave 200 was delivered this afternoon and I've never welded an inch in my life!!!  It's OK, I have all of our horrible northern Ontario winter to practice (we had a few snow flakes yesterday).
Reply:Originally Posted by x1riderPlease, don't say stuff like that!  My Miller Syncrowave 200 was delivered this afternoon and I've never welded an inch in my life!!!  It's OK, I have all of our horrible northern Ontario winter to practice (we had a few snow flakes yesterday).
Reply:Originally Posted by PivotLokWell, you're starting with a nice machine so you won't be able to blame it for any mistakes.
Reply:It gets easier with time.  Just weld and weld.  You will only get better.  Plenty of opinions available here.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I O/A welded for years.  Never held a TIG torch.  When I got my 200DX, it took me about 15mins to learn TIG.  My point is, if you're planning on getting a TIG machine, pick up a O/A torch and practice (no better teacher out there).  TIG will come easy.
Reply:Originally Posted by x1riderThanks, I purchased some scrap metal from someone I know today and will try the machine over the next few days.  I'll probably be too embarrassed to post pictures of my first attemps though!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by ducJust remember with tig that the cleaner the better.  The other processes you can get away wit it being a little bit dirty but it will come back to haunt you in tig.  A grinder and brake cleaner or Acetone become your new best friend.Post the pictures even of your bad welds.  We all started there and I'm still there.  The advice from experts will save you alot of pain.  By the way, after tigging mig comes alot easier.  At least to me.Duc
Reply:Don't worry man we have all been there.  At least you were smarter then me.  I bought the tig and the first time I used it I forgot to put the cermanic collar on the torch so I manage to melt my first tungsten to the gas nozzle part.  I'll try to find the picture of that stupid mistake. Originally Posted by x1riderThanks for the kind words!!!  I had a look at the welder last night and there is a bit of confusion (already) on setting it up.  The front control (the big lever) has 3 positions (1. pic of a TIG torch, 2. pic of a TIG torch with AC written,  3. pic of a stick torch), the description is given as DCEN, AC, DCEP.  Am I right to assume that 1 is DCEN, 2 is AC, and 3 is DCEP?Then there is another selector button that allows you to switch between stick and TIG.To practice passes on mild steel, would I put the selector lever to 1 and then the selector button to TIG?  The instructions are very vague.Goddamnit I feel ignorant right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by ducDon't worry man we have all been there.  At least you were smarter then me.  I bought the tig and the first time I used it I forgot to put the cermanic collar on the torch so I manage to melt my first tungsten to the gas nozzle part.  I'll try to find the picture of that stupid mistake.You will want it on the tig dc setting for doing mild steel and the button selection to tig.  Remeber to turn on the gas otherwise you will do the same as me.