How much gas?

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My son has been wanting a tig for a long time and finally got one this week and is now somewhat disgruntled as he's using so much more gas than his mig and says he's always having to sharpen the tip.  Is this normal?
Reply:I tell new tig students to get used to sharpening their tungsten. New guys frequently foul one when learning. Some times it seems they grind more than they weld... As you get better you will grind less.As far as gas in general flow rates are usually fairly close, say 15-20 CFH with both mig and tig. If you use a gas lens with tig, you can reduce your flow a bit more and still have good coverage. You don't mention if the machine has a solenoid for the gas or if it has a valve on the torch. I frequently hammer on the guys running the XMT's at the tech school to turn off the gas on the torch when done welding so they don't waste gas. The guys lucky enough to be using one of the Syncrowaves don't have to worry about that since the machine has a solenoid and turns off the gas automatically. Post up what machine he has and what he has the flow set at..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Actually a Mig machine will use MORE gas than a tig in my opinion......They are typically set to deal with a breeze  (MIG) and that's 30 CFH or more....The reason he has to grind the tungsten is he is most likely dipping it ..........  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:TIG can use a lower flow rate on the gas, but seems to go through it faster since the travel speed is a good bit slower? And the postflow eats it up too. Sounds pretty normal to meGive me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:That's why it's good to start on OAW, though then you're cleaning the tip!  it's almost more annoying than grinding and you'll stop quick.What I do with people I'm teaching is have them do ten/twenty minutes of dry runs with the torch and get used to maintaining a good distance.  Lincoln has some new fancy virtual reality gizmo that does pretty much the same thing.  You're going through the motions without blowing through gas or melting metal.Another thing to do is buy a whole pack of Tungstens and sharpen each one on both sides.  That way you can swap the tungstens out and focus on the task at hand for longer periods of time.  Just whatever you do, if you blob one end don't switch it around because you're most likely going to blob the other end and you won't be able to get it out of the torch to grind on.  just swap ends if you dip it and contaminate the tungsten.
Reply:I have been using that tungsten method for years now......Recently stopped because there are so many tungsten choices that I need that color band to identify them and only grind the 2% thoriated  on both ends now......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI have been using that tungsten method for years now......Recently stopped because there are so many tungsten choices that I need that color band to identify them and only grind the 2% thoriated  on both ends now......
Reply:I'm hoping to give tig welding a proper go myself soon. just as soon as I can get some gas.I tried with the disposable bottles, but you all know how they go.My welder is a little inverter, with lift tig and no solenoid. I've got a cheapo air cooled tig torch, with a screw valve on the torch. In an effort to add features, and hopefully save some gas, I am planning on making an external gas solenoid unit. I figure it shouldn't be that hard, and I have half the stuff to do it already (solenoid coming from ebay). We'll see how that goes.something I was wondering is how long a gas bottle is likely to last, in real world usage? The options I'm contemplating are a D sized cylinder (1.7m3, I don't know if AU and US sizes are the same) or an E sized cylinder (4m3)If my calculations are right, at about 10L/min a D size would last about 2.8 hours, and a E about 6.6 hours of run time. does that look right to you guys? TIG can get pricey real quick.I'm thinking of pushing myself to get an E sized cylinder, as its much better value on refills etc from the place I can buy from.Gosh, I talk too much some times
Reply:Originally Posted by stiffmanI'm hoping to give tig welding a proper go myself soon. just as soon as I can get some gas.I tried with the disposable bottles, but you all know how they go.My welder is a little inverter, with lift tig and no solenoid. I've got a cheapo air cooled tig torch, with a screw valve on the torch. In an effort to add features, and hopefully save some gas, I am planning on making an external gas solenoid unit. I figure it shouldn't be that hard, and I have half the stuff to do it already (solenoid coming from ebay). We'll see how that goes.something I was wondering is how long a gas bottle is likely to last, in real world usage? The options I'm contemplating are a D sized cylinder (1.7m3, I don't know if AU and US sizes are the same) or an E sized cylinder (4m3)If my calculations are right, at about 10L/min a D size would last about 2.8 hours, and a E about 6.6 hours of run time. does that look right to you guys? TIG can get pricey real quick.I'm thinking of pushing myself to get an E sized cylinder, as its much better value on refills etc from the place I can buy from.Gosh, I talk too much some times
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonMy advice to you is buy the largest cyl you can, and a small backup bottle, and a transfil whip. Fill the large bottle and then transfil the small. Run the large bottle dead, and then use the small until the large is filled. If the large bottle is fouled you can test the small bottle to confirm. For gas conserving use the smallest tungsten possible, with the smallest cup possible, with the least stickout possible, switching to a gas lens and cup, and the correct post flow. Set the flow high then low, then bump up flow just until you get satisfactory results and write the combination down for later review. Your bottles should last quite long.