He be Tiggin!

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I know this is another one of those learner welder posts, but I'm a little excited!I finally got some gas, and now had a chance to bust out the tig on my lift tig cigweld 170 inverter welder!I already realize I did some things wrong. first being buying these silly little disposable gas bottles. Damn they go fast. I burnt through one bottle in about 20 minutes.The second being, I'm pretty sure I had the welder setup DCEP if my memory is correct, so next time I'll swap it around and try again.First photo is of my awesome way of connecting the tig lead to the welder. My welder has dinse 50 plugs, and the $20 bargain hand piece has a dinse 25 plug. Easiest way I could see to wrap some copper wire around the tig's plug, and clamp it in the electrode holder. Seemed to work well.The other photo is a crappy shot of my first ever attempts at tig. Unfortunately the phone, and the lighting weren't agreeing with each other this morning, and this is the best shot I ended up with.Today I was practicing on a 5mm plate, at about 80 amps. (DCEP)First question I have so far, occasionally, the arc would flare up, and I'm not completely sure why that was. My guess would be surface contamination / rust burning off? I ground the plate clean with a flap disc before I started, however there were a few heavily pitted spots which may have escaped.Next time I'll get the welder set up properly and hook up the 2nd bottle of ridiculously expensive gas, and have another go.I can see a proper bottle of argon coming my way real soon. I just need to convince my wife I need it..... Attached Images
Reply:Steel TIG is DCEN. also whats your gas flow rate?Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Yea, I realised after I emptied the bottle.I don't know the flow rate, I was using one of those disposable SIP style bottles, without any kind of metering.I think now I see how really crap these bottles are (I have heard they were that bad, I just though it might be ok for occasional use), I'll have to get a full sized regulator, and hire a normal sized bottle.
Reply:with regards to wives and equipment..remember that forgiveness comes easier than permission.......i bought a ranger 8 and told my wife it was so we had power during a storm..i could care less if we had power during a storm...
Reply:You should only barely hear the gas coming out of the cup. If it's a woosh sound it's too high and you're wasting a ton of argon.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:im guessing you have a CIGWELD 170amp. They also made a CIGWELD 170HF meaning high frequency. the kit comes with a torch and the unit regulates the gas automatically ( with the help of the argon regulator). I think you should look on ebay chances are youll find a cheap one. I did a fair bit of work with one before upgrading to a lincoln. If your on a budget id go a Uni tig 200. Theyre about $1400 and have a 15amp single phase plug.see this threadhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=64005Last edited by nerdstar; 05-03-2012 at 12:13 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadwith regards to wives and equipment..remember that forgiveness comes easier than permission.......i bought a ranger 8 and told my wife it was so we had power during a storm..i could care less if we had power during a storm...
Reply:Originally Posted by nerdstarim guessing you have a CIGWELD 170amp. They also made a CIGWELD 170HF meaning high frequency. the kit comes with a torch and the unit regulates the gas automatically ( with the help of the argon regulator). I think you should look on ebay chances are youll find a cheap one. I did a fair bit of work with one before upgrading to a lincoln. If your on a budget id go a Uni tig 200. Theyre about $1400 and have a 15amp single phase plug.see this threadhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=64005
Reply:Post flow is important.It shields the weld at the end and cools the tungsten.  Especially important on SS.
Reply:Hey STIFFMAN, Get the argon for wife for mothers day !   I never deprive my wife of anything I want ! Got her a 1/2'' drive dewalt impact one year!
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOPost flow is important.It shields the weld at the end and cools the tungsten.  Especially important on SS.
Reply:Are you left handed or welding backwards?
Reply:Maybe the pic is upside down.
Reply:Originally Posted by tmgnewportAre you left handed or welding backwards?
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Good on ya Stiffy, now, just be prepared to pay bottle rental as well.....Make sure you shop around for the best deal, it may be a bit harder to bust them on price being a hobby welder but just remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease....
Reply:Yep, always push your TIG.  Tilt the cup just a bit in the direction of travel, but not too much.Practice, practice, practice.Last edited by tmgnewport; 05-04-2012 at 07:55 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Good on ya Stiffy, now, just be prepared to pay bottle rental as well.....Make sure you shop around for the best deal, it may be a bit harder to bust them on price being a hobby welder but just remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease....