Tungsten & filler wire type & size

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Hey everyone, I am trying to setup my harbor freight dc inverter for tig welding on 1/8 to 1/4 inch mild steel. I have never tig welded before &  taking a class is not an option right now, so I need some help from some experienced tig welding people. I have some mig, oxy acetylene, & stick welding experience, but no tig. What size & type tungsten electrodes do I need for mild steel of the size I mentioned above? My welder came with a Abicor Binzel ZZM tig torch, it accepts 1/16 to 1/8 inch electrodes.Also what type filler wire for mild steel? Can I use my current mig bottle of 75/25 argon/co2 blend to weld the mild steel?Any tips to help me would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:Which welder? I don't think anything at harbor freight will let you do 1/4"Tig welding requires 100% argon.3/32 seems to be the most common tungsten size that most people use. I personally like it over 1/16th and never tried 1/8.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I agree with gamble. Start with 3/32" tungsten, sharpened to a point. I use 2% Thoriated (red tip) for DC TIG, although there are other choices. Mild steel uses ER70s filler. For your uses, the numbers after the 'S' don't mean much. Try some 3/32 filler and see how you like it. Some like 1/16 filler, but I only use that for thinner stuff. Really it boils down to what you like. And 100% argon is a must.
Reply:Thanks for replying, my welder is the 98233, You are right, the capacity for steel for this welder using tig setup is 3/16 inch steel. Also I noticed that there are several types of electrodes,  Pure Tungsten, 2% Ceriated Tungsten, Thoriated Tungsten, Lanthanated Tungsten, WX Proprietary-Compound Tungsten, etc. Any suggestions on which  type would be best for a beginner like myself?
Reply:Thanks welds4d, You posted before I could reply, what is the advantage of that electrode over pure tungsten, which seems to sell for a cheaper price?
Reply:The thoria in the tungsten gives it a higher current carrying ability, as is true for all the alloyed tungstens. Pure tungsten is generally used on sine wave AC machines for aluminum, etc. because the tip balls properly. You can visit the Diamond Ground Products website ( www.diamondground.com ) and look around there. They have a guidebook that explains all the different varieties of tungsten and their uses. Good Luck!
Reply:Has anyone here ever tig welded, or I guess tig brazing is what I should ask, using sil-foss? I am wondering if I could use my tig torch instead of my oxy/acetylene torch for small brazing jobs?
Reply:It's certainly possible to tig braze rather than use an OA torch. I've done it once or twice simply because I didn't have an OA torch available for a small repair on an item that was brazed.I see some advantages doing this in certain situations, but most times it's simply easiest to use my brazing rig and be done with it. If I had to repair something intricate then I might think tig where I have better heat control since I don't have a jewelers torch..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:Thanks DSW, that's what I was thinking, I have also seen video using the tig torch for tacking small metal parts together, which would replace the need for a spot welder being used for tacking drain pans & such in the corner joints. I think I'm liking tig better the more I learn about it!
Reply:OK, I ordered some 3/32" 2% Thoriated Tungsten electrodes, extra nozzles,collet bodies, collets, &  2 lbs of ER70s filler. I already have a regulator so  all I need now is another bottle for argon & I should be set to try my hand at this. Hopefully I can strike an arc in a couple of weeks. Can someone give me an idea of what to set my regulator pressure at  to weld 1/8 inch steel, with the above mentioned combo electrode & filler rod?
Reply:You should be using a flowmeter, not just a pressure regulator. Try around 25 cfh to start. You may be able to get by with less as you get the hang of things. If you need more stick-out of your tungsten to be able to see, then increase it some. The flow rate doesn't really change with base metal thickness, you just need to make sure that you're getting good shielding of the puddle, etc. Oh, and remember that you hook up your ground clamp to the positive welder terminal for tigging, where stick is usually negative ground.
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsThanks for replying, my welder is the 98233, You are right, the capacity for steel for this welder using tig setup is 3/16 inch steel. Also I noticed that there are several types of electrodes,  Pure Tungsten, 2% Ceriated Tungsten, Thoriated Tungsten, Lanthanated Tungsten, WX Proprietary-Compound Tungsten, etc. Any suggestions on which  type would be best for a beginner like myself?
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4dYou should be using a flowmeter, not just a pressure regulator. Try around 25 cfh to start. .
Reply:Here they are, my first welds with tig,, I know need lots of work, 100% argon,regulator set @ 18 , 3/32 - 2% Thoriated Tungsten electrode, amps 90, ER70s filler, on 1/8 inch steel. Any suggestions? Attached Images
Reply:Make more. Forget the filler for awhile. Just get used to moving the puddle around in a straight line. Adjust your amps and see how the puddle changes. Adjust your travel speed and see how the puddle changes. Experiment. Practice. Push that puddle around.
Reply:Thanks, I will practice some more tomorrow , this is my second attempt. Turned the regulator up 24, I  will have my flow meter this week, then I will  start using it. Attached Images
Reply:Just got done pushing the puddle around, working on having more control with the torch, any suggestions  are  welcome! Attached Images
Reply:How long are you waiting between your passes?I'm not even close to being bad at welding, but I've always heard a lot of the heat that the metal retains and how that affects your weld.Hobart Handler 125 #500495Miller Diversion 165 #907005 (tig learning box)
Reply:Not waiting at all between passes,I just lay one  down, look at  it & start  the  next one.  I am not burning  the  electrode up now, like I was when I  first  started. I ain't giving up, but  I  know  I have a lot of  practicing to do! Attached Images