some advice for a basic tig setup?

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Hello all.  I've got to fabricate some stainless frames/tables for a little side job.  The material, for the most part, is 304 1 1/2" square tubing... 1/8" wall.  I'd like to get a tig torch to run off of my ranger to do the work.  I'm open to suggestions.... I started looking at 200 amp, air cooled torches with a gas valve.  I have a flow meter and some gas line....still need to get an argon tank.  I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction with regard to...- filler metal type/size- tungstun type/size- where to start amperage wise...Also....the torches I'm looking at online....don't seem to come with the fitting I need on the end....I'd like to just clamp the stinger onto it.... I know I've seen that setup around here somewhere...Thanks for your help.  If I can't get this setup soon enough I'm just going to stick weld everything.  However I'd still like to have this available...I've got to use the tig machine at the union hall a few times and I really enjoyed it....especially how clean it is.Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:http://m.cyberweld.com/db200aairtig.htmlThis work?... I think the adapter I need is at the bottom of the page....Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:I think this is it.http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ot/105Z57.htmlReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Weldcraft wp-26 with a 12 line & gas valve for $73... I'd still need the adapter and the appropriate tungstens.....Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:Thanks David.... I was hoping you'd post.  I've seen a lot of your tig work on here...a lot done with a simple setup like this right?Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:One of these would work also. You want to look at the last 4 most likely with the gas valve if I understand what you are trying to do exactly. the CK torches are a bit less than the Weldcraft ones and take the same parts. I'm trying to remember the 3rd company many suggest, but I can't remember them this evening for some reason. CRS I guess...http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma..._907_1415_1028.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.  Those didn't come up when I searched for torches.  I stumbled across this tig welding calculator on one of millers pages.  They suggest - Polarity:1/16" (1.6 mm) DCEN (straight polarity) Historically, 2% thoriated tungsten (red band) Amperage Range: 100-140 prepared with a pointed end has been used. Today more people are switching to 2% ceriated or 1.5% lanthanum (gold band) due to their superior performance in most applications Gas: Argon Torch Cup Orifice Diameter: 1/4 - 3/8" (6.4 - 9.5 mm) Gas Flow Rate: 11 cfh or 20 psi Use ceramic cup when welding with less than 250 amps. Use water-cooled torch when welding with more than 250 amps. Filler Metal Diameter: 3/32" (2.4 mm)Sound about right?Last edited by WelderMatt; 12-31-2011 at 07:40 PM.Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:I get by with 90% of everything I need to do with 3/32" tungstens. The exception being alum where I jump up to 1/8" ( I could probably get away with most stuff using 3/32", but I find the tips do a bit better with a bigger tungsten and stay sharper longer doing 1/8" alum) I do have a few 1/16" pieces that I will go to with real thin stuff, but most times I'm not doing stuff thin enough to matter, and I'm a bit limited in what I have for small tungstens and parts.For 1/8" material I'd go with 3/32" myself. Most of my tungsten's are ceriated ( orange) or lanthanated ( gold). I was give a bunch by my old tig instructor a few years ago and I haven't seen a need to change. The school uses 3/32" red for mild steel and stainless. I'd also look into a gas lense for the torch and the cups and collets to match. About 80% of what I do at home is using a gas lense, ( have ones for both 3/32" and 1/8") The school teaches with standard collet bodies, so that's what I use there. The gas lense cups are #8's IIRC. I've got an assortment of standard cups I was given, but usually I only use them when needed or when I use the smaller tungsten's. I wouldn't worry too much about spare collets, collet bodies or cups at 1st. Unless you really F up, they hold up fairly well. If you want to get a spare no big deal, but I wouldn't waste the money on tons of these. Gas lenses are a bit easier to F up with the fine screen. I think the last ones I got came in a pack of 2 so that's what I bought. Tungsten you will be using up learning, so get several. You can get by with one, but it is nice to have two or three sharpened so you just swap out and keep going rather than stopping and sharpening every 30 seconds or so..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 again.  I'm looking around now for a torch....I got one with the high freq box I recently bought.....It's a weldtec 24v.  I had to look it up, it's only good for 80 amps max.  Sooo...think I'm  going to get a 26v and go with some 3/32 ceriated tungstens with 3/32 er308L.   Sounds like a plan....now..just gotta get some $ Something I noticed while shoping around....these numbers !7v...26v.....19fv.  I get the "v"....for valve...."f"...seems to be for flexible head., but what's with the numbers....there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason...17v 150 amps.....24v....80 amps....26v...200amps.  Are they just messing with me?Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:Any particular reason you are looking for the clamp on style TIG torch adapter?  I really prefer the twist lock style.  It just seems that the less exposed brass/hot material open the better off I am.  This is the one I use for the WP26.  You can stack a Tweco/Dinse adapter if needed.http://www.bakersgas.com/MSP195379.html Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:Hey Matt, Miller has an app for welding calculators, solid core, flux core, stick and tig!  It is a free app.Settings , wire size, electrodes, tungstens, type and size materials.  good stuff and handy to have.AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:No particular reason really.....those look awfully nice... I saw a similar one on eBay....made by profax.  It looked just like the covers I've seen on arc gouging torches.Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:Can't say why the numbering system is the way it is. Many companies use the same general model designations, IE a Weldcraft WP 17 is similar to a Weldtec WT 17. The CK torches use a different model designation, but the CK 150 will use the same parts.Note not all torches are the same however even if they use the same parts. The weldcraft WP17 is rated at 150 amps @ 60% while the CK 150 that will use the same interchangeable parts, is rated at 150 amps @ 100% duty cycle. A big difference. I don't see the duty cycle rating on the Weldtec torches. I'd probably go with a CK 150 torch if I had to replace my current WP 17 for that reason.Also just because a torch is rated at say 150 amps doesn't mean it melts as soon as you pass that point. I've used my WP17 up to 200 amps. The torch gets hot REAL fast because duty cycle is significantly reduced at higher amps. I wouldn't want to try and run say 250 or 300 amps thru a 150 amp rated torch however. I use thin tig gloves and when the torch is uncomfortable to handle, it's time to stop and let it cool. I doubt it will melt before my hand burns.That "80 amp" torch you have will probably do 100 amps no problem assuming it's rated at 60% like the Weldcraft's are. If it's rated at 100% like the CK torches ( CK-80 seems to be a similar torch to your current one), I might go as high as 130 amps with light gloves as my "safety stop" to keep an eye on how hot the torch was getting.Keep in mind the different size torches use different parts. The 9 series air cooled torches use the same parts as the 20 series water cooled ones do. The 17, 18 and 26 series all use the same parts. ( these are the units I'm most familiar with) the 9/20 series is a much smaller easier to maneuver torch than the bigger 17/18/26 torches. The CK80/WT24 looks like a very compact unit with no back cap for getting inside tight areas. Hence the low amp rating. Given a choice, I like the 20 series water cooled torches over say the 18 series the tech school uses. The down side is most of my stuff is all set up for 17/18 series parts. It's just easier to manage. If I go to the 20 series, I need to buy all new cups, collets, collet bodies and gas lenses. No worth the hassle at this time for what I do..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:I find it so interesting....how all the different welding niches have so much to learn.  They're own lingo...what parts are common, interchangeable.  How some manufacturers put they're own spin on things.  There are so many options....a lot of information to sort through....I can't wait to get this setup and start tigging things together.  Thanks for the help narrowing it down.  Thanks for the tip on the app also....I just downloaded it.Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:I'll check out the duty cycles also.  I figure a 200amp torch should? do pretty much anything I need to do....I haven't tried the little 80 amp one yet....might come in handy.  Stick welding is my bread & butter.... I haven't got any work big enough to justify the LN-25 just yet....but...when I do...it'll sure be nice What little tig I've done I thoroughly enjoyed....and I'm looking foward to more.Lincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:One more question....using this page as an example....if I bought a wp-26 and wanted to upgrade to a gas lens....I'd have to purchase.....the gas lens, gas lens insulater, and the nozzle.....correct?....newb question does the gas lens replace the collet & the collet body??... Just trying to make sure I'm clear on all this.....when I place an order I'd want to get all the pieces I need. http://m.cyberweld.com/wetigtoandpa2.htmlLincoln Ranger 250gxtLN-25Victor OA cutting torchMilwaukee mag-drillMilwaukee 6370-21 metal saw
Reply:Yes you will need the gas lens, the nozzle ( cup) and the insulator. The gas lens replaces the collet body. You still use the same collet the standard collet body uses however.I'd get the medium size gas lens shown in your link and the associated parts..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