The Beauty of TIG!

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One one the reasons I decided to learn TIG was I wanted to weld tubing.  After months of practice with MIG, I was still not able to accomplish a weld that was worth taking a photo of or one that I could trust.I have attached two photos to show people interested in learning TIG how easy you can learn to weld tubing.Settings: 125A, 3/32 TUNG, 1/16" filler ER70S-2 with Gas Lens.This was my 4th attempt ever at welding tubing with TIG and I was happy with how it turned out.  Even though the welds still need more work (more filler, less undercut) I still have full penetration and in my opinion, and pretty stong weld.The first photo is .135MS Tubing welded to 1/16" MS channel.The second photo is not exactly tubing, but a solid 1" round cold rolled MS shaft that I wanted to test weld to see how well I could weld the 1" to the 1/16".I was using 125A, 3/32 TUNG, started with 3/32" Filler and then finished with 1/16" filler because the 3/32" was cooling the puddle too much.After the weld I looked at the bottom of the 1/16" channel and I had full penetration for the weld and no burn through.  Try that with MIG...  I know myself would have burned it all up.  TIG has so much control that I have never burned through once since I have started.Last edited by David R; 01-27-2008 at 06:40 PM.Reason: PicsBuild a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Yup..Thats what it looks like.. Awesome ain't it???...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:Hey,Definitely some nice progress there, specially for somebody that has only been at it 4 or 5 times.  Like you said, with more practice you will definitely be on your way.  Keep it up.My only concern and this is not meant to be directed at you only because I have read the same error on countless threads is the use of the term "full penetration".  What you achieved in your welds is complete joint fusion (full fusion).  Full penetration would mean that you actually have positive re-enforcement on both the welded side (obviously) as well as the inside of your tube. Anyhow like I said this isn’t to steal your thread or to put you down, the welds are looking quiet nice, I’m just throwing this out there because I have noticed it reoccurring on the forum. Have a good one,Paul
Reply:Originally Posted by malichOne one the reasons I decided to learn TIG was I wanted to weld tubing.  After months of practice with MIG, I was still not able to accomplish a weld that was worth taking a photo of or one that I could trust.I have attached two photos to show people interested in learning TIG how easy you can learn to weld tubing.Settings: 125A, 3/32 TUNG, 1/16" filler ER70S-2 with Gas Lens.This was my 4th attempt ever at welding tubing with TIG and I was happy with how it turned out.  Even though the welds still need more work (more filler, less undercut) I still have full penetration and in my opinion, and pretty stong weld.The first photo is .135MS Tubing welded to 1/16" MS channel.The second photo is not exactly tubing, but a solid 1" round cold rolled MS shaft that I wanted to test weld to see how well I could weld the 1" to the 1/16".I was using 125A, 3/32 TUNG, started with 3/32" Filler and then finished with 1/16" filler because the 3/32" was cooling the puddle too much.After the weld I looked at the bottom of the 1/16" channel and I had full penetration for the weld and no burn through.  Try that with MIG...  I know myself would have burned it all up.  TIG has so much control that I have never burned through once since I have started.
Reply:I'm in about the same boat.  I'm just crossing over from about every other process to tig for the first time.   I am so impressed with what these things will do.   The mig makes it easy to lay down a nice bead when it's dialed in just right.  But those stinking BB's!   I've never seen a cleaner form of welding in my life.  No smoke, no noisy machine, no stinking vegetable oil, no spatter and no BB's.  It's about the most refined form of welding I have ever experienced.   The reason I myself wanted one was because of it's wide range of materials.   I've never dreamed of welding copper or brass.  No solder!   This thing's got me wanting to do everything at once.  I really need to get one metal down and work on my technique.  Probably steel.   That is some top notch welding by the way.  You said you wanted to weld tubing.   Not being nosy but interested,  what sort of things you gonna build with the tubing?
Reply:that does look fair for a newbie, but... If you find that the wire size is cooling the puddle you should probably turn the amps up a tad. That is not near enough filler for that filet weld. On the other hand, you may also run sucsessive passes to build your weld to acceptable size. I don't mean to rain on your parade,and I know you are just starting out with tig, but you would bust out of a test with an inspector worth his salt with all that undercut at any stage of the weld.  Like I said, I hate to give negative comment but you should want to learn properly from the start so as not to have to break bad habits later.edit.. I am refering to the first pic of the short pipe welded to the square.Last edited by mooseye; 01-27-2008 at 09:44 PM.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:Is there a rule of thumb for tig welding a joint? I dont see why there would be as long as your fusing the joint and adding the filler back??HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanIs there a rule of thumb for tig welding a joint? I dont see why there would be as long as your fusing the joint and adding the filler back??
Reply:I have to state again that I am not trying to "DIS" anyones welding ability. And that does look very good for a 4th or 5th attempt.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:Well say .120 wall tubing do you want the bead size to be about that width? His second weld looks good, the first just has a fair amount of undercut, is that the only problem? I think hes doing good though were all learning, just like me.HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Originally Posted by William McCormick JrThat looks great. I don't like welding as something to bank your life on. But if my life is on the line because of a weld. I want it to be a TIG weld.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:They are pretty.  No spatter.  The bead is concave.  Its hard to get a flat bead with TIG at first, but it does matter.   Undercutting has been mentioned.   It is there. The bead should be flat across the top of the fillet, like the third side of a  triangle.  Its a great start, do it again and show us more.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.