Tig/Heliarc Different?

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OK, so I'm trying to figure this all out, is Heliarc just an older term for Tig?I got my "new" welder the other day and need to learn how to set it up and use it. Its a Miller 330A/BP, it came with a foot pedal, and a water cooled tig torch but no cooler, it also has a flow valve for "CO2" ..  I originally just wanted a stick machine for larger stuff since I have a Mig, but this was around and I liked the price and possibilities. Now until I have the time to build a water cooler for the tig torch I can get a used air cooled Heliarc torch cheap. So am I confused or are these two processes the same? Also I should just be able to get an electrode holder and do regular stick right?Can you use the torch for this?Can anyone recommend a good place for me to learn the basics of Tig (books, web sites) I can get free courses at our CC but I don't think they have any welding classes That way I don't have to bother all of you with the basics! I feel like this is stuff I should know before I post here.Thanks so much!MarkLast edited by stumpster; 05-21-2006 at 03:17 PM."Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"However "lack of planning on my part may constitute an emergency on yours"
Reply:Originally Posted by stumpsterOK, so I'm trying to figure this all out, is Heliarc just an older term for Tig?I got my "new" welder the other day and need to learn how to set it up and use it. Its a Miller 330A/BP, it came with a foot pedal, and a water cooled tig torch but no cooler, it also has a flow valve for "CO2" ..  I originally just wanted a stick machine for larger stuff since I have a Mig, but this was around and I liked the price and possibilities. Now until I have the time to build a water cooler for the tig torch I can get a used air cooled Heliarc torch cheap. So am I confused or are these two processes the same? Also I should just be able to get an electrode holder and do regular stick right?Can you use the torch for this?Can anyone recommend a good place for me to learn the basics of Tig (books, web sites) I can get free courses at our CC but I don't think they have any welding classesThanks so much!Mark
Reply:Thanks zapster, I kinda thought that using the torch was a no no.the "C02" is the inlet for the shielding gas to the torch..(now you need argon..helium tanks and a mixer)
Reply:the CO2 adapter ..well thats just a common name for the gas(whatever gas/mixture it is) inlet..you need shielding gasthe last place i was at had helium and argon tanks going into a mixer built by smiths welding equipment..you could do 100% helium or100% argon or a custom mix of the gas..(i liked 38% argon 62% helium for aluminum... )a little more argon with a touch more heat = the cleanest aluminum welds in my book with good penetration..hint hintand the torches i used were made by weldcraft and even had a decal on the torch that said " genuine heliarc"dont cross thread the torch cable end in the machine ...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:You have a fine machine.  You never use co2 for tig (heliarc).  I use a gear pump and tank with water and antifreeze solution for cooling the torch.  When I worked in job shops, we ran city water through the torch and into the drain.  That's the best way except you need to protect from a freezing situation.
Reply:OK, I gotcha now!  Man is this thing big  I knew it was a bigger machine but when I got it in my garage "wow" 1000+lbs, you should have seen me getting it off the truck   Just WOW!  I'll have to take a pic of it next to my mig You never use co2 for tig
Reply:theres a flow meter on the machine?? there should only be a fitting for the gas hose....take the meter off if its there  can you post a pic so we can see W.T.F. is going on?...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:there's a flow meter on the machine
Reply:http://www.millerwelds.com/education...pamphlets.htmlhttp://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/gtawbook.pdfThe second one is a pdf file of the basics of tig.BTW, Heliarc is just a brand/trademarked term.  I think ESAB owns that name now.  TIG is the generic term.  GTAW is also the generic term from a different standards group.Looks like you got one in pretty good shape.  About the only thing that goes bad on one of those machines is the person holding the torch...Last edited by smithboy; 05-22-2006 at 07:42 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:As I was told ; Linde invented TIG. THEY trademarked the name "Heli-Arc" . ( like Coca-Cola ) At first the only inert gas they used was Helium. So, HELI-Arc. Linde also invented the "submerged Arc process " &called it "Union Melt". (For  UNION CARBIDE, the owner of Linde )  but did little with it , then Lincoln pounced on it , and was in love with it ever since .
Reply:Originally Posted by stumpstersorry, I think I was mistaken. It's attached to the hose that goes to the (solenoid valve?) then to the torch. Its an older Harris that has co2 on one side of the meter then Ar on the other so that is for argon then, huh.
Reply:looking at the pic again...your timer is inbetween the solenoids..on the machine at the shop its in the back (sorta)ahhhhh same thing but diffrent... ...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:Thanks Guy's! So the timer is for the gas, I would assume(yes I know what they say) it controls the water flow also then?As for the  Tungsten Electrodes is the Ceriated or Thoriated better(for general use)? It looks like they will both do everything!Oh, do I understand it right, the water (is there a cable in the line?)carries the negative to the torch and the clamp is the positive(DCEN)?Thanks smithboy for the links! I am amazed at how much info miller makes available, I never realized!Now as far as leads so I can stick with this, a 300amp holder and a #1/0 cable should be OK right, and does it make a difference if the cable has a paper insulator? I've read the past post on this but that was never brought up.As stated before I didn't plan on getting a tig machine(this soon anyways), I was looking for a good stick but when I found this well you know how it goes  especially since I picked it up for about the same money as a nice AC/DC stick!Looks like I have a lot more to learn then I bargained for(I just got my O/A set up also )Again thank you all!Last edited by stumpster; 05-22-2006 at 02:07 PM."Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"However "lack of planning on my part may constitute an emergency on yours"
Reply:you have a good machine there no doubt..the one at the shop is the same but slightly diffrent..yr? there is only one way to hook up the torch and the ground so its really a no-braineryes the power cable is in the water...i like the 2% (red end)get a bench grinder for the tungeston only!!!  i started tigging by fusing stainless togetherit is the best way to "get used to it" in my bookif you need stainless scrap send me a private message and we'll see what we can come up for ya... absorb and enjoy!...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:You've been a great help zapster thanks!get a bench grinder for the tungeston only!!!
Reply:i'm not the brightest bulb in the circut but it takes alot of bulbs to light the joint up...yeah the wheel will contaminate the tungston if the kidzz decide to grind something up while your not lookin' ...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.