If you do need a guide line a scrib is nice. Greg how does tig react to soap stone? I never used with TIG, just curious.

Care to explain the block tig master sieg?

Good question Vince --- I only use soapstone when I'm plasma cutting... so haven't TIG'd around it. The Sharpie pulls the arc offline as does a pencil mark.... I would think that the burning soapstone might just contaminate the weld. Best to just not have ANYTHING around a TIG weld I think.

The block is for a heat-sync......2.5lbs .75" thick at $3.10 per lb. = cheap tool. :)

I saw Mr TIG using it on his workbench and figured it couldn't hurt.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Welddotcom/videos


The Sharpie was for scale only. I'm so paranoid of contaminating TIG welds that I'm going to start holding my breath.

If I get a chance in between kids b-ball games and lodging in-laws I'll experiment with soapstone.

I just scored 15 pcs. of perfectly clean scrap 14 ga. cold-roll 3.75" x 38" for practice purposes so I soap a piece and test.

Just seeing the Sharpie reminded me to "say something" regarding their use.

It's the old "devil in the details".... and there's SO MUCH more to welding than just sticking two pieces of metal together.... But having done something for years -- and learning the Do's and Don'ts doesn't mean that we can all remember to tell somebody everything they've learned!


It took me awhile to learn that it's okay to use a hammer and tap the gap tight as I tack... because the gap opens just a little every time you put another tack in... and if you remember to tap the gaps tight - it makes for a LOT easier piece to weld and have it look good too!

:welder: :D

OK I tried with back purge today, I'm pretty happy, I think I need a touch more penetration.
I made up a tool to hold the pipes in alignment ready for tacking and that really helped.

Greg

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Looks good Greg --- nice color -- not much if any sugaring..... You suck as a photographer though! :mock:

Nice, thanks Greg, It's a reasonable camera, but I have no idea how to work it.

I am running 20 on the back purge, do you think thats enough? Mr :welder:

Greg

Nah --- way too much ---- chop it down to about 5 CFH....

If you want to -- you can juice it up just to push the air out but then cut it way back down. Doesn't take much. It's really more about removing or displacing the oxygen (air).

I just had to poke fun at your blurry photo.... Dude! I want to see those stacks of dimes you're laying down!

Thanks Greg, I will give it a try.

Greg