Tig 102

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Ravenworks

Not my machine, this thing is way above my pay-grade!
It's the one at my company, my boss is kind enough to let me use it and patient enough to teach me.
He's a great guy, let me drive his Bentley convertible yesterday!

The AWD Torque Monster

He's only letting you play with that machine cause he knows how good it can shock you............don't ask me how I know.

[RussMurco]

Ya know, his sense of humor would let that happen and he'd probably take pictures!!!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Sieg

The AWD Torque Monster

He's only letting you play with that machine cause he knows how good it can shock you............don't ask me how I know.

Yep, always double check your tungsten.

[mitch_04]

So, I've read this entire thread and still haven't gotten better at TIG welding, what a crock.


Oh, you are supposed to practice as well? Hmm...


Anyways, I've just started TIGing with my main effort being sheet metal for body work. I'm trying to cut down on the weld finishing and warping. Any tips along those lines?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by mitch_04

Anyways, I've just started TIGing with my main effort being sheet metal for body work. I'm trying to cut down on the weld finishing and warping. Any tips along those lines?

Yes --- Practice a lot and learn how to get better with a hammer and a dolly...

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by mitch_04

So, I've read this entire thread and still haven't gotten better at TIG welding, what a crock.


Oh, you are supposed to practice as well? Hmm...


Anyways, I've just started TIGing with my main effort being sheet metal for body work. I'm trying to cut down on the weld finishing and warping. Any tips along those lines?

It's all in the prep and procedure. You will get better with time.
I have my prep together that I can put a patch in with no filler and very little finish work. This is after years of practice.

Get a few older scrap sections of the same thickness you will be doing and play with it. You'll find that it's all in material placement, fitment and heat control. Also try different temps and tungsten point sizes.

I run a low temp and a super sharp point on my tungsten.

picture is a patch on my old nova project. gap was .010 in, 4 tacs and no filler.

[mitch_04]

I have been using 1/16 tungsten and filler, but it just doesn't seem quite right. I think the rods too big, tried some twisted up MIG wire (all we have is .030 wire) which was better.

I would like to try the .040 and .030 tungsten and filler, seems like it would be easier to control the heat. I have been practicing on pieces of sheet metal (16 & 20) and, while this sounds "cocky" it's not, it went very well and almost seemed easy. Didn't burn through, decent pattern, worked the way I hoped it would.

Fast forward to trying it on the car. A '78 Trans Am I'm restoring for a customer. Tried it on a quarter skin and couldn't lay a bead to save my life. Grabbed the mig and decided I would practice on my own project until I got better. Unfortunately, it will be a while before I have time to do more "real" practice on my pickup. I'm very good with MIGing on sheet metal, but I still get those little "dents" from warping. Was doing short tacks and tapping in between, letting it cool... just hoping the TIG will help out a big.

I'm trying to explain what I am trying to learn a little better, but the pain meds I'm on from my surgery are making it difficult. I'd appreciate everyones techniques and specs on their sheet metal welding. Tungsten, filler, and gas cup size, amperage ratings, and pulse settings (if you have them).

[Ketzer]

I've been at this off and on for several months and just not making headway. Too much heat or too slow speed or just poor technique. I went over and got some hands on lessons on a buddies machine (similar to mine just his is older) and right out of the gate I was getting nice welds, good penetration, etc. I have been afraid to blame my machine because I acknowledge being a beginner. Turns out my machine may have an issue.


Jeff-

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Ketzer

I've been at this off and on for several months and just not making headway. Too much heat or too slow speed or just poor technique. I went over and got some hands on lessons on a buddies machine (similar to mine just his is older) and right out of the gate I was getting nice welds, good penetration, etc. I have been afraid to blame my machine because I acknowledge being a beginner. Turns out my machine may have an issue.


Jeff-

That's interesting. Wouldn't it pee you off if all this time you thought you stunk and it's the machine!


There's some good info videos about the correlation between travel speed and heat. Most "newbs" automatically think they should turn the heat down and slow their travel speed…. and that actually puts more heat into the piece.

The "masters" (which is NOT ME) can crank the heat up and pick their travel speed up and have a far smaller HAZ (heat affected zone). I've done this - and it works - but you have to have mastered the torch and fill pretty well in order to pick up the speed.