Couldn't help myself, new tig welder!

[overpaid]

I got 100 dollars off for applying for a HD credit card, 12 months 0% and Lincoln has a 400 dollar rebate. So 2000 for this tig welder. I have always wanted to learn and have a tig so for me a guy that complains a lot about money lol, here was another smart move

Square Wave® TIG 200 TIG Welder

Square Wave TIG 200 welder for AC/DC stick and TIG welding uses Square Wave Technology.

www.lincolnelectric.com

 

[77cruiser]

Nice I'd like one myself, if I had any projects. I always wanted a Syncrowave 250, but settled on a 30 year old DialArc with HF.

 

[68Chevele]

Looks like some fun beginning right there. Congrats on the new welder.

 

[overpaid]

Thanks! Looking forward to one day piping a turbo kit but in the meantime just practicing

 

[Molly's 70]

That looks like a decent machine. 220v, Bottle of argon. I use 3/32 thoriated tungsten for everything. (red stripe)

Get some aluminum & steel to burn up, AC for alum. DC for steel.

 

[Jasons69Chevelle]

I’d like to get one of those

 

[77cruiser]

Molly have any tips?

 

[Molly's 70]

Good video. That's exactly how I do it. I don't even think about it anymore.

One tip I have. Do not remove the filler rod out of your argon shielding. It will oxidize immediately, then you introduce that contamination to your weld pool.
This is especially true with aluminum, magnesium and titanium. Take advantage of the after-flow feature to keep the weld protected while it cools. Usually, 5 seconds or so should be fine.
Adjust the flowmeter to about 15 cfm for argon.

 

[Molly's 70]

This guy is good. His shop is about an hour south from me. Unless he's famous now & moved. I haven't talked to him for years.

 

[77cruiser]

I never could get the rhythm going to keep wire moving, so did stops & starts. Like I said i suck at it, just don't weld enough.

 

[overpaid]

Great links thanks guys! Does anyone have experience with filler rods from Harbor Freight? Good, bad? Thanks!

 

[Molly's 70]

Great links thanks guys! Does anyone have experience with filler rods from Harbor Freight? Good, bad? Thanks!

Never used them, but I'd try them. Look for some ER70S2 1/16" for steel, and some ER4043 1/16" rod for aluminum. Just start playing with it. You can buy other filler rod diameters when you want.
The 4043 has more silicon in it which promotes a more fluid puddle. Harbour Freight will have a grinder to sharpen your tungsten.

Tip: Buy a dedicated tool/stone for grinding your tungsten. The reason is you can grind contamination into your tungsten. Sharpen your tungsten vertically, not horizontally on the stone.
Whatever diameter tungsten you choose (I prefer 3/32) grind your point to about 2 1/2 times the diameter.

 

[77cruiser]

Whatever don't buy oxy/acetylene welding rod, doesn't work right.

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[Molly's 70]

Whatever don't buy oxy/acetylene welding rod, doesn't work right.

Now that is a Pro Tip!

Use only filler material for Tig welding.
I have however used the copper wire out of Romex wire to weld copper before. It worked for the purpose, but is not AWS certified. Meaning the metallurgy won't be optimum.

 

[77cruiser]

Now that is a Pro Tip!

Use only filler material for Tig welding.
I have however used the copper wire out of Romex wire to weld copper before. It worked for the purpose, but is not AWS certified.

I have too, works great & copper surprisingly easy to weld.
Never knew it before but you can weld steel with copper, I think it's for ornamental stuff. Vids on Youtube about it.

 

[overpaid]

I need to find a place to get a tank with argon all the places near me seem to have 8-4 hours and that doesn't jive with my work schedule, need to find a Saturday place or take a day off!

 

[Molly's 70]

I never could get the rhythm going to keep wire moving, so did stops & starts. Like I said i suck at it, just don't weld enough.

It took me, I would bet, around 2000 hours of practice before I could certify. Once I learned to control weld pool size and heat control, the brain will figure out the rest.

 

[Molly's 70]

Get the biggest bottle you can afford. Maybe an "S" size is the biggest you can buy/own. The "T" size you have to lease, and you can't own them. Either way you just pay for the contents.

Tip: Crack open your bottle to blow out any crap so it doesn't get stuck in your flow meter & ruin it. Ask me how I know.

 

[Molly's 70]

I need to find a place to get a tank with argon all the places near me seem to have 8-4 hours and that doesn't jive with my work schedule, need to find a Saturday place or take a day off!

Most welding shops around here are open until noon on Saturdays.

 

[overpaid]

Back in Illinois I bought two of the 125 bottles, one has co2 and argon the other is tri gas for stainless on my mig. There that was the biggest you could purchase, would love to get a bigger one but that will do just fine if it is the same case here in Tampa..