Tig welding

[backhoelover]

Just got a ac/dc tig. Can anyone answers some questions to help get me started?

 

[Moparmyway]

Whachoo wanna know ?

What machine did you get ?

 

[backhoelover]

How long should my arc be?
I’ve also notice that my filler wire grabs but doesn’t stick at time

 

[backhoelover]

Eastwood 200ac/dc digital. Got it when they where on sale for 700.00

 

[mgr1]

@srcarr52

He is a welding master.

 

[dall]

How long should my arc be?
I’ve also notice that my filler wire grabs but doesn’t stick at time

what are you trying to weld ? Carbon stainless or aluminum
You want a short arc
If it doesn’t melt it means you don’t have a puddle or you are trying to add filler too high

 

[srcarr52]

How long should my arc be?
I’ve also notice that my filler wire grabs but doesn’t stick at time

Keep your arc as short as you can without dipping it in the puddle, the longer the arc the harder it is to control where it goes.

Filler not sticking? If you are using the correct filler then it's a surface prep or shield gas issue. You might need to increase your gas flow or change cups/nozzles. Remember you have to use argon for tig welding.

 

[backhoelover]

Right now reg steel still need some practice before I tackle aluminum lol

 

[backhoelover]

Got 100% argon and running 25ish scfh

 

[dall]

Got 100% argon and running 25ish scfh

that’s more than enough
Rule of thumb is 2cfh per cup size

 

[dall]

Heat the spot you want to start welding at with the tig torch before trying to add metal
Should only take a second or two to get the metal ready to accept wire

 

[Moparmyway]

How long should my arc be?
I’ve also notice that my filler wire grabs but doesn’t stick at time

Echoing the others, as short of an arc as possible.

One other thought about the filler not sticking ....... are you trying to add it to the puddle or to the base metal where the arc is without the puddle having been established yet ?

 

[backhoelover]

Did a little better last night. Might just need a lot more practice lol

 

[Stump Shot]

Did a little better last night. Might just need a lot more practice lol

Takes a little bit to get the knack, just remember establish the puddle first then dip your filler wire. Once you have your amperage and filler wire size right for the size metal thickness you should be able to get into a rhythm advancing the torch and dipping filler.

 

[backhoelover]

Thanks guy really appreciated the knowledge!!!! Machinist at work gave me some better practicing coupons. Was using a old cub cadet drive pulley lol. Now just need to practice when time allows lol

 

[backhoelover]

Guy’s