How did you learn to TIG weld?, Post your tips and stories. Options

[FourBlades]

I have been thinking about learning to TIG weld for a few years and took the plunge.

I bought the Eastwood AC/DC unit and have been playing with it for a few weeks.



I did all the obvious learning stuff, watching you tube videos, reading about it.

I like WeldingTipsAndTricks.com videos.

At first I just could not see what was going on well enough so I bought a 3x magnifier for my helmet. I also had a lot of trouble with fogging so I got some FogTech drops which completely stopped the fogging. These tips made it a lot easier to see the arc and the puddle.

Now if I could just stop touching the tungsten to the puddle it would be nice.

I'd like to be able to TIG thin metal to limit heat input, do good roll bar welding, and make stuff from aluminum. I know this will take a lot of time and practice.

What tips really helped you, what practice exercises did you do, what war stories do you have?

Thanks,

John

[nathansnathan]

Some things to note, you should hold the electrode in your bare hands when grinding it as not to ever let it get too hot. If it is too hot to hold it will oxidize/discolor. Aluminum especially will be very temperamental about contamination.

About backing the a butt weld, copper flashing is ideal or aluminum backing for steel will work but may contaminate some; backing with steel for aluminum. Backing a weld certainly makes it easier. You would have to back aluminum unless you were back purging.

From my understanding, the Eastwood tig is all on or off? -that would be pretty tough to work.

Everything has to be very clean with tig, more so than mig welding. You hit some rust and it might explode actually, like blow up the electrode. You really have to clean for tig, the hand held wire brush, as it cools, before you weld, wire brush like mad.

The whole "stack of dimes" should be thought of as a means rather than an end. You move the puddle across and that is the pattern it leaves when you do it right. By 'move' I mean that you draw it over with heat. That the metal/puddle will go toward the heat is key.