Need Tig advice.

[Tim Singleton]

You can't get the experience without starting. It of course would be ideal to audit a tech school welding class. In some cases a person just can't. If he has the means and motivation a man can usually do whatever he sets out to
Looks like you have those two things. I agree with the earlier post if you can oxy acetylene weld it won't take you to long to figure it out. It's much easier these days with YouTube and other places to teach oneself how to do a lot of things
No one is saying you'll be welding boiler tubes next week or walking the cup on SS pipe but I think you'll do fine

 

[Mozella]

Money will buy a welder no problem there but money can't buy experience
Larry

"Experience is a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other".....Ben Franklin, French whore specialist, scientist, drinker, and my personal hero.

So yeah, experience is great, but it's hard to get without buying a welder first. Although you're correct when you say you can't buy experience, you can use the old noodle to read some books, watch some videos, talk to the guy at the local welding supply shop, and get a short demonstration from an experienced welder. This approach will pay off in greatly shortening the learning process and is often key to becoming good at anything in a short period of time.

Of course you can't be a welder with pure book learning; at some point you gotta' do some actual welding. It's sort of like playing the piano. You'll never get good if you don't put in the practice hours. But just making sparks or pounding the keys without some basic understanding of how it's supposed to be done will not result in becoming either a passable welder or a half-good piano player, or if it does it will take a long time.

 

[savagedasher]

"Experience is a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other".....Ben Franklin, French whore specialist, scientist, drinker, and my personal hero.

So yeah, experience is great, but it's hard to get without buying a welder first. Although you're correct when you say you can't buy experience, you can use the old noodle to read some books, watch some videos, talk to the guy at the local welding supply shop, and get a short demonstration from an experienced welder. This approach will pay off in greatly shortening the learning process and is often key to becoming good at anything in a short period of time.

Of course you can't be a welder with pure book learning; at some point you gotta' do some actual welding. It's sort of like playing the piano. You'll never get good if you don't put in the practice hours. But just making sparks or pounding the keys without some basic understanding of how it's supposed to be done will not result in becoming either a passable welder or a half-good piano player, or if it does it will take a long time.

My advice was go to welding school first before you buy the welder that's the simplest way to do it it. Larry

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

I saved my money when I was going to buy a TIG welder and hired Dan. I am a cert welder but chose to use him. I pocketed the difference and get great welds every time...simple : )

 

[racesnake]

1. Bigngreen....you gonna love that welder you bought. I bought one about 6 mos ago and never looked back. It's also an excellent stick welder, too.

 

[Riesel]

You are indeed getting a lot of advice from a lot of different directions. The line about viewing "welding tips and tricks" and Butch's comments on Dan are solid recommendations. If'n you're gonna do it anyway.....................then practice makes thing better. Be fearless, tig welding is not for the meek.

 

[rardoin]

Tig is far harder the regular welding . To tig weld is a skill that takes a lot of knowledge And pratice . My son has welded 30 years and has Been certified . When I told him he just laughed . Lots of luck . Larry

Ignore this statement, IMO (no disrespect Larry). TIG welding enables very precise heat control, excellent visualization of the weld pool and exacting addition of filler metal as needed. Preparation and having a comfortable position are key. MEK is a great quick drying solvent to clean any residual oils on the weld area and filler rod as a last step prior to the weld. Just get the can and rags away from the area prior to striking an arc. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[JRS]

Do you live near Billings, Butte or Missoula? If you do, you can find the best in the industry to help you.

 

[ranch23]

weldingtipsandtricks.com is time well spent, artists don't always use a brush

 

[bigngreen]

Do you live near Billings, Butte or Missoula? If you do, you can find the best in the industry to help you.

I live in Dillon, 1 hr south of Butte.

 

[bigngreen]

Machine came today, did not have time to do more than check it over for shipping damage but I'll burn some rod with it tomorrow and play with the stick function while I'm waiting to get the tig supplies I need.

 

[boltfluter]

Machine came today, did not have time to do more than check it over for shipping damage but I'll burn some rod with it tomorrow and play with the stick function while I'm waiting to get the tig supplies I need.

Big,
Keep us updated on your progress. My belief is if you have enough determination you can learn and master just about anything. Good luck.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Rustystud]

My two cents and suggestion: Look at a Lincoln 175 TIG machine, basic as it gets. I bought a state of the art Miller Dynasty 200DX. Probably the best Tig machine under 200 amps. But it has all the bells and whistles. Took me two plus years to master this machine. I had been using a Synchro wave before, it didn't have all the bells and whistles. I suggest you learn the basics by being mentored and trial and error practice. Just like shooting nothing better than trigger time.

 

[Intheshop]

Welding is a "high skill set",low investment $$.May not seem that way looking at your empty wallet,standing at the counter in your local pro welding supply joint.But it is.

Similar to "spraying" paint.Again,may not seem that way....at first.

So,lets use bricklaying.A wheelbarrow,a cpl shovels,and some nice trowels.500$ should get you some nice tools.But look at the skills involved....some,never get it.

So,when you have a high skill set,low investment (tool cost) "trade"....you will always get better results with someone "showing" you how to do it.Doesn't mean you can't figure it out on your own.But with hands on instruction you'll be in the fast lane comparatively speaking.High skill trades requires a fundamental,building block approach to your learning curve.Having a pro,looking over your shoulder cuts out bad habits before they take root.Pretty simple really.

I could put a 700$ Sata spraygun in your hand....it ain't the gun,it's the skill behind it.Same with a tig torch.Go find an old guy to get you started right.Good luck.(and yes,I've been to welding school).

 

[Rustystud]

When Dan Armstrong speaks about Tig welding I take notes. Literally. I talk with Dan several times per year and learn something new every conversation. He is gratious enough to share his knowledge. He also like skilled artisans has his opinions.

 

[mslman]

I would agree with most posts(ers) here on this subject; I would add that I bought an Everlast 210EXT to teach myself. I consider myself pretty handy with both a MIG and a torch and I will say that the learning curve would have been helped with someone to "teach" me. And TIG is expensive in both time (learning) and consumables. I am not an expert and still run tons of beads on scrap in an effort to get better.

I will differ in that I would not try to discourage you as others have done, rather encourage you to try. My life experiences have taught me that a certification/diploma does not make many folks any smarter than me; just took a different path than me to get there. However it's true that our capabilities are completely different, but I don't make a living welding. My dad is a machinist and I know how to run most shop machined because he taught me; but that don't mean I would do work for somebody else either.

"I not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of not trying." Don't make your first effort welding on something that is a controlled explosion next to your face through.

 

[bigngreen]

Have been playing with the Tig of and on, it's really amazing how much you can do with it, I've welded a few bolts and I'm pleased with how it's coming. Welded a Kelbly bolt handle back on and it came out nice and much stronger than original. It'll take me a bit to get to the point it doesn't make me nervous and there is a pile of nuaunces to learn but the basics came easy and it's a blast to do!!

 

[Dans40X]

bigngreen,
with torch in hand "torch manipulation" will become second nature.
Do not hesitate to switch from strong to weak hand for torch manipulation as it will same time & money during the process.

Get On it & Get Off it.

Pulling carbon to the surface is pulling temper from the material.
Purge,Purge,Purge is the answer & the correct process.

 

[JRS]

I live in Dillon, 1 hr south of Butte.

Contact Local 41 in Butte. UA fitter/welders are the best trained in the industry. You'll find more than one member willing to help you out and answer any questions you might have.

45 East Silver St.
(406) 723-4485

 

[bigngreen]

bigngreen,
with torch in hand "torch manipulation" will become second nature.
Do not hesitate to switch from strong to weak hand for torch manipulation as it will same time & money during the process.

Get On it & Get Off it.

Pulling carbon to the surface is pulling temper from the material.
Purge,Purge,Purge is the answer & the correct process.

After doing a few that makes sense, it seems the welding part is not all that hard but positioning will take me a little while, it's just like any thing we do that takes practice to build that muscle memory. I definitely need to get the smaller torch, this one is working for my practice work but when I actually weld a handle it's a challenge to get positioned, I'll be adding a foot pedal soon as well, I'll just build it up as I can and eventually have a nice little system. Thanks for the help!