Instructions For Tig Welding - Gas Tungsten Arc Basics For the Noob

 Have you ever wished you could locate some basic tig welding steel instructions? Do you want to learn the fundamentals of Tig welding without all the techno-jargon?

Without images, this is about as easy as it gets...

Machine Settings - Your tig welding machine will be set to DCEN (direct current electrode negative) aka Straight polarity for steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and pretty much everything except aluminum and magnesium.

The high-frequency mode has been activated (on newer inverters this setting is built-in). The post flow timer is set to at least 10 seconds, and the A/C balance, if available, is set to the DCEN default. Both the contractor and the amperage switch are set to remote. (When the tig mode is set on newer inverters, this is the default).

Set polarity to A/C, A/c balance to approximately 7, and high frequency to continuous while tig welding aluminum. All of the other machine parameters are identical to those for tig welding steel.

Set the shielding gas at roughly 15 cfh. Argon is a versatile shielding gas that may be used to tig weld almost anything. For tig welding aluminum, you'll probably need some 50/50 argon/helium until you've had some seat time.

There are two types of tig torches: air cooled and water cooled. There are both large and little versions of each.

In general, smaller is preferable. A 250 amp tig torch with water cooling is smaller than some 100 amp air-cooled torches. Larger torches are OK, although they are more difficult to maneuver in confined spaces. Starting with a #7 tig cup is a smart idea.

Tungsten Electrodes - Tungsten electrodes must be sharp and clean while welding steel. It will be enough to use a belt sander or a 4 /12-inch sander. All you have to do with aluminum tig welding is round the tip using a sander.

Everything will be welded using 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes. If the thought of thorium being radioactive makes you nervous, acquire some 2 percent lanthanide thorium instead. Use the smallest electrode that will complete the task in a reasonable amount of time.

Up to 90 amps, 1/16 tungsten electrodes will suffice; anything beyond 90 amps will need the use of 3/32 tungsten electrodes. A 1/8 tungsten is required over 200 amps.

Tig Welding Rod - Three different tig rods may be used to tig weld 90% of what you'll be welding. 308 is used to weld stainless steel, E70S2 is used to weld mild steel and 4130, and 4043 is used to weld aluminum. There are a variety of rods for different situations, but these three rods can handle the majority of your tig work.

Hold the tig torch in your hand like a first-grade pencil, with the ball of your hand resting on the table or anything. Nod your welding helmet down and push the foot pedal while leaning the torch back approximately 10 degrees and lifting the tungsten tip about 1/4 inch off the metal. Increase the heat by pushing the foot pedal until your welding puddle is around 4 times the thickness you're welding up to roughly 3/8 inch max. after you've established the arc. Keep the arc length (the distance between the electrode's tip and the puddle) to nearly the same size as the electrode.

The approach is as follows: to produce an equally rippled stack of dimes welding beads, add filler rod, pause, shift the puddle approximately 1/8 inch and pause, add filler metal, pause, and so on.

You'll receive a consistent stack of dime beads if you follow this step and apply the correct pause tig welding method.

Isn't it simple? It does, however, require a lot of practice and seat time.

5 Welding Tips for Tig Welders -

Keep the distance between the tip and the puddle to no more than the electrode diameter.

Keep the torch angle to a maximum of 10 degrees.

See recommendations 1 and 2 above if the filler rod balls up and attempts to glob into the puddle.

Keep lots of sharp electrodes on hand for steel, and replace electrodes every time you dip your wick.

Aluminum rods E70S2, ER308, and 4043 are available. Most tig work will be completed by these three.