how do you weld with a tig welder

by Shakira Ward Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

^{How to Weld - TIG Welding}

Choose the Electrode. Your TIG is likely to have the right electrode in it already. For aluminum, the best choice is a pure tungsten rod.
Grind the Electrode. Grind the tungsten rod to a point. ...
Insert the Electrode Into Its Collet. Unscrew the back of the electrode holder, insert the rod, replace back. ...
Choose the Settings. The typical TIG rig will have three main electricity options - AC, DCEP, and DCEN. AC is for aluminum - choose "AC".
Turn on the Gas. For aluminum, use pure argon. For steel, you would use an argon/carbon dioxide mixture. ...

Prepare Metal and Welding Table. Some kind of large metallic area is necessary to let electricity flow through your metal. ...

Get Dressed Up! TIG will give you sunburns. TIG will make you see stars (or go blind). TIG will burn your hands. ...

One Last Check. Hold the electrode in your dominant hand. Make sure it can move freely (untangled, unhampered cord).

Weld! Hold the electrode about an inch away from the metal. Never touch the metal with the electrode. If you do, molten aluminum will leap onto the electrode.

Draw a Bead. After tacking, remove any clamps. Start a weld pool by jamming down the pedal fast to form a weld pool.

Types of Welds. Getting the knack of TIG welding is mostly in getting the weld pool to form, at the same time, on both pieces of metal.

Full Answer

Can you really teach yourself TIG welding?

TIG welding is a very clean and versatile welding process. As opposed to MIG welding, for instance, it requires being able to understand various concepts before starting to do it. Thus if you are able to learn everything about it, people can learn it by themselves with a lot of work. ...

How to start TIG welding?

TIG is a useful process for welding:

Bike frames
Pipe welding
Wagons
Lawnmowers
Door handles
Airplanes
Automobiles
Spacecrafts
Medical and scientific equipment

How to set up a TIG welder?

Know Your Torch

The Electrode. The first part you should be aware of is an electrode: a tungsten rod that comes in different sizes.
Shaping Your Tungsten. Grinding your tungsten to a point is done with a grinding wheel or a specialized tungsten grinder. ...
Other Components. The next component of your torch is the cup. ...

Can you learn Tig by yourself on your own?

The bad news is that you should not attempt to learn TIG on your own. More bad news is that many welding programs have been radically slimmed down or cut completely. The good news is a few community colleges still have intro classes that allow you to learn the basics in a relatively short period of time. Go to School

What are the steps to TIG welding?

Also, If you're interested in MIG welding, see this instructable:Step 1: Choose the Electrode. ... Step 2: Grind the Electrode. ... Step 3: Insert the Electrode Into Its Collet. ... Step 4: Choose the Settings. ... Step 5: Turn on the Gas. ... Step 6: Prepare Metal and Welding Table. ... Step 7: Get Dressed Up! ... Step 8: One Last Check.More items...

How do you use a TIG welder for beginners?

17:5031:44TIG Welding Basics for Beginners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the best way to start the arc with the tig welder is with a high frequency arc starter. And thatMoreSo the best way to start the arc with the tig welder is with a high frequency arc starter. And that means that you will send a high frequency electrical signal at a high voltage.

Can you weld anything with a TIG welder?

TIG welders can be used to weld steel, stainless steel, chromoly, aluminum, nickel alloys, magnesium, copper, brass, bronze, and even gold. TIG is a useful welding process for welding wagons, bike frames, lawn mowers, door handles, fenders, and more.

Can you teach yourself to TIG weld?

Is TIG welding hard to learn?

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), or TIG, is often specified to meet strict aesthetic, structural or code/standard requirements. The TIG process is complex, and it is undisputedly the most difficult process to learn.

How can I practice TIG welding at home?

4:128:18TIG Welding Practice WITHOUT a Welding Machine | TIG TimeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're eventually going to have to add filler material. Okay so adding filler material there's aMoreYou're eventually going to have to add filler material. Okay so adding filler material there's a couple of techniques. And again hold your hold your pencil. Like your TIG torch.

What are the disadvantages of TIG welding?

What are the limitations of TIG Welding?Travel speeds and deposition rates are relatively low, increasing weld cost.A high degree of operator skill is required to produce quality welds.Process is not easily automated.

Is TIG stronger than MIG?

Precision. TIG welding can achieve this level of precision because the operator has more control over the gun vs. MIG welding.

Can you TIG weld without gas?

Simply put, NO, you can't Tig weld without Gas! Gas is required to protect both the Tungsten Electrode and the weld pool from Oxygen. Most Tig Welder torches are also cooled by the gas, so not using gas would risk burning out the Torch.

Should you learn MIG or TIG welding first?

MIG welds work well with larger projects with thick metals that need longer, continuous runs. Control: TIG welders need to have experience with timing and balancing materials in both hands. MIG is typically easier to control and is better for beginners.

How long does it take to learn how do you TIG weld?

around 40 hoursThe minimum time to learn to TIG weld is probably around 40 hours and that's just becoming OK at it. I can teach someone to MIG weld in a couple of hours and stick weld in about 6 or 8 hours and they would be passable. Also, TIG welding is something you need to do on a fairly regular basis.

What is the easiest welding to learn?

MIG WeldingMIG Welding (Beginner) MIG welders are among the best type for beginners, as they're designed with a wire welding electrode on a spool that is fed at a pre-selected speed through a welding gun. As a semi-automatic or automatic process, gas metal arc welding (GMAW or MIG), is the easiest to learn.

What is a tig weld?

TIG Welding is one type of welding amongst a few choices you have - MIG, Stick, Oxyacetylene, etc. TIG can be used to weld copper, titanium, even two dissimilar metals, and is handy for making tricky welds (e.g. s-curves, or welds on round things).. TIG generates heat via an arc of electricity jumping from a ...

How to weld metal with a welder?

Hold the electrode about an inch away from the metal. Never touch the metal with the electrode. If you do, molten aluminum will leap onto the electrode. If this happens, stop, turn off the welder, remove the tungsten rod, and grind it down.#N#Jam down on the foot-pedal to quickly dump a bunch of current and heat into the metal.#N#The idea is to very quickly heat the metal and start the weld pool. You'll know it when you see it - the metal becomes fluid.#N#Start on an edge.#N#When the pool has formed, touch the rod in.#N#If you heat the metal for too long, it will warp. The longer the metal is heated, the more it will warp.#N#This is a "tack" weld, to hold the metal piece in place, so you can take off the clamps and do big long bead welds.#N#Once you have a weld pool started, you can ease off the pedal a little, to control the amount of heat and current being applied to the metal.#N#Welds shrink as they cool, so you can alternate sides to keep the welds even, and to keep one side of metal from getting too hot and warping. Hot metal can warp a great deal, and if you don't change sides, you might find yourself even 1/4" off of where the metal ought to be.

What does DCEP mean in welding?

DCEP means "DC, Electrode Postive". This setting is used for balling the tungsten tip, or stick welding.

What is the best power for a tig rig?

The typical TIG rig will have three main electricity options - AC, DCEP, and DCEN.#N#AC is for aluminum - choose "AC".#N#Set the "Cleaning/Penetrating" setting to the more "Penetrating" side - around 7 on a scale from 1 to 10.#N#Set the "Air on" to about 5 seconds, if you have the option to do so.#N#This is the amount of time the gas stays on after the arc stops, to keep your weld from oxidizing/rusting.#N#Set the "Max Amps" pretty high - perhaps around 250.#N#For specific settings, check out Miller's settings calculator.#N#For the curious:#N#Cleaning/Penetrating is a modification to the positive/negative ratio of the AC that changes the depth of your weld (cleaning is more shallow).#N#DCEP means "DC, Electrode Postive". This setting is used for balling the tungsten tip, or stick welding.#N#DCEN means "DC, Electrode Negative", and is for welding steel.#N#The difference between the two DC settings is the direction the electricity flows - to the metal from the electrode, or to the electrode from the metal. This makes a big difference in the amount of heat the metal absorbs, and the width and depth of the weld.

How does a tig work?

TIG generates heat via an arc of electricity jumping from a (tungsten metal) electrode to the metal surfaces you intend to weld - usually aluminum or steel. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas, after the tungsten electrode, and the sheath of inert gas (argon or an argon mixture) surrounding it. Big thanks to Mose O'Griffin, who narrated, taught, ...

What is the best rod for a tig?

Your TIG is likely to have the right electrode in it already. For aluminum, the best choice is a pure tungsten rod. You can alternately choose from any number of tungsten alloys (including thoriated tungsten - which is radioactive!) which are uniquely suited to welding particular alloys of metal.

Why do you have to alternate sides of a weld pool?

Welds shrink as they cool , so you can alternate sides to keep the welds even, and to keep one side of metal from getting too hot and warping.

How does tig welding work?

TIG welding works differently from MIG and sticks welding. In this process, the 1 st melting happens in the brass section with the help of the torch. The molten puddle will then melt the filler material. Thus, you should never melt the filler rod of the TIG welding directly.

What amperage setting is used for tig welding?

The DCEP amperage setting is workable with stick welding. Before you can begin your TIG welding, you have to prepare the tungsten as it works as the electrode for welding. You will have to grind the tungsten (the detailed process is described in the next section). You will need 200grit papers to grind the tungsten.

What to use as an electrode for welding aluminum?

Yet, it’s always a good idea to know what to pick as an electrode for metal welding. Choose the tungsten rod for welding aluminum. You may choose the tungsten alloy to weld alloy metals. You also can choose the radioactive and thoriated tungsten for this purpose.

What is DCEP welding?

It refers to the amperage setting and it varies according to the welding material. For aluminum, set it at AC on the front panel of the device. You have to fix the amperage or polarity setting as DCEN for welding steel and steel alloy. The DCEP amperage setting is workable with stick welding.

What is a tig?

As we described TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. The TIG will generate heat using the electric arc. It comes from the metal tungsten electrode and jumps to the metal surface where you plan to weld. It is used to weld copper, aluminum, titanium, etc. metals.

Why is it important to select the right gas for a tig welding?

The selection of the right inert gas is important for the accuracy and safety of the TIG welding process. If you mistakenly use inappropriate gas, the TIG welder will be damaged or cause a misfire.

What are the different settings on a tig machine?

The standard TIG machine comes with three different settings for amperage or polarity. These are AC, DCEP, and DCEN. You have to pick the right setting depending on the type of welding you will perform on the metal surface.

When was tig welding introduced?

When TIG welding was introduced around the 1940's Helium gas was the primary shielding gas used in process. The term Heliarc welding was the common phrase used back in the day and now is a registered trademark " GENUINE HELIARC ", from what I know, it now owned by ESAB welding equipment!

How many hands do you need to weld a tig?

TIG Welding is a manual welding process that requires the welder to use two hands to weld. What separates TIG welding from most other welding processe s is the way the arc is created and how the filler metal is added! When TIG Welding one hand is used for holding the TIG torch that produces the arc and the other hand is to add ...

What gas is used to protect a weld?

Shielding gasses for TIG welding are used to protect the weld area from any air that will contaminate the weld. The two most commonly used gasses to TIG weld are: Argon / Ar (typically used) Helium / He. Since Argon and Helium are Nobel inert gasses they do not change the characteristics of the weld joint.

What is a tig power supply?

TIG welding power supplies are usually Stick welding power supplies. The main difference between Stick welding power supply and TIG power supply are the bells and whistles TIG welding sometimes requires. A basic TIG torch can be added to a Stick welding power supply and it will weld fine.

What temperature does tungsten welding maintain?

In the case of TIG welding the tungsten metal properties allows an arc to maintain a temperature up to 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

How is heat produced in welding?

The heat is produced by electricity passing through the tungsten electrode by creating an arc to the metal. The shielding comes from a compressed bottle of gas that flows to the weld area to protect it from air. The filler metal is just a wire that is dipped by hand into the arc and melted.

What is tungsten used for?

Its uses are limited compared to other metals. In TIG welding the tungsten is made into a non consumable electrode that is used to create the arc for TIG welding. Typical other uses for tungsten are in light bulbs, heating elements, and rocket engines.

What are the advantages of a tig welder?

Another advantage is the flexibilty on cable and hose.

How to change angle of tungsten?

1) Touch the metal with the tungsten tip and change the angle with an up and down movement as depicted in the picture above. 2) Touch the metal as well, but “scratch” the metal surface to get started. Pro tip: Use a thin metal plate at the start of your workpiece to sacrifice on the start.

Why use a long gas hose for welding?

The gas is flowing seperatly into your torch, so you can use a very long gas hose to get a bit more flexibilty where you are welding. Also the electric leads are generally longer from the start compared to native TIG welders. Disadvantages are: Less easy to handle (no footpedal → no amp adjustment while welding)

Can you use a stick welder as a welder?

Short answer: Yes, you can turn any DC welder into a stick welding machine, given that you buy a TIG torch and an Argon bottle. Especially when starting off in TIG welding, or maybe even just for giving it a try, TIG welding with a stick welder might be an option to tip your toe in the game. In this article, I will give an overview ...

Can you tig weld with a stick welder?

TIG welding with a stick welder, definitely a more exotic application , but it has its applications and merits. The most obvious one I already mentioned: Saving your money when giving TIG a try and you have a stick welder already in the workshop.