Tungsten sharpening

[Shield Arc]

Here is an old picture of me Tig welding at Miller's testing facility in northwest Chicago. I just started wearing reading glasses for welding.

Boy I sure have gotten gray headed since this picture!:shocked:

 

[deereman75]

I'm still in school, and I have never had trouble with vision.

Anyways, I think I have figured it out. I turned the gas up to 20cfh, and found that if I was really careful on the startup, I could make a bead, and have the tungsten still shiny.
I think I am starting to get the hang of it. Now I just need to work on welding in a straight line.... LOL
I found that I kept roasting my little finger on my torch hand. I can see where those tig finger things come in. I just lopped the thumb off an old welding glove, and I am going to try that.


Should I keep laying beads on a plate for a while, or should I get onto joints soon? I think joints might help me go in a straight line..... LOL

 

[Shield Arc]

Yeah Jody's Tig fingers can be very helpful!
It's hard for anybody to weld on a flat plate. Jump right into lap joints, and fillet welds. Anyway how many times are you going to run beads on flat plate for money?:laughing:

 

[deereman75]

Okay, here is my first ever tig weld. I need to figure out a better way to get pictures.... It looks Far, FAR worse on the picture than in person. In person, it isn't too bad. I went back over half of it to wash it into the toes better. The part nearest the end of the plate is as welded. Tomorrow I am cleaning my shop, then I will be trying to do some daily welding practice.

 

[DaveOmak]

For vision..... I use reading glasses..... put on several strengths until you can see clearly 12-15 inches away... About the dark tungsten.... what size opening on the cup..... they make small opening cups for using small diameter rods and low flow.... Also, the rods do have a maximum amperage.... the tip looks like it got pretty hot... Never touch the tip to the metal or the puddle.... TIG welding does not use scratch start.... Hold the tip 1/8" or so from the metal and turn on the power..... the flame should jump to the metal.... adjust the amperage with your foot pedal or slide on the tip holder.....

" I only let myself use my auto dark hood for the first 3 strikes, just to figure out how to scratch start."

My error.... I did not realize deereman did not have a high frequency machine.... thanks Shield Arc for clarifying that very important detail.... Dave

 

[Shield Arc]

The as welded part doesn't look to bad. Being as it is the very end of the weld, and you don't have a foot pedal, I'd say you need to turn the amps up a little bit.

This is the bottom, (overhead) of a 6-G Tig weld I made sometime ago. See how the weld flows into the side walls more so than your weld?
Remember now when Tig welding 6-G pipe, you have to know how to weld with both hands!

 

[deereman75]

I think I was at about 80-85 amps, and it was 1/8 steel.

The one thing I am having a hard time with is feeding rod while welding. I can dip fine, but once it gets short, I can't seem to get my self to feed more out while the arc is going.... I know how to do it, I just can't get my self to do it..... LOL
I am sure I will get it before long.

 

[deereman75]

The as welded part doesn't look to bad. Being as it is the very end of the weld, and you don't have a foot pedal, I'd say you need to turn the amps up a little bit.

This is the bottom, (overhead) of a 6-G Tig weld I made sometime ago. See how the weld flows into the side walls more so than your weld?
Remember now when Tig welding 6-G pipe, you have to know how to weld with both hands!

The picture really did make it look a lot different. On the picture it looks like it sticks way up, and didn't touch the corners. In person, it is concave most of the way, and has some undercut along most of it. The corners are mostly rounded over. I think my main issue is in feeding the rod. I think I need to work on moving the torch as well.
I have to say, being decient at stick welding made this a lot easier to get going at.

 

[Shield Arc]

Take a full filler rod, don't cut it in half. When you're watching TV, ridding in a car or anything that will allow to practice, practice feeding the rod through your fingers. Do it with both hands! You will have to learn how to weld with both hands! Trust me!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CNC Dan]

every thing shield arc said +
Try swapping hands. You may find it works better. I find the filler is the delicate part, the torch has a lot more leeway.