Help me find my tig problem

[adirondackmtnman]

Glad you're aware, I feel it's better to mention things like that when they're NOT needed, than to NOT and have someone get hurt or worse - your question, "Does the oxy-propane mix properly with a standard rosebud ?" made me think it might be necessary.

By your later comments, my advice would be to go back and NOT read my previous post ... Steve

Not a problem...The rosebud question's pretty novice, but since I've never used one other than an acetylene tip with a large set of tanks at work, I asked it out of pure ignorance...always something to learn. The acetylene safety was (thankfully) pounded into my head in trade school...

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[adirondackmtnman]

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[adirondackmtnman]

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[BukitCase]

Did a bit of research on converting to propane a while back, just generically acetylene tips' orifices are flush with the end of the tip, and propane tips have a built in recess; changes how they behave if not used on their "gas of choice" ... Steve

 

[dfkrug]

I cant remember exactly, but I believe it had something to do with a US govt
decision/announcement. It was something about their large helium reserves.

Just got back from my gas supplier in San Jose. Regarding helium, they tell me they have only one 80 cf tank
in inventory ($56) but don't know if or when they will get more. I was told something about how US govt
controls the biggest He source in the US (Texas) and is limiting the supply.

Anyway, DIY TIG with He is out.

For reference, here in CA, 20cf tanks of Ar/CO2 run $22, Ar is $20, and O2 is $19. Forgot to get an acetylene
price.

 

[CNC Dan]

This is an OK article on some of the causes of the helium shortage.:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/204863351.html

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Good to see such awesome advice on here.

I am trying to re-teach myself how to weld. Haven't done it in about 30 years. My biggest hurdle is up close eyesight. I am trying to tig weld thin wall small (1/16") sst tubing to a SST swagelock fitting modified to accept the tubing on one end and a npt 1/16" on the other end. Can't have any leaks.

I try to wear my readers, but it just seems like I can't see good enough close up. Also, I need to practice, practice, practice. It sure is nice seeing some of you guys' beautiful welds.

Next up, learning to mig and tig weld aluminum. Spool, and filler rod.

At work, I even have access to an orbital welder for welding stainless tubing end to end.

 

[Shield Arc]

My biggest hurdle is up close eyesight.

What I did was go to Wal-Mart go through their reading glasses, for Tig welding hold something up with real fine print about 12-inches from your face. For Mig and stick welding hold the same thing up to your face about 18-inches away. Sometimes the dollar store as the same glasses as Wal-Mart for 1/10th the price.

 

[yomax4]

I use readers and cheater lens. **** to get old. As for the Helium.. I was at a plant that does tons of Stainless sanitary fittings and was going to show them Digital High Def Mig welding on SS. (Looks like a tig weld) I needed a tank of 85% Ar.13%He.2% Co2. The distributor could not get anything with Helium mixed in it. It was pure for a huge price or nothing. Oh well. The drillers are not collecting the Helium when they drill for some reason. They are letting it go up and out. Not sure on the Gov. Helium deal but it is true that they have a few million liquid tons of Helium that was stock piled during WWII. Not sure why or what they are doing with it.

 

[dfkrug]

My biggest hurdle is up close eyesight. I am trying to tig weld thin wall
small (1/16") sst tubing to a SST swagelock fitting modified to accept the tubing on one end and a
npt 1/16" on the other end. .

I wear prescription progressive bifocal glasses. These are way better that traditional bifocals or drugstore
readers in that they have varying magnification, depending on where you point your eyeballs.

Anyway, in TIG-welding SS above (1/16" tubing) I was very happy how easy it was to see the puddle.
I can not always see the puddle in stick-welding, which I have done since the early 70s. Too much smoke.