Advice for a TIG beginner?

[k0ua]

Ok that was my question.

I was surprised how fast the 2/3 dial setting on my TIG (130 amp Stick) ate a 1/8 rod. It seemed similar to setting the old buzzbox in the upper third of its scale.

Think of the AC sine wave form. There is a time when you have zero voltage and zero current as the waveform crosses the zero point in the Y axis. The arc goes out and restarts in the negative portion of the waveform. The waveform peaks negatively then starts to fall back to zero again and crosses zero and starts to rise with the opposite polarity. So, hot, colder, cold, warmer, hot, colder, cold, warmer, hot again. Fun stuff huh?

 

[LD1]

Think of the AC sine wave form. There is a time when you have zero voltage and zero current as the waveform crosses the zero point in the Y axis. The arc goes out and restarts in the negative portion of the waveform. The waveform peaks negatively then starts to fall back to zero again and crosses zero and starts to rise with the opposite polarity. So, hot, colder, cold, warmer, hot, colder, cold, warmer, hot again. Fun stuff huh?

Exactly what I mean when I day AC is not as "hot".

DC is at its peak....all the time. AC...not so.
100a on DC welds "hotter".....meaning it burns in deeper and feels like way more than 100a on AC.
I'm not gonna argue that point any more because some don't seem to understand what I am saying. It seems you either get it or you don't. Those that have welded with both, probably know exactly what I am talking about

 

[k0ua]

Exactly what I mean when I day AC is not as "hot".

DC is at its peak....all the time. AC...not so.
100a on DC welds "hotter".....meaning it burns in deeper and feels like way more than 100a on AC.
I'm not gonna argue that point any more because some don't seem to understand what I am saying. It seems you either get it or you don't. Those that have welded with both, probably know exactly what I am talking about

Well, you have explained it from a practical standpoint, and I have explained it from a theoretical standpoint, and if they don't get it... well what more can we do?:shocked:

 

[woodlandfarms]

Well, I was kinda thinking you were uber rich and had a McClaren

Why the engine compartment and hood McLaren F1 supercar covered with gold - YouTube

 

[k0ua]

Well, I was kinda thinking you were uber rich and had a McClaren

Why the engine compartment and hood McLaren F1 supercar covered with gold - YouTube

Yeah but there is not much actual gold in that engine compartment is there?. Not even as much as your wedding ring.

 

[yomax4]

What a thread. I couldn't read it all but wondered if anyone discussed the option of wave balance to make your AC "Hotter or Colder" and Hz adjustment to constrict the arc to a needle point making a smaller heat affected zone making it possible to do more with less amps. With my Tig unit I can adjust how "hot" and for how long the wave is above 0. That with Hz adjustment I can make AC or DC "Heat" totally all over the map. Complicate it more with pulse time and frequency.

 

[LD1]

What a thread. I couldn't read it all but wondered if anyone discussed the option of wave balance to make your AC "Hotter or Colder" and Hz adjustment to constrict the arc to a needle point making a smaller heat affected zone making it possible to do more with less amps. With my Tig unit I can adjust how "hot" and for how long the wave is above 0. That with Hz adjustment I can make AC or DC "Heat" totally all over the map. Complicate it more with pulse time and frequency.

Are you strictly talking Tig? Or can you do all of those things with stick if you have an inverter machine with those options?

Yes, there is alot of different things out there, and the inverter technology is pretty remarkable in what they can do.

My responses are more geared toward someone who has an actual/DC tombstone

 

[yomax4]

Are you strictly talking Tig? Or can you do all of those things with stick if you have an inverter machine with those options?

Yes, there is alot of different things out there, and the inverter technology is pretty remarkable in what they can do.

My responses are more geared toward someone who has an actual/DC tombstone

Gotcha, I can't imagine tig welding with a tombstone but i guess it happens.

 

[LD1]

Gotcha, I can't imagine tig welding with a tombstone but i guess it happens.

I was more questioning weather you can AC stick weld with an inverter, and still play with the balance, hz, wave form, etc?

But again, aside from magnetic parts...if one has a DC stick I can't imagine using AC for stick process

 

[California]

...if one has a DC stick I can't imagine using AC for stick process

...Which comes back to something I (OP) am puzzling over with my new TIG/stick inverter unit. (160/130 amps respectively). I'm wondering if this makes my 230amp-AC buzzbox unnecessary. I recently noticed its on a 30 amp breaker and I've never tripped that breaker - even using the carbon arc torch - so apparently I've never needed its maximum output. My heaviest application would generally be repairing Cat 1 implements. Maybe I no longer need the buzzbox.

Or maybe I need the buzzbox so I don't risk burning up the orphan/expensive/delicate Grizzly TIG welder. I've read manuals for similar TIG welders that recommend against using a carbon torch with them, it stresses the welder too much. The buzzbox has no delicate electronics just a massive transformer and some cables, pretty hard to damage that.

Any comments?