Tungsten sharpening

[deereman75]

I like the look of the weldcraft wp20. Any thoughts on that? It looks nice and small.

 

[Shield Arc]

Also, can I run a water cooled torch by hooking it up to the garden hose? Or do with have to build a water cooler?

I worked in a welding shop that did that with their Tig machines. Just let the water drain outside the shop into the street. I'm sure you guys up there are the same way we are here. Little water on the ground means nothing! You may have to make a trip to the plumbing supply to get enough fittings to make it work. Water cooled torches are the way to go, smaller and lighter. Before buying a water cooled torch, look at how you can attach it to the power lug. You may have to get creative there!

Here is a picture of my air cooled torch, (top) I think it is 150-amps. And my water cooled torch, which I think is 200-amps. I leave my north south wheel taped to the water cooled torch all the time. It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[deereman75]

I found a water cooled gas valve torch on ebay I am really looking at.
I have made custom plumbing fittings before, so I'm not too worried about hooking it to the hose. Between soldering non compatible fittings together, and having access to a lathe (or 3) and a mill, I think I can make it work..... LOL
I could even make a custom power block if I have to. It's really nice knowing a retired machinist..... LOL
I will talk to him this Saturday about the possibility of some tig welding lessons. He is also a ticketed welder.
I'm sure that will help me out a lot.

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh there is nothing like having someone standing right behind you telling you what to do. 4-hours with one on one instruction is worth more than a week of welding school with 30 other guys!

 

[deereman75]

I think he would be a really big help for me. He is a real master craftsman. I know he is a journeyman in atleast 4 trades. Welding, machinist, aircraft sheet metal mechanic, and aircraft electrician, possibly more. He spent most of his time rebuilding aircraft at the airport.
It's really handy to know someone who can fix or build virtually anything..... LOL
I was going to be getting some metal lathe lessons from him as well.
I know a few guys like that at the museum I volunteer at. Marine electrician, radio operator, diesel mechanic, steam engineers, boiler makers, railroad mechanics, ect, ect, ect.
It's really a great place to learn at.

 

[Furu]

Oh there is nothing like having someone standing right behind you telling you what to do. 4-hours with one on one instruction is worth more than a week of welding school with 30 other guys!

Having SA behind you for 4 hours is worth way more than a week try at least a month!

 

[Shield Arc]

It always helps to have an extremely smart student!

 

[BukitCase]

Sooo, you two ever think about getting a room??!?

All seriousness aside, I agree 137% (or more), having someone who has done a LOT of what you're trying to do, AND who can explain it well, is worth more than their weight in books, DVD's, whatever.

Anyone who has a mentor such as SA or Deereman's friend is very lucky indeed... Steve

(OK, smart-a** mode back on :laughing

 

[deereman75]

I have been reading a bit, and it seems that these chinese wp-17 torches often have bad hoses that make a shiny weld impossible........ Something about how they are made causing them to close up and restrict/contaminate the gas...

Anyways, I found a gas valve wp-9 torch (CK brand with superflex hose) on ebay for under $150 to my door.....
I might order it tonight... No point practicing with something that is impossible to make a good weld with.....
Plus this torch is stupidly big.....

 

[Arc weld]

A WP-9 is a small torch. A WP-17 isn't that big. A WP-26 is a big torch. Why not just get a Weldcraft or CK torch? Some of the house brands are actually CK torches and I've never heard of any problems with them or even copy torches. Most of the problems I've seen are from the flex heads getting too hot and failing. I don't think you really need to worry about a water cooled torch unless you're going to be doing some serious TIG welding. Learn how to TIG weld first and then add what you need. A water cooled torch isn't going to magically make it any easier. Having someone with experience will be a great help but the first thing you need to do is get the right size tungsten and filler rod for the pieces you're welding. You got the 1/16" tungsten too hot and it was too small for the thickness. It's hard to critique a weld when it wasn't done with the right equipment. If the tungsten gets badly contaminated, don't try to grind it off. Use 2 sets of pliers and snap the bad section off, then grind it to a point length wise with a fine grinding wheel or sanding disk. If you try to use just one set of pliers, the tungsten will split and then you have break even more off. Thoriated tungsten is slightly radio active. That's why there's concerns with it but it's been the standard for decades.