Welding a Small Part

[Teachu2]

I just bought this scratch start Tig torch a couple months ago. Really like it.:thumbsup:
WP 26V 25R 25' 200Amp Air Cooled TIG Welding Torch Gas Valve Ready to Go Package | eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140514184508?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

That looks pretty sweet.

 

[Fawken]

Just to clarify, I in no way claim to be an expert welder. I think I'm pretty darn good with a stick machine and am catching on to TIG pretty well. Here is what I've used for the past 42 years and it has never missed a beat. I think it is a Lincoln, but never opened it and really never thought about it until recently:


Here is the WWII knife I referenced. Belonged to my dad and I found out that one of the grandkids must have broken it playing with it. Mom couldn't find the parts so I had to make new ones. Had to use 1/16" stainless steel rods to build the tang and tap off the tiny studs that hold it together:

 

[CNC Dan]

The oil is an old trick that a guy who makes custom springs taught me. I used to just cool things down with water and you do get some tempering, but the oil works much better. Now on larger pieces you just have to let the air cool it down and be more careful with over heating.

I may be nitpicking here, but when you cool hot metal it's called quenching. It will make the metal harder, possibly too hard. The metal can then be re-heated to a lower temperature to remove some of the hardness, and give it more toughness. That re-heating process is called tempering.

 

[Shield Arc]

That looks pretty sweet.

You can even weld aluminum with them.

 

[Fawken]

I may be nitpicking here, but when you cool hot metal it's called quenching. It will make the metal harder, possibly too hard. The metal can then be re-heated to a lower temperature to remove some of the hardness, and give it more toughness. That re-heating process is called tempering.

Never knew. Too bad you're so far North we could use another machinist/fabricator in the shop. I think the greatest asset to these kinds of forums is when people share their ideas and knowledge.

 

[downsizingnow48]

On TIG that looks pretty tempting, as if I need any help acquiring tools. I'll have to look at that a bit.

Quenching I could do. Drop it in the bucket of oil, I got that. Tempering, what do you do?

 

[Teachu2]

On TIG that looks pretty tempting, as if I need any help acquiring tools. I'll have to look at that a bit.

Quenching I could do. Drop it in the bucket of oil, I got that. Tempering, what do you do?

Heat it evenly to a light straw color, then air cool.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Tempering -- OK that I can do - many thanks.

On TIG, good grief. This is from that ebay listing:

"Tungsten Electrodes
Pure, Thoriated, Ceriated, Lanthanated Tungsten electrodes with varied diameters"

I give up, have just barely got used to MIG.

 

[Big Barn]

I may be nitpicking here, but when you cool hot metal it's called quenching. It will make the metal harder, possibly too hard. The metal can then be re-heated to a lower temperature to remove some of the hardness, and give it more toughness. That re-heating process is called tempering.

Ha ha. They taught me that in high school. Thanks for the refresher, Dan!

Terry

 

[Teachu2]

Tempering -- OK that I can do - many thanks.

On TIG, good grief. This is from that ebay listing:

"Tungsten Electrodes
Pure, Thoriated, Ceriated, Lanthanated Tungsten electrodes with varied diameters"

I give up, have just barely got used to MIG.

Probably not the best time to learn a new process....