Recommend me a TIG welder

[Ben Wilson]

I was just out welding up some seat mounts and something else you might want to consider is a water cooled torch. After about 15cm of weld on 5mm alloy, I was holding the torch by the base because the top was too hot. I have resorted to MIG gloves in the past, but you loose a lot of finesse doing it...

[Billzilla]

Yeah see how we go.
I've ordered the Weldsmart unit, it should be here in a week or so.

[Billzilla]

Been practising on the transformer machine, kinda happy with the last weld I did. Stopping the weld neatly is still difficult though as I can't back the heat off and lifting the torch up a bit only does so much.

[mizone]

I got mine for $800 or so delivered with a pedal and reg.

FARRK nice price!

[JESUS CHRIST]

Been practising on the transformer machine, kinda happy with the last weld I did. Stopping the weld neatly is still difficult though as I can't back the heat off and lifting the torch up a bit only does so much.

Noice weld! What thickness parent material was that? RE: end of weld, play with the 'ramp down' knob

P.S. im no expert - i bought the UNITIG a few years ago and self taught/ gave it a go with reasonable success.

[Billzilla]

Noice weld! What thickness parent material was that? RE: end of weld, play with the 'ramp down' knob.

Ta - the alloy plate is about 3mm to 4mm I think.
There is no ramp down knob.

[JESUS CHRIST]

Ta - the alloy plate is about 3mm to 4mm I think.
There is no ramp down knob.

Is this the Weldsmart you bought?????>>> http://www.weldsmart.com.au/welding-...nverter-welder

If you look at the top right knob, it should be tagged 'down slope' (thats what i meant by 'ramp down' lol)

[Billzilla]

Is this the Weldsmart you bought?????>>> http://www.weldsmart.com.au/welding-...nverter-welder

If you look at the top right knob, it should be tagged 'down slope' (thats what i meant by 'ramp down' lol)

Yeah that's the one, but looks a couple of posts up and you'll see where I wrote that it's about a week away from getting here and I used the old machine to do those welds.
Old machine -> http://www.performanceforums.com/for...php?t=67262002



I reckon once I get the new machine I'll be able to do much nicer stuff.

[JESUS CHRIST]

Ooops, my mistake...

Ill be interested to see how you go. I found it difficult welding thin (say 1.5mm) butt welds in a long continous weld. Getting the weld 'nice looking' is extremely difficult. As the parent material heats up, you have to chase the weld faster and faster. Maybe i should have done smaller sections at a time (say 20mm max)??

See if you can post up some pics, i might get inspired to go out and do some practice and get some tips from the pro's that must be on here.

[da9jeff]

anyone have an opinion on the CIG transmig 175i? im looking for a good mig (but i can do arc) but these jiggers have tig aswell which would be handy to learn.

[asterisk]

Choppo - foot pedal will help you out massively there. Back the amperage off as you move along

[JESUS CHRIST]

Choppo - foot pedal will help you out massively there. Back the amperage off as you move along

Funny thing is i bought a foot pedal (on back order) for that reason - it didn't arrive till after i finished the project! i.e. yet to use it

[Billzilla]

It finally arrived. :D
Now all I have to do it learn how to use it.

[Buco_73]

Great stuff, you will have shit loads of fun with that thing.

Just make sure all your aluminium is clean and get yourself a stainless steel brush for prepping the weld area. And don't contaminate the brush, also some steel wool is good. Butt welds are the most dirty, helps with cheaper machines to clean the weld zone really well.
For clean aluminium welds sharpen the tungsten like you would for steel on a bench grinder, grinding along the axis of the tungsten. Then just take the tip off to a diameter of 1mm. Helps a lot with arc control.

[Billzilla]

Yep am doing all that already thanks.
I'll give the machine a run tomorrow and see how it goes.