adminTIG welding can be a delicate process. It is essential to clean your materials and understand your equipment.
It is recommended that you practice in a well ventilated area. If you are a beginner, it may be beneficial to take a TiG welding for beginners course or training program.
1. Learn the basics
TIG welding requires a high degree of skill in order to produce high-quality welds. This is a manual technique, which means the welder must manage the heat control parameters and weld parameters very precisely. This is a difficult task for beginners without proper training and experience.
The arc is created by the tungsten electrode, which melts the base material and the filler material to form the weld. This is done using an inert gas, typically argon. The inert gases protect the arc against atmospheric contamination. This is important for achieving high quality welds. A contaminated welding electrode can emit impurities that cause poor arc stabilization and inclusions.
It’s important to select the right equipment when you first start out. We recommend Everlast PowerTIG, a machine which is ideal for new welders due to its portability. This model comes with a complete set of accessories to make it easy to start right out of the box.
2. Welding process: What is it?
Beginners may find TIG welding difficult due to the specialized tools and techniques required. It is important to practice and understand how the process works before attempting it on your own or at work.
Finding the right balance between heat and current is crucial to TIG welding. Too much heat will cause distortion and warping. Too little and the weld may be incomplete or inconsistent. It takes time to learn how to control the heat and achieve critical welds, but mastering the skill is what separates the best welders.
The welding surface must be clean and free from contamination. This includes paint, dirt, oil and rust. This will help prevent the weld puddle becoming discolored or contaminated while the weld is progressing. Wearing protective gear such as a helmet, gloves and long sleeves will help you avoid inhaling fumes. You’ll also need a welding torch with argon and the appropriate filler rods depending on your material thickness.
3. Understand the equipment
You will need a welding device and consumables like filler rods. The type and size of the welding machine depends on whether you use TIG or MIG, as well as the thickness of the metal. TIG welding is more precise and can be used on dissimilar metals.
It’s also important to understand the equipment’s settings. TIG welding requires a consistent travel angle and arc length, and beginners tend to have a hard time getting this right. The arc length should be between 1.1 and 1.5 times larger than the diameter of the tip. An excessive arc may cause spit in the weldpool, which can contaminate the metal.
Beginners should adjust the travel angle to 15-20 degrees and then adjust it as necessary. This will help you see the weld pool and feed the filler rod more easily. It’s a good idea also to wear comfortable clothes and avoid welding right after hammering, or any other physical activity. This will help keep your muscles relaxed, which can aid torch control.
4. Understanding the materials
TIG welding, also known as gas tungsten arc welding or GTAW, is more precise than other types of welding and works with a wide variety of materials. It can be applied to a wide range of applications, including creating sculptural art or building your own bike frames. To get the most out of this process, it is essential to understand what supplies are needed and how to properly use them.
It is also crucial to understand the work angle and torch angle. Beginners should start with a 15-20 degree travel angle and adjust as they learn. This will help them see the weld puddle easily and feed filler rod. To prevent burn-through and lack of fusion, it is important to maintain a constant travel speed.
It is important to choose the right type of shielding gas. There are many options, but the most common is argon because it is cheap and works with most metals. Helium is another option, but it’s more expensive and may create more heat than needed in certain cases.
5. Learn how to clean and prepare materials
TIG welding can be challenging for beginners but with some practice and technical skill it’s a fun way to create artistic sculptures for the yard, repair bikes or build anything from a home project to a full-scale commercial job. It’s important for new welders to know how to clean and prep the materials before welding. If there is any moisture or condensation on the metal or in the gas lines this can contaminate the weld and cause porosity. Before each use, it’s important to clean and inspect the torch and hoses. Make sure the hoses are free of any cuts or pin holes and that they are a suitable size for the work piece.
A common problem is the use of the wrong tungsten size or type, which can cause arc-starting issues. Use a ceriated tungsten or lanthanated, and select the correct electrode size based on the thickness of the work material. It’s also important to use a suitable gas flow rate and ensure that all of the electrical connections are secure. It’s important to maintain a consistent torch angle and travel rate to achieve a high-quality weld.