Thanks for all the help and tips so far.

I got a bottle of argon, some 1/16 and 3/32 electrodes and rods and got started.

Questions so far...

1 - the torch coolant water pump needs replacing, but it seems to work OK without. Are there any problems using it without the cooling system working other than the torch getting warm?

2 - How do most of hold stuff and which direction do you travel..it seems to me that the torch in your right hand and rod in the left is most natural but which way to travel right to left?

3 - Needless to say I am pretty crappy so far, but I am welding stuff together strongly just not pretty....so does the knack come gradually? or suddenly one day it all clicks?

Thanks again,

Alan

quote:

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Originally posted by Alan B
Thanks for all the help and tips so far.

I got a bottle of argon, some 1/16 and 3/32 electrodes and rods and got started.



3/32 will be fine. Keep it sharpened to a 2 x dia point. Grind lines down the length.


Questions so far...

1 - the torch coolant water pump needs replacing, but it seems to work OK without. Are there any problems using it without the cooling system working other than the torch getting warm?



The power cable will be a thin copper braid, designed to be kept cool by the water. It could melt into the water tube that it runs inside.
Non water cooled leads have a thicker cable so they don't get so hot.

Could you connect up to mains water or rig up a fish tank pump?
You only need a trickle.

I use a pond fountain pump and car heater rad.


2 - How do most of hold stuff and which direction do you travel..it seems to me that the torch in your right hand and rod in the left is most natural but which way to travel right to left?

Travel towards the filler rod.


3 - Needless to say I am pretty crappy so far, but I am welding stuff together strongly just not pretty....so does the knack come gradually? or suddenly one day it all clicks?

Tig welding is all down to rhythm. It will come.

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There are some good basic tips on this web site, Its even got pictures (i need things like that)

[url=http://www.millerwelds.com/education/tech_tips/TIG_tips/]

I made a torch watercooler using a central heating pump, good for 250 amps in a tiny wp200 torch.

You definately need to keep water flowing or you will destroy the torch and leads.

Water cooled are far superior to air cooled as the torch is much lighter and easier to use.

Regards Mark

will second that, I'd only really seen air cooled torches until I got my water cooled setup, and I'm glad I did, the torch is very small and with extra short back cap and small ceramic etc you can get in very tight spots!

hi hope thie helps ive been welding for about 12 years but everyones diffrent on how they weld
first hold the gun in your right and tilt the gun to the right like your holding a pencil and push to the left and rod in your left. stainless steel say about 2mm -3mm you need 316 rods and you will need the power about 30-40 it depends on how fast you am at doing it. but when you arc up you dont want to be take ages to get it to melt cus if is does. it wont melt nice and you wont get a nice weld but not to much power you just blow it away lol. this is the easyst way to start to learn arc up start melting but dont wack the rod in right away let it melt just a bit then dab the rod on a bit dont push loads in but enough to weld if you get what i mean then push the touch forward a bit then dab push dab push dab push dab its all about the timing and not shaking. try to say in your head push dab push dab to get a rythem with your hand then you can start going faster and more power. if you touch the tip on the weld sharpen it and you want the tip sharpened about 5mm-8mm long on the tip of the tungsen and you want the gas set if you put the torch by your ear you want a gentle pssssssss not a gale wind
its the same for steel but you will need more power and diff rods
stainless dc
steel dc
alloy ac hope this helps adam

[Edited on 13/3/07 by oadamo]