Bought a new Tig Welder, now to learn how to Tig ! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DemonZL1 · 06-21-2013, 11:01 PM

I'm pretty excited. Ordered it a few nights ago. It's a Miller Diversion 180. need something to help pass the time until the camaros hows up. So i decided to finally get a Tig welder and maybe start messing around a bit.

Why Tig? the challenge and the cleanliness.

If anyone has any tips on starting off, i'm all ears. Hell, if ya wanna brag about yourself, post up some pics of your welds.

Cam 427 · 06-25-2013, 06:11 PM

I've been thinking about the same welder. Post your results.

SUX2BU · 06-25-2013, 06:14 PM

I TIG welded for about 12 years. There are a lot of people who think they can TIG, but really can't. Best advice I can give is go slow when you start.

ToolFan66 · 06-25-2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

I TIG welded for about 12 years. There are a lot of people who think they can TIG, but really can't. Best advice I can give is go slow when you start.

Agreed!!! I welded for about 12 years as well, there is an art to it, especially with exotic metals, aluminum, chrome moly, ect!!

DemonZL1 · 07-01-2013, 02:40 PM

been watching youtube videos and what not but haven't fired it up yet. Awaiting a power cord with adapter to run off my unused dryer outlet.

shank0668 · 07-04-2013, 09:12 AM

From your trusted mod, CamaroSpike23
"Cut soda cans in half and weld them back together to practice tig welding."

DemonZL1 · 07-04-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shank0668

From your trusted mod, CamaroSpike23
"Cut soda cans in half and weld them back together to practice tig welding."

thats some thin chit man.

i'm liking this idea

Irnwkrkev · 07-04-2013, 02:44 PM

You need to practice indoors as a slight breeze will contaminate your weld. Tenting with weld shields or tarps can help outdoors.

Chassis work is easiest cause it's thicker, body work takes patience and staggering welds to avoid warping.

DemonZL1 · 07-04-2013, 03:40 PM

I have a wooden craftsman work bench that i put a large sheet of steel on top of. This is in my garage and will be my practice area. i can limit airflow with the garage doors. Still just waiting on my power cord. looks to be monday for that.

I bought steel and aluminum rods as well as 100% argon. I am unsure which to do first or more of. After watching that video though, i feel aluminum may be the best option since it cools so much quicker and doesn't require constant cleaning.

I'm having a tough time understanding the walking the cup. I can see how it works but pretty much all of the videos i watch, they aren't doing that method.

looked up the cut a can in half and didn't find anything about that. did find people welding the bottoms together.

heres an update to the previous video. like this one more because i'm able to see whats too much (somewhat) and what causes certain things. can't wait to fire my welder up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...&v=vWNZioJ_FOc

Mr Twisty · 07-04-2013, 05:48 PM

Welding aluminum cans together is advanced class. Start with thick stock and work your way down.

Practice running beads on fairly thick sheet, then cut it up and check your penetration. Bad welds can look pretty.

Mr pogo · 07-04-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolStoryBro

I'm pretty excited. Ordered it a few nights ago. It's a Miller Diversion 180. need something to help pass the time until the camaros hows up. So i decided to finally get a Tig welder and maybe start messing around a bit.

Why Tig? the challenge and the cleanliness.

If anyone has any tips on starting off, i'm all ears. Hell, if ya wanna brag about yourself, post up some pics of your welds.

study up on oxy-acetylene welding techniques, they apply directly to freehand tig welding.
back decades when I worked for Foster Farms I had free use of the tig welder besides using it for work, used to make fan shrouds, motorcycle chain guards and other chit.

ToolFan66 · 07-04-2013, 07:14 PM

Use helium or helium argon mix for aluminum, and argon for steel, and stainless.

EarlyApex · 08-15-2013, 01:24 PM

1. Get an auto darkening helmet, it will make it easier to start a arc and see what you are doing.
2. Straight argon is fine for most of the welding a DIY will ever do.
3. Go to www.weldingtipsandtricks.com for excellant training videos.
4. Practice practice practice.

Good luck and have fun

CFD · 08-15-2013, 01:50 PM

Straight Argon is ok, with a 180 amp machine preheating thicker aluminum pieces will make it much easier, clean your work with stainless steel brushes, learn proper grinding of the tungsten this is important to control arc. When learning, most find steel much easier to weld than aluminum.

06-21-2013, 11:01 PM	#1
DemonZL1 199 Drives: like a granny Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 1,916	Bought a new Tig Welder, now to learn how to Tig ! I'm pretty excited. Ordered it a few nights ago. It's a Miller Diversion 180. need something to help pass the time until the camaros hows up. So i decided to finally get a Tig welder and maybe start messing around a bit. Why Tig? the challenge and the cleanliness. If anyone has any tips on starting off, i'm all ears. Hell, if ya wanna brag about yourself, post up some pics of your welds. __________________ 2023 Silverado LZ0 Duramax 2021 Shock SS 1LE A10 www.youtube.com/@DemonWorksPerformance Anderson composites coupon code : Demon

06-25-2013, 06:14 PM	#3
SUX2BU Quit being a pu$$y Drives: FAST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sachse TX (DFW) Posts: 5,825 View My Garage	I TIG welded for about 12 years. There are a lot of people who think they can TIG, but really can't. Best advice I can give is go slow when you start. __________________ <----- Click HERE to see ALL of my mods/write ups

07-01-2013, 02:40 PM	#5
DemonZL1 199 Drives: like a granny Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 1,916	been watching youtube videos and what not but haven't fired it up yet. Awaiting a power cord with adapter to run off my unused dryer outlet. __________________ 2023 Silverado LZ0 Duramax 2021 Shock SS 1LE A10 www.youtube.com/@DemonWorksPerformance Anderson composites coupon code : Demon

07-04-2013, 03:40 PM	#9
DemonZL1 199 Drives: like a granny Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 1,916	I have a wooden craftsman work bench that i put a large sheet of steel on top of. This is in my garage and will be my practice area. i can limit airflow with the garage doors. Still just waiting on my power cord. looks to be monday for that. I bought steel and aluminum rods as well as 100% argon. I am unsure which to do first or more of. After watching that video though, i feel aluminum may be the best option since it cools so much quicker and doesn't require constant cleaning. I'm having a tough time understanding the walking the cup. I can see how it works but pretty much all of the videos i watch, they aren't doing that method. looked up the cut a can in half and didn't find anything about that. did find people welding the bottoms together. heres an update to the previous video. like this one more because i'm able to see whats too much (somewhat) and what causes certain things. can't wait to fire my welder up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...&v=vWNZioJ_FOc __________________ 2023 Silverado LZ0 Duramax 2021 Shock SS 1LE A10 www.youtube.com/@DemonWorksPerformance Anderson composites coupon code : Demon Last edited by DemonZL1; 07-04-2013 at 03:53 PM.

07-04-2013, 05:48 PM	#10
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,707	Welding aluminum cans together is advanced class. Start with thick stock and work your way down. Practice running beads on fairly thick sheet, then cut it up and check your penetration. Bad welds can look pretty. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

06-25-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Cam 427 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 677	I've been thinking about the same welder. Post your results.

07-04-2013, 09:12 AM	#6
shank0668 Drives: '14 LML/'06 LJ/'76 Trans Am Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,438 View My Garage	From your trusted mod, CamaroSpike23 "Cut soda cans in half and weld them back together to practice tig welding."

07-04-2013, 02:44 PM	#8
Irnwkrkev Drives: 2011 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 528	You need to practice indoors as a slight breeze will contaminate your weld. Tenting with weld shields or tarps can help outdoors. Chassis work is easiest cause it's thicker, body work takes patience and staggering welds to avoid warping.

07-04-2013, 07:14 PM	#12
ToolFan66 Drives: 2011 2SS 6.2L W/RS package Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,008	Use helium or helium argon mix for aluminum, and argon for steel, and stainless. __________________ KooKs LT Headers, Borla S-Type cat back, RotoFab CAI, Bo White PTB, RMCR tune...

08-15-2013, 01:24 PM	#13
EarlyApex Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Damascus Or Posts: 403	1. Get an auto darkening helmet, it will make it easier to start a arc and see what you are doing. 2. Straight argon is fine for most of the welding a DIY will ever do. 3. Go to www.weldingtipsandtricks.com for excellant training videos. 4. Practice practice practice. Good luck and have fun

08-15-2013, 01:50 PM	#14
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	Straight Argon is ok, with a 180 amp machine preheating thicker aluminum pieces will make it much easier, clean your work with stainless steel brushes, learn proper grinding of the tungsten this is important to control arc. When learning, most find steel much easier to weld than aluminum.