Please Post Tig Welding on Sheet Metal

[ChainDriven]

Im going to attempt my first tig welding on some 22gauge sheet metal this coming monday and id like to see what this is 'suppose' to look like. I have little experience with tig welding at all, but im decent (so id like to think). Im concerned it will be harder then 'thicker' material (3/16'') as it would be easier to burn through with the arc. Input and picture please!

edit - this will be steel 22gauge using a miller econotig with 75 argon/25 co2 gas

Thanks,
Rob

[terr1bleone]

only use 100% argon when tig welding

[Joe H]

Yeah, that C25 won't work. Your tungsten will not last 2 seconds.

[chopper5]

argon ONLY!and 1/16 tungston

[David R]

I did some 23 guage, Its tough.

David

[ChainDriven]

thanks for the input on the gas :)

[zapster]

I don't have anything that thin..
Or I would just for laffs...
Sorry..

...zap!

[Joe H]

22GA mild steel is pretty easy with an EconoTIG. You are gonna have her turned all the way down though. I've done a good bit of 22ga stainless with mine, and it's a bit hairy. It's ok when I've got a heat sink behind the weld, but anywhere I can't get a sink I have to switch to AC to reduce the heat input.
With stuff this thin you want a really good tight fit with no gap. I usually just fuse thin sheet like that with no filler. You'll need a little though if the fit isn't perfect, I prefer .040" filler.

As you know I'm sure, just make quick short 1" or so beads, and skip around.

I'll try to get a few pics for you today. They look just like regulat TIG welds, only tiny, maybe 1/8" wide.

[WelderBoy]

It's hard. I've done 23g before and it was a very fine line between melting point and blowing through. Good luck.

[phila.renewal]

Try this on the thin stuff . . .

Start your puddle away from the edge and dip; now drive the puddle to the edge while dipping again; now you can weld the butt without burning through (keep dipping and keep it moving at a fast pace -- the dips will cool the puddle and give you enough material to prevent a hole).

The first dips create a slightly thicker area of metal at the puddle you can work with without burning through and you go from there.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow if I can get a few minutes to set some up and take a pic, parameters, etc.

My TIG welding sucks but I've done a lot of practice with the thin stuff (it's cheaper as practice scrap).

[Joe H]

It's easy as pie if you have a good tight fit up. There really is no sense in using filler at all. That is, unless you are a purist type autoboy guy who does the planishing and wheeling.