TIG welding

[sticklincoln450r]

Im 16 and have metal/welding shop in high school, been welding for about 4 years now, and am the best stick welder in shop, and a decent mig, but I've tried tig and cant seem to even lay down a bead.cant anyone give me any tips.

[TxRedneck]

Well I can give you some tips, but first I need to know what is going on. For starts I geuss I could say, with tig, its tough with three hands. First youve gotta try without filler rod. Once you can weld, or run a stringer bead without the filler, then add filler. Then you can butt two pieces together and start welding. When you first establish your arc, well before, set your machine to the max amps youll need. Use the decimal rule. For instance, 1/4" plate is .250 therefore 250 amps. 1/8" is .125 go with 125 amps. 1/16" is .0625 go with 63 amps. Then when you strike your arc, you should establish a puddle in the first 2-3 seconds. If its taking longer you need to add more heat. Once your puddle is established Get it the size you want, and move forward. You push with tig, opposite of dragging with stick. You can also use a circular motion works best for me, but most weaves or such will work. Good luck hope this helps some.
CHRIS

[Robin Hood]

Not to take away from the free hand guys, But give this a try http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=2738

[cassidy]

Coming from your background TIG will probably be a bit harder. Have patience, if you're that good at stick you will master TIG just take it easy.

I used to set my amps even lower than what Chris recommends reason being that I want to take it slower - have'nt got the feeding technique pat down yet + at the time I did'nt had a remote.

I agree with Chris start without filler. I've only recently started using filler and I sometimes do cheat - instead of dipping, I slide the rod into the puddle or on very thin sheet I just overlay the rod over the joint and weld. Not recommended I guess but hey if it gets the job done why not!

If you give the guys a detailled description of what you're doing and the results, I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

[TxRedneck]

I read Robin's post on how recommendation on walking the cup. Personally, if I was you I would try both and any other suggestions you might be given. They are both from two differnt schools of thought I suppose, but I think its worth it to ya to try em both. Kinda like how we all learn differntly and the best teacher is the one is understands that and offers their lessons in more than one form. Anyway, just my thoughts but also try walking the cup as Robin describes in his previous post. Hopefully between these two ideas we'll make a tigger outta you after all! Good luck
CHRIS

[wirehunt]

I've found one of the biggest advantages to learning TIG welding is practicing feeding the wire. Don't need to be anywhere near a machine to do it either! And practice with both hand's, a couple of hours a day in front of the TV for two or three day's and you'll be away. It means when your welding you don't have to think about it as it's natural then you can concentrate on the weld pool.

Cheers

[TxRedneck]

thats an awesome suggestion!
good luck
CHRIS