Hello and Tig Q's

[JammerGear]

Hello, I'm new to the forum so a little background is in order, I guess. I wen't to the Airco school in L.A. in the 80's and received my L.A.City cert. worked in the trade for a while, moved up north, changed career directions and have just been a hobby welder since. Recently aquired some property with a barn and am finally going to get to set up a place to to do some projects. I'm looking at the new Linc. Presion Tig 185 as a next puchase, any input or alternates I should consider?? Has anyone used Welco Chem Sharp for electrode sharpening? I've been lurking here for a while and think that this is the best resource on the web. The knowledge base here is impressive! Looking forward to the input from the regulars (you know who you are..)
Thanks
David

[Mike W]

Hi and welcome Jammer.

Do you really want a tig instead of a mig? I have both and use the mig 98% of the time. If I had to use the tig for most of my welds, I wouldn't get as much stuff built.

[JammerGear]

Yes, I already have a mig. I'm going to be building some things with tube (go kart, lawn furnuture, art work etc, possibly a chopper frame) , besides just wanting to learn another process. I was a pretty proficient gas welder growing up so hopefully I'll pick it up after some practice, practice, practice......more practice.
Thanks

[Tim]

I bought a jar of chem electrode sharpening powder on the advice of the guy at the counter. It works, but takes some practice to get the hang of it. It might be handy out in the field, should you run out of pre-sharpened electrodes. But, it's not the same as sharpening them on a grinder. On a grinder, you can set the angle, the size of the flat spot, and not waste any electrode doing it. With the chemsharp, you dip a red hot electrode into the powder after arcing or shorting it on some scrap and have to quickly dip it into the power where some strange sizzling, swirling reaction miraculously melts off the end of your electrode into some point ranging from what looks like a needle to a dull point to an hourglass. I didn't see any reference to chemsharp in any of my welding texts, they all speak only of using a grinder, so I still think grinding is the preferred technique. Everything I've read says consistent electrode preparation is critical to a consistent welding technique. What with rechargeable devices and low cost inverter power supplies, some portable sharpening device should be practical out in the field for those who need portability. I'd pass on the stuff.

[JammerGear]

Thanks Tim, I was wondering how a chemical process could be controllable and repeatable with so many variables, Electrode heat, timing etc. Sounds like might be ok in a emergency..But I agree there are other options for field work, most all my welding is done in the shop anyway.
David

[ddsmith]

I have a Lincoln 175 Squarewave Tig and I love it. The only issue is it is not what you would call portable. I'm considering a Miller Maxstar 150 STR as a portable tig unit. I think if your use to gas welding you'll at least have one hand down. The filler hand that is. Then the thing you'll have to work on is not dipping the tungsten into the weld pool. I love tig welding. No slag and the most control for a process. That foot pedal is great for ultimate control. In my opinion, it is the best process for high quality welds.