Welders Corner

[Guest]

Aight, got a question for the welders in here...

I just got my EconoTig tonight, and haven't had a chance to set it up yet, but I was wondering about the gas.

In teh video that comes with the machine, it shows Argon as the gas, now my question is, does it have to be straight Argon, or can it be a mix, like Argosheild? Where I get my Mig gass from, only has the mixed gas IIRC.

[RednBlack]

If you are welding steel, mix is fine, but aluminum needs 100% Argon.

[geoffinbc]

Straight argon is the most common gas for TIG and can be used to weld all metals.

Tig *should* use a completly inert gas or a mix gas that has a very low concentration of non inert gasses. I have never tried to use something like a 75/25 mix.

Argon, Argon/Helium or an Argon/Hydrogen mix should be used. Argon/Hydrogen mixes are often used to improve weld cleaning and weld speed. In high alloy metals it may cause hydrogen cracking. In aluminum it may cause porosities. Argon/Helium will increase heat and thus increase speed and penetration. You may find the arc harder to start. It also costs more.

[Guest]

So you guys suggest I get straight argon, and no mix then, eh?

Oh what do you guys use to grind the tungstun tip? I'd like to avoid buying a new grinding wheel for the bench grinder, just for the tungstun, because of how little I can see me needing to do use it.

Any body use a grinding stone on a Dremel or similar tool?

[El_Diablo]

you'll get a better tip with a wheel

i would keep maybe 2 tanks handy but thats just me (im a lil anal about my tools)

[geoffinbc]

Yup your going to want a fine wheel for grinding tungsten. And remember to always grind parallel to the tip.

[Guest]

Yup your going to want a fine wheel for grinding tungsten. And remember to always grind parallel to the tip.

Ok, but do I really need a dedicated wheel for the tungsten?

[El_Diablo]

it doesn't have to be dedicated... just contaminant free

[geoffinbc]

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/TIGhandbook/

Download that

Your wheel should be deditcted for tungsten and be of a very hard material. Diamond or Borazon should be used according to Miller.

[El_Diablo]

Your wheel should be deditcted for tungsten...

since when?

i just thought as long as it was clean and you weren't getting any contamination you were fine.... aparently more than a few guys i know think the same

[geoffinbc]

Well yea if it is clean. But how can you gurentee that? That is why they suggest you have a dedicated wheel.

[El_Diablo]

well even with a dedicated wheel its not 100% clean, im talking free of other materials on the wheel

[RednBlack]

Unless you are welding inconel, or some other exotic metal, you do not need a "dedicated" wheel. For anything you do in your home shop, I think your dremel will do just fine. Even stainless. And if you do take on aluminum, you do not need to grind at all. Turn to reverse polarity and strike an arc on steel, forming a shiny little ball on your tungsten.

[eliteweapons]

Just buy a lincoln ac/dc welder. its only about $100 more than the straight dc welder and you can buy a tig torch from campbell hausfeld add gas and off ya go. a tig for under $600.00

[geoffinbc]

I cut a batch of 250 lenses for Big Window Elite™ Series helmets. I don't need this many so I am gonna sell about 200 lenses. Gonna sell then for $2.50CDN each which is about half the money you pay in any retail store.

The lenses are all cut from 1/16" polycarbonate (Lexan) which is what bullet proof plastic is made from. However these are not bullet proof they are too thin.

If your a welder and interested then PM me.