Thread: Need A Tig Answer Please

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I always use straight argon for tig, even in welding school, we used straight argon for everything we tigged, mix is for mig

Yeah, that guy at the weld shop was a real zero. He almost steered me wrong on that, plus he told me everything Dan needed to get started is in the Miller box. Wrong. I bought two 10 lb boxes of filler rod, and an end for the power cord, because Miller leaves the end off so you can wire right to a fuse box.

I had to pull info out of this guy every step of the way, and when I finally asked if there was anything else I should buy, he said "no, you have it all." Turns out there were no tungsten tips or what ever those things are you have to keep grinding occasionally, so I will have to go back there tomorrow.

I had to give Dan the tank and stuff early, because I couldn't lift it out of the trunk due to the weight of it. Obviously, he is happy, and can't wait until he and I go to the shop Xmas day so he can start practicing with it. Got it wired up tonight, and the lights came on, so I guess he is pretty much set.

I felt sort of bad buying the Tig on line, but after dealing with this local know-nothing, I don't feel bad at all. He had a chance to add to my purchase today, but it was me that had to keep asking questions and making suggestions.

Just want to say thanks again for all the helpful, quick responses so that I got the right stuff. I was more confused making this purchase than when I used to have to go into Fredricks of Hollywood for my wife or girlfriends Xmas gift.

Don

100% argon only, you don't need mixes it just cost more, only other gas you might need is if you are tigging heavy aluminum and need more heat so you would use helium

Ahh, But str8 argon works for aluminum also, even 1/2" aluminum. I just did some 1/2" aluminum welding a few days ago.

Dang!! This is almost a year old.

So, Don, how did it all work out? Did you go with straight argon?

In my learning experience, we were taught the following: straight argon for general TIG work, and a helium mix for some special stuff like heavy aluminum, if you wanted; argon-co2 mix on MIG, except for some special cases. I think it has to do with the composition of the filler metal, and the characteristics of, and the way the arc reacts with the base metal and the filler.

Originally Posted by Rrumbler

Dang!! This is almost a year old.

So, Don, how did it all work out? .

Don went on to do the weld, got married had 3 children and wrote a best seller entitled ''1001 uses for argon''. He stated the book was a gas to write, but the royalty checks "are gone'.

Originally Posted by pro70z28

Don went on to do the weld, got married had 3 children and wrote a best seller entitled ''1001 uses for argon''. He stated the book was a gas to write, but the royalty checks "are gone'.

LOL, he,he,he.....

You forgot about my ill-fated run for the Presidency and that little "incident" with Paris Hilton. .

We finally went with an argon mix. He won't be doing any aluminum in the forseeable future, so we didn't need pure argon. In fact, he has only played with the tig a few times so far, although he did tig the front shock tubes on his Brothers T.

Don

If your trying the 75/25 for tig welding, that explains why he hasn't used the tig much---use 100% argon and he'll use the tig all the time as the weld quality and appearance are so much better.

Jerry, you are right, and I lied!! It's been almost a year since I did this, and I forgot that we actually went with straight Argon. The mix I think is something in our Mig welder. I reread my posts and I did decide to go with Argon.

To double check, I called Miller today, and yes, argon is the preferred gas for tig as the welds are cleaner, even on steel. The reason he hasn't used it much is because he has become so comfortable and good with the mig. He needs to practice more on the tig.

Now you see why my run for the Presidency failed.


Don

& writing that book had to take the air out of your schedule also.