Five Tig Welding Tips
5 tig welding tips that should help you improve your welds... TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is a type of arc welding process which uses a tungsten electrode to make the actual weld. A shielding gas such as argon is used to protect the target area for the weld and some form of filler metal is usually, though not always used. TIG welding is especially suited to welding copper, magnesium, aluminium and stainless steel. TIG welding usually results in much stronger welds than other forms of arc welding, although this extra durability is purchased at the cost of a more complex welding process. Even veteran welders often face problems when they turn their hand to TIG welding for the first time. Below are a few tips designed to make sure that newcomers to TIG welding avoid some of the more common mistakes. - Tig Welding Tip #1: Secure the target well. Use a combination of clamps and tack welds to make sure the project you are going to TIG weld is held securely, and will maintain its form whilst welding. A secure target makes for a better weld and easier TIG welding.
- Always try and use the smallest tungsten electrode that will actually get the TIG welding job done. If the tungsten electrode is too big the weld area can become contaminated by a build up of excess weld due to insufficient current flow through the welding gun.
- Tig Welding Tip #3:Avoid welding in an area that is prone to drafts. TIG welding is particularly susceptible to problems caused by airflow from external sources interrupting the flow of the shielding gas. This is especially pronounced when using a hot shielding gas such as pure helium or a 75% helium and 25% argon mix.
- If filler metal is being used (almost always with TIG welding) then make sure it is fed into the weld smoothly, too much filler metal will result in a contaminated weld, too little will result in a weakened weld.
- Tig Welding Tip #5:Look out for a ball forming on the tip of the welding rod. When this happens it is a sure sign that the angle of the rod or welding torch is not aggressive enough.
These 5 tig welding tips should go a long way to ensuring that anyone new to TIG welding can avoid some of the more typical mistakes made when TIG welding. As with any type of welding, TIG welding becomes easier the more you practice. If you are new to TIG welding it is recommended that you practice with scrap metal stock before attempting any real projects. TIG welding is a great way of welding metals not suitable for simpler arc welding systems, but one which has a much steeper learning curve for the novice welder. Related: Tig Welding Video. Instructional DVD: Tig Welding Basics. Highly recommended. Copywright WcWelding.com All Rights Reserved.
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I speak Spanish, and then some English words are a problem because the online translators don't have them.
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