Welding classes have started again!

**BillC** · 08-12-2003, 10:20 AM

I started the new year of welding classes last night. I am now learning TIG. I started out running stringers to pad an aluminum plate. I have never gas welded, so this is a bit of a new experience for me. Certainly humbling... Once again my respect for those of you that have mastered these techniques. It only looks easy.

It sure is nice to have this great board to help in my learning process!

**MikeR** · 08-12-2003, 11:18 AM

Bill, do yourself a favor and start on stainless, then mild steel, then aluminum, if your teacher will let you do it that way. Stainless fuses the easiest, so you can run any kind of joint with out filler. Much easier to learn in my opinion. Plus, you don't have to worry about cleanliness so much with the steels, so you can just get right down to runnin' beads! Leave the tedious stuff for last!!!!

**BillC** · 08-12-2003, 12:46 PM

That's a good idea Mike. I was wondering why they started us out with aluminum, but since everybody took the same path I did not question it.

Thanks!

**MikeR** · 08-12-2003, 02:03 PM

I just think that there are so many frustrations with aluminum that it would be less frustrating on steel. You will see more progress, sooner. Have fun Bill, and lets see some pictures of your progress!

**INTP** · 08-12-2003, 06:10 PM

Having learned gas first, then mild steel TIG, I found aluminum to be difficult to TIG. Once you learn to see the puddle, it's easier, but I really think learning O/A first helps.

Enjoy!

**jason** · 08-12-2003, 07:53 PM

Well, here I go again, always aganst the grain, I think aluminum is the easiest to tig weld, SS is medium and steel is the hardest. I've never had any formal training on tig, maybe that has something to do with it, I don't know. Tig welding aluminum reminds me of soldering ... the puddle flows so nice.

Jason
________
vapir air one vaporizer

**echo8287** · 08-12-2003, 09:25 PM

Hey Bill I wish there was someplace nearby that I could go to to take some welding classes. The closest place is 55 miles so I cannot work and drive to it every day. Keep me informed on the Tig instructions as I just got a Dynasty 200 dx. I still haven't fired it up yet. I was waiting on a fitting for a gas valve, so I could hook up the argon. If you get some tips please share them with us. David

**BillC** · 08-13-2003, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by MikeR
<<SNIP>>Have fun Bill, and lets see some pictures of your progress!

OK Mike, Here's one from the second night. Padding the plate shows a tendency to start on the flat then drift up onto the previous weld. The two stringers at the bottom seem OK, and the very bottom stringer got way too hot. Oh well, I am having fun and learning!

**BillC** · 08-13-2003, 03:05 PM

Hopefully there is an attachment below...

**MikeR** · 08-13-2003, 03:43 PM

Bill, I'm impressed. I'll give you a hint though. Heat control is MUCH easier on bigger parts. Those little coupons get so hot so quickly that it's tough to control, especially on the last inch or so of the weld.

Keep it up!

**BillC** · 08-13-2003, 04:31 PM

Thanks Mike! What's the trick for cratering out? I have tried adding extra filler and slowly lowering the current, but it always seems to contract and form a crater. Will there always be some sort of crater in the last puddle or should it be convex? I will try searching the board for pictures from others.

**MikeR** · 08-13-2003, 05:07 PM

Bill, I don't even add that much extra filler when I stop. If you ramp down the power to where the puddle isn't fluid anymore, then hang there for a second to let the surrounding material cool alittle, then ramp down the rest of the way. I'll take a picture of one of mine and post it shortly.

**MikeR** · 08-13-2003, 06:13 PM

Bill, top one was just cutting the arc. Bottom bead I dipped filler, then ramped down. Middle one, just as I started ramping down, I added filler. I guess you could describe it as adding a cold tack to the top of the crater, but never shutting the arc off. ****, I think my verbal skills are comparable to my photography skills.

**MikeR** · 08-13-2003, 06:17 PM

No, I wasn't drunk, but I wish I could use that for an excuse. An off day I guess. Hey, atleast there's no crater!

You know, in real life, 99.9% of the time you won't have a bead that just ends anyway. Atleast that holds true with most of what I build. But it's probably good to know how to do anyway.

Hope these horrible pictures are of some help.

**Rocky D** · 08-13-2003, 08:31 PM

I agree with Mike, Bill...as starting out on stainless. They all weld basically similar but there are differences. Now you are learning how to add filler. Then you will learn to keep your bead srtaight, which is harder than it looks. As eliminating holes in the crater, I use a circular motion as I ramp down, or feather the current.

You are becoming the best of both worlds...engineer + weldor! <envy>