Welding a circular disc with TIG.

[chipz]

I am a new starter with tig and I would like some help on how to manipulate the torch when welding a flat disc to a flat plate.

I manage to weld about a qaurter of a circle but after that I can't get comfortable and then I wobble and the pool goes all over the place.

Also , If I catch the tungsten with the rod and it starts to hiss and crackle can I stop and let it cool then carry on or do I have to go and grind the tunsten again.

Thx

[Planet X]

Re: Welding a circular disc with TIG.

Originally posted by chipz
I am a new starter with tig and I would like some help on how to manipulate the torch when welding a flat disc to a flat plate.

I manage to weld about a qaurter of a circle but after that I can't get comfortable and then I wobble and the pool goes all over the place.

Also , If I catch the tungsten with the rod and it starts to hiss and crackle can I stop and let it cool then carry on or do I have to go and grind the tungsten again.

Thx

If tungsten inclusion and weld contaminants are no big deal you can keep welding until your arc becomes too distorted to control the puddle.

Well the beauty of tig is you get to control the heat with your foot-just ease up on the throttle and put the puddle in idle while you reposition your body parts to get back into a comfortable working angle.

[MikeR]

I learned a long time ago, that NO MATTER WHAT, a weld with lots of starts and stops ALLWAYS looks better (and is undoubtedly stronger) than a weld that you were uncomfortable making. The very SECOND you start to feel uncomfortable, STOP!!!!!!!!! Over time, you'll learn little tricks that will help you weld further. Remember, what works for one guy may or may not work for you. Practice, practice, practice!

Also, consider making yourself a positioning (rotary) table. I made one for (sorta) cheap, and it's night and day. Let me know if you'd like to see pictures of it.

[Mike Sherman]

Chip, do you go under another name on other welding boards? This exact same question was asked on another board. Just curious.

[morpheus]

what other welding boards do you frequent Mike ?

- jack

[Mike Sherman]

Just AWS.ORG, there are some very sharp people on that board.

[morpheus]

ok. thanks ... didn't know they had a msg board.

- jack

[Hobart Expert Rock]

CHIPZ..........IT IS A TECHNIQUE THAT FOR ME WAS QUITE HARD TO MASTER.......... USEING 3 PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO DO SOMETHING WAS A UNIQUE AND NOVEL THING FOR ME TO DO..... JUST STAY WITH IT THE MORE YOU PRACTICE THE BETTER YOU GET.............WELCOME ABOARD..............

MIKER.........I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT./.......,.....ROCK
[email protected]

[Roger]

Rock don't you ride motorcycles that require use use of both feet and hands all at same time.
Once had doctor test my leg reflexes then ask if I rode a motorcycle. He said motorcycle riders have better reflexes. I replied it was darwin principal working.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

HI ROGER...........YES BY GOLLY I DO RIDE MOTORCYCLES.......I DO LIKE FOOT CLUTCH'S, TANK SHIFTS, SPARK ADVANCE, NO TURN SIGNALS (HAND TURN SIGNALS) ETC.......... BUT DOING ALL THAT ON A SMALL SCALE WHILE WATCHING THE ARC......... ... NOW GIVE ME A HARDTALE FRAME WITH ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED ITEMS I'M SMOOTH./........... BUT GIVE ME TIG ON ALUMINUM WITH FILLER ..... I ALWAYS PRACTICE ON SCRAP FIRST......... I HALFT TO FIND THE FLOW AND RYTHUM AGAIN..............ROCK....
[email protected]

[Roger]

Yes, welding is rythumic dance without beat to follow unless your welder has a pulser.

[BillC]

Originally posted by MikeR
<<SNIP>>Also, consider making yourself a positioning (rotary) table. I made one for (sorta) cheap, and it's night and day. Let me know if you'd like to see pictures of it.

Mike,

I'd like to see a picture of it, please. Thanks!

[chipz]

OK lads my problem is me. I am trying to rush, after reading your messages and searching the board I feel I must relax get comfortable, dance like Gene Kelly and put a good run down whilst not concentrating.

WOW- its like learning to drive again.

Currently I am doing battle with the torch. It is a 30A torch on a 200A unit with 8 metres of bagging and the weight of the bagging is pulling my arm so I am fighting with the torch.
I have tried putting the bagging on a stool below the bench it gets rid of some of the weight but I feel I should not be doing this.

Thanks again

[Roger]

Try one or all of the following.

Could make light weight boom to support your welding lead.

Use spring loaded tool counter weight as used in industry.

Put small pully above your welding bench with line to welding lead and another pully near wall with weight at other end of line.

Put some hooks in overhead and hang welding lead from hook, maybe with short line or spring between hook and welding lead.

Lift heavy iron regularly so the welding lead seems lighter.

Might be better to get lighter more flexable welding lead probably water cooled.

[Mike Sherman]

Although current thinking is not to do this, some of us older guys just wrap the lead around our arm as we are welding. Try holding the torch like it's your lover, not like it is your worst enemy. A positioner would help you, but it is easy enough to do it without. Relax and just practice a bit. You will get it soon enough.