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A Beginners’ Guide: GTAW Welding Techniques and Tips

Any welder should know GTAW welding techniques and tips to ensure a good weld. Here is a guide on TIG welding for beginners to make the process quick and safe for everyone.

GTAW welding techniques and tips

Before the GTAW welding process starts, all grease, oil, dirt, rust andGtaw welding techniques other contaminants should be removed from the areas to be welded. You can do this by the use of liquid or vapor cleansers of by mechanical means. Striking the arc can be done by momentarily touching the electrode to the work and quickly withdrawing it; using a apparatus to cause a spark to jump from the electrode to the work; and using an apparatus that initiates and maintains a small pilot arc, giving an ionized path for the main arc.

GTAW Welding: High Frequency Arc Stabilizers

High frequency arc stabilizers are needed when alternating current is used. They give the kind of arc starting described above. High frequency arc initiation occurs when a high-voltage, high-frequency signal is superimposed on the welding circuit. High voltage ionizes the shielding gas between the work piece and electrode, making the gas conducive so it initiates the arc. Inert gases are not conducive until they are ionized. For DC welding, the high frequency voltage is cut off after arc initiation. With AC welding, however, it mostly remains on during the welding, especially when welding aluminum.

GTAW Welding: Operating Variables

Briefly summarized, for TIG welding for beginners, the major welding process operating variables are: welding current, voltage, and power source characteristics; electrode composition, shape and current carrying capacity; shielding gas (welding-grade helium, argon or mixtures of both); filler metals that are generally the same to the metal being joined and suitable for the intended service

GTAW Welding: Techniques and Tips

1. Check the recommended gas flow based on the selected nozzle and the metal size. Adjust the gas welding machine to the suggested kind of amperage and current for the welding process being performed.

2. Turn the welder on and locate the foot control. Place the control in an area that is most comfortable. Press the foot control and strike the arc. Check your TIG welding manual for more information.

3. Once a puddle is formed, add the filler rod to the leading edge. To reduce chances of contaminating the tungsten, move the TIG welding torch to the back of the puddle once the filler rod is added.

4. Clean all metal surfaces and joints to be welded with a mechanical (grinding, scraping or bruising with a wire brush) or chemical process. Take note that the wire brush should be made of the same material as the material being welded (except for aluminum which can be cleaned using a stainless steel brush. Chemical solvents range from harsh chemicals like acetone and the light cleaning properties of alcohol.

5. Know the metal size. Except for aluminum and magnesium, the welding process should not be used with metals over 1/4 inch. Metals that are under 3/16 inch may not require edge prep. Metals that have a thickness of more than 3/16 inches require machined or ground edges to help bead penetration.

GTAW Welding: How to Stop Welding

Welding is stopped by shutting the current off with foot-or-hand controlled switches that allow the welder to start, adjust, and stop the welding current. They also allow the welder to control the welding current to get good fusion and penetration. TIG welding can also be stopped by quickly withdrawing the electrode from the current, although this can disturb the gas shielding and expose the weld pool and tungsten to oxidation. Shielding gas has to stay on for several seconds to keep the molten puddle, filler rod ad tungsten electrode from being contaminated.

GTAW Welding: Filler Metals

In the TIG welding process, the base metal thickness and joint design determine whether or not the filler metal has to be added to the joints. If the filler metal is added during manual welding, it is applied by feeding the welding rod manually into the pool of molten metal ahead of the arc, but to one side of the center line.

Knowing the right GTAW welding techniques and tips is important before you start your project. However, this can be too confusing for those who have little to no experience. In this case, you should be better off hiring a certified welder and allow him to do the job for you. Aside from ensuring a safe and effective welding job, you should have the peace of mind that the end results are of high quality, one that will last for a very long time.

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TIG Welding Process: Know the When, Where and Why

Giving the highest weld quality, the TIG welding process is one of the most versatile when it comes to the material to be used and its position. When it comes to weld versatility and integrity, this process is the best choice.

TIG welding process gives the highest quality

Of all arc welding processes, it is the tungstel inert gas orwelding TIG welding process that is capable of achieving the highest quality welds. It is also the most versatile when it comes to what can be welded and the position of the welds. Only metal inert gas (MIG) welding comes close, but TIG still comes out on top for weld versatility and integrity. Read on as we go through the basics of this process, along with some of its most common applications.

But just like in many industrial processes, quality comes at the expense of time. TIG is generally slower compared to manual metal arc (MMA), but where weld is important, production engineers are prepared to work with the additional process time. However, there are some cases where a welded joint will use TIG along with MIG welding. For instance, when joining pipes for offshore applications, TIG can be specified for the root weld and then MIG for the subsequent runs. This gives high integrity, which is important at the root, along with the quality and speed of MIG for the rest of the joint.

TIG welding is considered to be a very versatile process. The TIG welding process parameters can practically be used with any weldable metals, including different metals with thickness from half a millimeter onward. TIG welding machines are mostly available in current ratings between 150A and 350A and are able to operate at currents as low as 3A for a 150A machine. Also, TIG machines can be used for MMA welding and brazing, which should aid in improving the return on an investment in a TIG equipment.

The most commonly used gas for the TIG welding process for all materials is pure argon

A combination of argon and helium when welding copper and aluminum because added heat is needed fo helium. This the opposite of the MIG welding process, where there is a specific gas or gas mixture for a certain material to be welded. However, TIG operatives have to aware that the right tungsten electrode has to be used. Otherwise, problems can be encountered in striking the arc and maintaining a stable arc. TIG can be done with or without a filler wire, just like oxyacetylene gas welding.

One of the many advantages of TIG welding is that the wold only processes high integrity and give an aesthetic surface finish

Consequently, welds can mostly be left as is without any need for grinding. This is advantageous when it comes to time saved, and it avoids problems with grinding in site, like dust and noise. Depending on the TIG welding material used, the operative can have control over most of the weld parameters, therefore optimizing the weld quality. Modern TIG power sources are lighter and more portable than traditional unis, so on-site TIG welding is commonplace.

The usual applications for TIG welding include architectural stainless steel fabrications like balustrades

More unconventional applications include jewelry, dentistry and titanium. For low-current and fine work applications, TIG is increasingly being used as a more versatile alternative to micro-plasma welding. Skilled operatives are able to produce excellent results with TIG welding, although automation can be economically used on straight arcs and runs to avoid variances associated with operative skill levels or fatigue.

In welding applications, the most costly element is mostly the welding operative. Therefore, it is a relatively simple matter to determine the savings from automating a TIG welding process and the expected payback period that can be expected when automating a TIG welding operation. Among all welding process, TIG requires the highest skill level, primarily because it is a two-handed process, with one hand required for the filler wire and the other for the TIG torch. Even autogenous welding requires good skills.

If a fabricator is considering investing in TIG welding, there are many training providers available nationwide. They can train an operative from scratch or retrain an operative who has used MIG, MMA or gas welding. Interestingly, welders who has had experience with gas welding mostly find it easiest to make the transition because they are used to hand feeding a filler wire. TIG welding is based on a simple concept, but the process is still continually being developed.

Generally speaking, TIG welding is best for niche applications where weld integrity and aesthetics are more important than speed. With this said TIG welding is also the most versatile of all welding processes in terms of the materials is can weld, the material thickness, the option to use a filler wire or not, and the way it can be used for welding of any position. Contact a certified welding company now to help you with your projects.

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TIG Welding Techniques For The Best Welds

If you are learning TIG welding techniques or are just trying to be a TIG welder, the last thing that should come up to speed is the hand feeding the rod. In kindergarten, we all learned how to hold a big crayon and this is not too different from holding a TIG torch. If the hand that feeds the filler rod is a bit of a slow learner, a really thin glove helps. If you’re having problems feeling the wire, try mechanical gloves or woven cotton gloves. Below are more techniques and tips to help you out.

TIG Welding Techniques

Choose the Right-Size TIG Welding Rod

TIG weldingFor sheet metal up to 1/8-inch thick, do not use a welding rod bigger than the thickness of the metal you’re welding. The amperage is low and the weld puddle needs to be small to prevent blowing a hole. When you dip the rod into the puddle, the rod sucks the heat from the puddle, making it hard to maintain a consistent size bead. It is best that beginners should not practice with thin metal.

TIG Torch Handle Should be 10 Degrees or Less

Ideally, the torch angle should only measure around 10 degrees or less. If you have too much torch angle, the heat will be deflected and the rod will melt even before you get into the puddle. This will cause the rod to ball up and blog into the puddle. You want to slip the filler rod into the puddle so you get a consistent bead. Exceptions to this include when you’re using a lay wire technique and are leaning the torch back while you walk the cup.

Never Let a Ball Form at the Rod End

If this happens, you are doing something wrong. It might be because, you are looking an arc that’s too long, too much torch angle, bad filler rod angle, not enough amperage or a combination of these things. The most common of these among newbies are using too much torch angle and too long an arc. A long arc means heat is not concentrated and you get this big heated arc plume like you would get with a gas welding torch.

TIG Welding Process

Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes are Radioactive

Many people say 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes are mildly radioactive, but 2% lanthanated electrodes are just as good as 2% thoriated. So if you are scared if thoriated tungsten but you are even more scared of crappy electrodes that don’t work as well, use 2% lanthanated (they are colored blue). Take note that the blue ones are not brittle like 2% thoriated electrodes. Also, they splinter if you try to break them or snip with dykes.

Use the Smallest Tungsten for the Job

Use the smallest tungsten within reason. Another way of saying this is to not just use 1/8-inch electrodes for everything. There are jobs where this small electrode is great. But if you are welding on the edge of a 0.3-inch turbine blade, a 0.4-inch electrode should be good enough to handle the 15 amps and give much better starts compared to a 1/16-inch electrode.

Get A Certified TIG Welder

While you can very well do MIG welding or TIG welding process on your own, perhaps it would be a better idea to pass on complicated weld jobs over to a person or a company that’s more experienced. Contact a certified TIG welder so you can get started.

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5 Helpful Tips to Improve Your TIG Welding Skills

TIG Welding – The Most Versatile Welding Process

TIG welding is versatile process of welding. However, its biggest drawback is that it is generally a slow process. dan's certified gtaw weldingIt’s a good thing that there are some tips to help you complete a quality TIG welding skills in the soonest time possible.

TIG welding might be a slow process but it most definitely is a very versatile one. Among all the other welding processes, it just might be the only one that is able to handle the most variety of materials, even those that are heavy-alloyed and toxic. TIG welding is also best for thin materials, thanks to its low heat input which prevents burn-troughs. And as if all these are not good enough, this welding process yields the highest quality welding, no matter what application.

Just because TIG welding yields the most positive results, it does necessarily mean that you can simply rely on your training and practice. Patience and efficiency are just as important as well. Below are some tips to help you improve these.

How To Improve Your TIG Welding Skills

Use An Inverter

The use of an inverter power source greatly improves your efficiency in TIG welding, providing you with a smooth arc for a consistent welding performance. Through this, the focus of the arc is narrowed, creating a narrower weld bead and minimizing the heat-affected zone. Thus, you are able to complete the welding job at a faster speed. Inverters also have a balance control feature, something that is very useful when working with aluminum. This will also allow you to finish the job faster.

Choose The Right Torch

The right TIG torch will help you have an efficient welding job. First of all, you need to select a torch that has good insulation. Also determine whether you will need a TIG torch that is water or air-cooled. Water-cooled are best for applications over 200 amps while air-cooled is used for low amps. Finally, consider what you will weld. If you will work for something that will require you to do some maneuvering, it would be best to pick a TIG welding torch that has a flexible neck.

Protect Yourself

If it is at all possible, use gas lens as they will improve shielding gas coverage as well as offer you better joint accessibility (which should greatly improve your TIG welding efficiency. These lenses evenly distributes gas to help in the prevention of oxygen contamination as well as allow you to properly work in those heard-to-reach areas like the “K”, “T” and “Y” joints.

Avoid Over-welding

Over welding will greatly improve your efficiency in TIG welding and (probably more importantly) help you save on cash. This occurs when you put more weld metal in a particular joint then necessary because of a number of factors. To prevent this, you need to ensure that the joints of your welding project are not over-designed. Close fit-up and proper joint preparation are your best defences against over welding.

Get To The Point

The type of tungsten that you will use will depend on your power source and material to be weld. The type and shape of the tungsten can have a big impact on your TIG welding efficiency. For DC and AC welding (with an inverter), a pointed or truncated tip is best. For lower amperage on thin materials, grind the tungsten to a point. On the other hand, grinding the tungsten to a truncated tip will be best of higher amp applications.

Contact Us For Fast and Quality TIG Welding Job

Remember that no TIG welding (or any welding operation for that matter) job yields a perfect result. However, if you want one that is near perfect, contact us. With thirty years of experience under our belt, we have been creating the highest quality parts for a variety of technologies. We have been a Boeing approved supplier for more than three decades so we should be able to take on any TIG welding job with the best quality results.

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