BNJeepsta

If you're sticking the tungsten then you either have the rod out too far or the gun at the wrong angle. Set up a good sized T joint and practice walking the cup. That should help you get the feel for it.

Boostwerks.com

Couple tips I've learned over the years and use almost everyday:

Setup:
- Sharpen both ends of the tungsten to get the most use out of it without having to hit up the grinder every 5 seconds.
- Use a cordless drill to sharpen the tungsten instead of your fingers. It's the poor man's tungsten grinder.
- Get the largest gas lense possible. Gas coverage is absolutely critical.
- Clean, Clean, Clean. This not only helps keep your weld contamination free, but also keeps your tungsten clean as well. Mild steel will need the carbon removed.

Method:
- Start simple! Even before striking an arc, get used to holding the torch with the tungsten 1/16-1/8" from the material. "dry run" as much as you can by simply moving the torch over the material. This will help teach your brain what your body needs to do, in addition to saving your tungsten until your ready.
- Comfort is Key. If you feel like you could fall asleep in your current position, your ready to weld.
- Once comfortable, you can start making some puddles. However, newbs should always begin without filler. This is probably the biggest mistake that I see new TIG welders make. Focus on starting a puddle on some flat stock and getting the "feel" for the puddle. Slowly pulsing the pedal can also help you begin to get a feel for puddle size and develop a rhythm.
- Only once you've master'd puddle control should you begin to practice with filler.
- Learning to TIG can be a huge test of your patience. It is very beneficial to anyone learning that they understand this from the beginning. However, once you get the basics down everything else will eventually fall in place.

loganmccool

thanks brother I'll try this tomorrow morning when I go to the shop

leaftye

That's the plan. I haven't decided if that will be sooner or later though. I doubt I'll do mig unless I find myself getting paid to do it. Stick and tig will be good enough if it's just for my hobbies.

94XjSport94

Poison spyder TJ weld in cage:

Larry's XJ

What would be a decent thickness for a small welding table, about 2'x3'?

loganmccool

1/4"

wiggles

I wouldn't go any thinner than 3/8", it is pretty easy to warp 1/4". Most guys use 1/2-1"

BNJeepsta

X2. If all you're doing is tacking stuff up, 1/4" will work but, 1/2" is much better suited for welding on.

loganmccool

The one I use at work to weld small pipe flanges is 1/4 works fine for me yeah it'll heat up but never warped since I've been there

Rogue4x4

Check these out:



Some of the plumbing on a hydraulic pump I changed out the other day...the welds are about an inch and a quarter wide. Obviously robot welded, but weld **** is weld ****, LOL

Rogue4x4

Fantastic.

Rogue4x4

I posted up some safety chain posts I welded up for work the other day...here's the finished product:






The closest post in the last picture has already been hit twice. By forklift operators who just don't GAF. Bent the mounting plate to ****, but my welds held up fine!

XJwonders

good job!

XJwonders

Welded the block off plate on the 231...