Matt@RFR... Mr Welder, Sir....

[BB69]

Mark,
No problem. Just let me know.



I purchased my welder from Flint Welding Supply. I was pretty happy with them. However, I use Wilson Welding because they are much more convenient, and I really like the guys behind the counter. I traded one guy a set of old Camaro front springs for the repair of my shielding gas hose (from regulator to welder). He makes lawn furniture with car parts.

As for learning TIG, I have no doubt you can be welding in under an hour. However, welding well is a whole other issue. I learned to weld with oxy/acetylene, so I already had an idea how to work with both hands. The extra pedal makes it a little harder. When I started my TIG class, I was really proud of myself (read cocky) because I was able to pick up the flat welds, in aluminum, pretty quick. The last two weeks I have been working on horizontal and vertical welds. Let's just say that I'm not so cocky any more. Some things I have learned: 1) clean metal makes all the difference (this has been covered, but it's so important with AL 2) any time spent getting your body, arms, etc in a good stable position is realized in the quality of your weld 3) with AL, your hands are going to get HOT. I bought a pair of TIG gloves, and stopped using them when I couldn't tell if the steam/smoke was my finger or the glove. This may be different with steel; I start with stainless in another week or so. 4) Have plenty of electrodes handy, as you will dunk the tip.

All that being said, I am really enjoying my TIG class. I'm guessing you will enjoy working with it as well. This reminds me I need to post some pics from the last few weeks. Again, let me know if I can help.

Ken

[astroracer]

Matt,
I loaded up the cylinder in the van last night. I will get it refilled tonight and pick up the new wire. I WILL try the new gas with the old wire first, like you suggested, just to see what happens. The wire Rocky is suggesting is Lincolns' Easy Feed #4 or #6. I will talk to him more about it tonight. I guess Crown makes a decent wire and it was recommended also.
I will be picking up tungstens and filler rod for the Tig "class" Saturday. I have a question on lens cups. Which do you use the most of? I have a few #4 & 6's which I figure will get the most use for welding coped tubing. I have nothing bigger though. I guess I should pick up a few 8's and 10's for flat work. Thanks for your help. I will post up some pics when I can.

Ken,
Where are you taking your Tig class? I would be interested in getting in on one if it was a reasonable distance from home...
That is a good point you brought up about "welding well". I know I will not be good enough to be doing any structural welding on the chassis right away. The 1 or 2 hours I spend Saturday will just get me kicked off so I can spend a lot more time getting better at it. I know it will take some time before I am comfortable with my ability. I will be drastically depleating my stock of scrap over the next few weeks...
Mark

[BB69]

I am going to Washtenaw CC in Ann Arbor. It's quite a drive for me, about an hour each way. I chose it for a few reasons:

1. Oakland CC filled up before I finished registering because they only had one class with 10 spots.
2. WCC has classes twice a day, 6 days a week.
3. WCC's class is only listed as 2 credits, so even though I pay out of county tuition, it's cheaper than OCC.

I have been very happy with the class. Basically we spend about 3.5 hours every Sat morning welding. If you need a demostration, there are 1-2 instructors who will come over. They will also give advice whenever needed. Otherwise, you have close to an unlimited supply of metal and supplies, and you weld to your heart's content. You are also welcome to show up any other time during the week when there is an open station. They have 20 TIG stations, so I don't think that would ever be a problem.

Finding a class was tough, but I am very happy to be going.

Ken

[astroracer]

Thanks Ken,
That wouldn't be to bad of a drive from Byron... about 45 mins...
I will check it out.
Did you do any looking in the Flint area? I will check with The Mott anex in Fenton. I thinks it's called the Great lakes tech center or something like that... I'll see what I can find out.
Mark

[BB69]

Thanks Ken,
That wouldn't be to bad of a drive from Byron... about 45 mins...
I will check it out.
Did you do any looking in the Flint area? I will check with The Mott anex in Fenton. I thinks it's called the Great lakes tech center or something like that... I'll see what I can find out.
Mark

I didn't look in the Flint area. I found WCC after looking in Oakland county and Livingston county. That was about the same time they had WCC featured on "Rides" for the SEMA car they put together for GM. It just seems to me they have some of the best programs in the area; based largely on the number of classes they offer. They have also been featured in, and used by, Car and Driver. GM, Ford, and DCX supposedly use them for welding as well. I know there are some GM guys in the shape cutting class on Sat morning.

Ken

Ken

[astroracer]

Well, Gentlemen... A new tank of gas solved the problem... I traded the old, out of test, 380cuft tank for a smaller 140cuft tank last night. Cost me 22 bucks... I noticed a difference as soon as I started welding! I am still using the cheap offshore wire and it can pull a decent bead.
I spent a couple of hours welding scrap together last night just to get back up to speed and was pulling some okay beads by the time I quit. I was playing with settings, moving the heat range around a lot and using different CFH settings on the flow meter so I haven't optimized anything yet but I am happy with the results I got last night. I have some issues with wire feed though. I can feel the wire dragging or binding in the gun so I will look into getting a wire lubricator today.
I will change out the wire tonight (I picked up a new 10lb roll last night) and see if THAT makes any difference.
I now know that MOST of the cradle I built was done with no shielding gas so it is going to be cut up. I am ordering new tubing today to start the build over. Chaulk one up to experience I guess...
Thank you all for your help and insight on this "problem"... Especially Matt. I'll post up some pics after I get things fine tuned...
Mark

[Matt@RFR]

Nevermind my question in your other thread, you answered it here.

I'm glad to hear you'll be using the new wire anyway. What did you end up buying?

Good wire can make a huge difference.

[Matt@RFR]

Mark, I've never heard of that wire, and Lincoln doesn't list it on their website. The two Lincoln wires that you'll find on the shelves of most welding supply shops is either L-50 or L-56.

L-50 is ER70S-3, which is best for clean material.

L-56 is ER70S-6, which is best for dirtier stuff, and doesn't wet out as well as the L-50.

As for TIG gas cups, I use a 10 for stainless and 4130N, an 8 for everything else unless I'm working in tight corners.