So I’ve been trying to teach myself to Tig weld stainless.
Turns out it’s pretty hard, but managed to finally make some decent progress earlier.
Learning to Tig weld
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steve2003rs6
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Re: Learning to Tig weld
It’s one of those jobs that you need to be doing on a regular basis.Otherwise you lose the knack.
In my time I have seen some amazing s/s welders.
I remember refusing to machine some welding as it looked like a work of art. Just total perfection.
Ps. Your attempts looks really good.
In my time I have seen some amazing s/s welders.
I remember refusing to machine some welding as it looked like a work of art. Just total perfection.
Ps. Your attempts looks really good.
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Yeah, I’ve got through quite a lot of gas and filler practicing so far!
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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Foxmeister
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Re: Learning to Tig weld
The standard on some exhausts ive seen, seems a shame hiding them under a car, do love a good TIG weld
Top pic looks really good
Top pic looks really good
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Some nice looking welds.
Where did you get the argon?
Where did you get the argon?
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
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"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Learning to Tig weld
I use https://www.sgsgases.co.uk/
No cylinder rental and lots of local motor factors stock them - I use 20 litre bottles.
No cylinder rental and lots of local motor factors stock them - I use 20 litre bottles.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Awesome. I always assumed you had to have a BOC subscription.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Yeah, BOC was the reason I didn't upgrade my welders for years and just used the biggest disposable bottles I could get. Expensive rental, not many suppliers, and then ones I could find were a pain in the arse.
SGS stuff is good - I have a couple of argon & argon/co2 mix bottles.
The only issue is that stainless needs a lot of argon to get proper coverage & afterflow and argon isn't cheap
SGS stuff is good - I have a couple of argon & argon/co2 mix bottles.
The only issue is that stainless needs a lot of argon to get proper coverage & afterflow and argon isn't cheap
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
Re: Learning to Tig weld
I never understood how difficult it was to weld stainless till I saw Mike Finnegans YouTube channel. No thanks, I want to go do something easy like learn astrophysics.
Re: Learning to Tig weld
I was getting quite frustrated with it. I was using normal cups for the shielding gas and welding as fast as I could. Literally couldn't dab filler any faster - but was still getting oxidation.
Until eventually I bought a gas lens cup and instantly things got easier.
Lots more practice needed to get consistency, but am happy with progress. I've read that some guys, especially those doing art with it, have a particular song they use to set the dab rate, or even some guys use a metronome when they're going for perfection. I'll be happy with functional and "not completely sh!t" as a decent enough standard.
Until eventually I bought a gas lens cup and instantly things got easier.
Lots more practice needed to get consistency, but am happy with progress. I've read that some guys, especially those doing art with it, have a particular song they use to set the dab rate, or even some guys use a metronome when they're going for perfection. I'll be happy with functional and "not completely sh!t" as a decent enough standard.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Ah, so we can expect you make some proper stainless exhaust systems and spaghetti manifolds 
If you can't go to the track, bring the track to you.
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MTM exhaust system cat back 4-pipe with throttle valves in 2 pipes, control
Yellow Koni's
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Fight ALS disease https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGFDWTC8B8g
Mugello Blue C5 RS6 Avant
Viper Tuning ECU/TCU
MTM Bimoto wheels 9,5 x 19 ET 30 LK 5x112 with 275/30/19 tyres
MTM exhaust system cat back 4-pipe with throttle valves in 2 pipes, control
Yellow Koni's
Porsche 959, gone but not forgotten.
Fight ALS disease https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGFDWTC8B8g
Re: Learning to Tig weld
Actually, I am. Starting with a crossover exhaust for the boat, and then want to do a proper set of headers for the Ultima. That's where this is all "heading"...
I did these welds - but was miffed with the oxidation, despite my test welds coming out OK and making sure I purged properly. So I went back to basics and started learning all again with lots of test pieces.
I know these welds below are not good enough - I'm not pretending they're good. But they are part of the learning.
I did these welds - but was miffed with the oxidation, despite my test welds coming out OK and making sure I purged properly. So I went back to basics and started learning all again with lots of test pieces.
I know these welds below are not good enough - I'm not pretending they're good. But they are part of the learning.
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"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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steve2003rs6
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Re: Learning to Tig weld
I love to see a tool board with all the tools in the right place.
Defines the character of the owner IMO.
A real fussy bugger who likes things just right.
It’s how it should be.
Having said that. I darnt send a photo of my tools.
The above photos really puts me to shame.
Better get my act together.
Defines the character of the owner IMO.
A real fussy bugger who likes things just right.
It’s how it should be.
Having said that. I darnt send a photo of my tools.
The above photos really puts me to shame.
Better get my act together.
Re: Learning to Tig weld
I can't promise it's always that tidy! But I will say the tool board is by far the most effective way I've found of keeping things tidy.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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steve2003rs6
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Re: Learning to Tig weld
Yes Matt. At work we always had shadow boards so that when a tool was not replaced it really stood out.
This was checked at the end of the day just before we all went home.
If one was missing we had to stay behind and find it.
This was checked at the end of the day just before we all went home.
If one was missing we had to stay behind and find it.
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