Started to learn tig welding today.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 85
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Started to learn tig welding today. Still need work but I am pretty happy with the results. Scored a 90% on it in class. Hopefully I'll start fabricating up my own custom parts in the near future.
Weld bead (sideways)
Graded by the instructor
Vertical
Penetration (backside)
Up close (vertical view)
********UPDATE 2/27/11*******
T joint
Weld bead (sideways)
Graded by the instructor
Vertical
Penetration (backside)
Up close (vertical view)
********UPDATE 2/27/11*******
T joint
Last edited by Mr.Nguyen; Feb 27, 2011 at 05:29 PM.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 374
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So I'm curious what was the reason for the 10% off?
Looks pretty decent, heat control could be a little better (not that I'm saying I can do better myself, I seem to be able to do things with a MIG most can't but I'm slow to learn with my TIG, I keep thinking a formal class might help...)
Looks pretty decent, heat control could be a little better (not that I'm saying I can do better myself, I seem to be able to do things with a MIG most can't but I'm slow to learn with my TIG, I keep thinking a formal class might help...)
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 85
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From: Las Vegas, NV
-10% was where the penetration got a little thin. Lol. The teacher is actually a welding inspector for the state of nv. So he is pretty critical. But any criticism will be taken as constructive criticism. Thoughts, comments, and tips will be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 85
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From: Las Vegas, NV
On picture number 4 where the white mark is on the back side of the work piece. That is where I got points taken off for penetration not meeting his standards. It did get a little thin.
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if you would have made it all thin like that it would have been 100... he probably just marked it because you varied from one spot to the other. It looks like the amount of weld surface excedes the material thickness by 200% .... its more than good. LS1 Tech Stories
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From: Webb City, MO...out in the garage
It was still 100% penetration. I used to TIG weld vessels as a ASME section 5 welder for 9 years.. Made stuff for Cali (earthquake code) to hold 10,000psi of natural gas.....very strict standards, x-ray tests...etc..... 100% is 100%....lol. If he marked me down for that saying it was "thin" I would have told him to go to hell and called him an idiot. if you would have made it all thin like that it would have been 100... he probably just marked it because you varied from one spot to the other. It looks like the amount of weld surface excedes the material thickness by 200% .... its more than good.
if you would have made it all thin like that it would have been 100... he probably just marked it because you varied from one spot to the other. It looks like the amount of weld surface excedes the material thickness by 200% .... its more than good. TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 374
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I mostly agree with pwrtrip75, except that I could see if you got marked off for varying your penetration, but that's still awfully fussy to call on someone just getting started.
My $.02 from what I'm seeing in the pictures is that in a perfect world all of your weld would look like the spot marked. You have full penetration there, but didn't put any more heat into the weld then you needed to get that full penetration. No big deal for mild steel but it could make a difference for some aluminum, stainless and some alloys that could get brittle and even damaged with excessive heat input.
My $.02 from what I'm seeing in the pictures is that in a perfect world all of your weld would look like the spot marked. You have full penetration there, but didn't put any more heat into the weld then you needed to get that full penetration. No big deal for mild steel but it could make a difference for some aluminum, stainless and some alloys that could get brittle and even damaged with excessive heat input.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Las Vegas, NV
In 2 weeks we are starting on stainless steel. After that I finally get to start on aluminum.
Silverback, what do you mean brittle? Aluminum and stainless would require less penetration or more?
Silverback, what do you mean brittle? Aluminum and stainless would require less penetration or more?
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Webb City, MO...out in the garage
penetration is penetration. period. it's either there or it isn't.
aluminum and SS don't require any different amounts necessarily, but you have to be more in control of your heat input. Keep in mind, heat input is a function of travel speed too, not just volts/amps. stainless is a little less forgiving than mild steel, and alumuinum is even less forgiving. for example, say you're welding 1/8" steel plate together, you might set your TIG to 160 amps (for example) and hit the pedal wide open and go. With aluminum, you'll be better off setting it upwards of 200 amps and you'll be feathering the pedal the whole way. you'll learn this in your class quite quickly i'm sure.
aluminum and SS don't require any different amounts necessarily, but you have to be more in control of your heat input. Keep in mind, heat input is a function of travel speed too, not just volts/amps. stainless is a little less forgiving than mild steel, and alumuinum is even less forgiving. for example, say you're welding 1/8" steel plate together, you might set your TIG to 160 amps (for example) and hit the pedal wide open and go. With aluminum, you'll be better off setting it upwards of 200 amps and you'll be feathering the pedal the whole way. you'll learn this in your class quite quickly i'm sure.
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Webb City, MO...out in the garage
that's basically all there is to it. but the way aluminum dissipates heat is much different that ferrous metals. i'm not trying to scare you, it isn't that hard, it's just different. i love welding aluminum, but i don't get to do it that often any more 
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 85
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From: Las Vegas, NV
That looks pretty good for starting, tig is awesome because you can get damn near perfect welds everytime. Once you get better at it the bead will be perfect all the way down and penetration will be better on that backside. I hate taking my car into an exhaust shop or stuff where i see other peoples welds cause honestly most will suffice but look like ****.
Lookin good man. Keep it up. Im pretty much just starting out myself, graduating last semester. All I do is practice every chance I get. Keep us updated on your progress.
Those look good! Im I-CAR certified in MIG but TIG is another ball game. I work with a guy who was a fabricator for a porsche club racing team and can only dream to TIG as well as he can one day.