TIG welding gives you more versatility and flexibility compared to other welding processes. Because of that added complexity, welders need a lot of extra practice to ensure they are proficient with their equipment.
There is no better piece of advice than this: if you want to be a great TIG welder, then you must develop high levels of patience.
If you don’t become excited when you grab your welding torch, then this type of welding may not be right for you.
With TIG welding there are several tips and tricks which you can use to control the weld puddle, have a consistent arc, and produce great welds every single time. Here are the simple techniques that will make your life much easier.
1. Weld using the minimum power.
When you begin to practice with your TIG welder, always use the minimum power setting that gives you a puddle that you can sustain. It is important to remember that TIG welding is based on penetration. If you get too much, you’re going to burn right through. Your power levels are just as important as your welding techniques here.[1]
2. Keep your metals clean.
TIG welding requires clean metal to be effective. There is no other way to create a strong arc and a solid weld. For stainless and aluminum, you should have a dedicated brush available for each metal type. A few extra minutes of cleaning will always provide you with a better outcome when using this process.
3. Use the correct tungsten.
As you work on different surfaces with your TIG welder, you’ll discover that you may need different tungsten. If you’re working with aluminum, for example, then you’ll likely be using a green tungsten. Steel is associated with red tungsten. As you get to know your equipment, you’ll find that it performs well with different tungsten in unique conditions as well. Don’t be afraid to experiment as you practice, getting to know what your welder can or cannot do.
4. Tungsten thickness must be considered.
The thickness of your tungsten matters. If it ends up being too large, then you’ll require more heat in the startup process as you strike your arc. When the tungsten is too small, then you run a greater risk of overheating it, which also causes damage.
5. Know when to regrind your tip.
Should the tip of your tungsten touch the weld puddle, you will be forced to regrind it. The tungsten develops a ball over time that will cause the arc to wander on you, which reduces the quality of the weld that you’re able to achieve. Accidents happen, so to save time, you may wish to have several tungsten ready in case you encounter balling while working.
6. Stay consistent with your welding process.
TIG welding requires you to maintain your focus from start to finish. Eliminate any distractions from your welding environment which may interrupt your attention. It’s a good idea to stock some extra filler rods where you can reach them so you can keep on working.
7. Wear the proper safety equipment when grinding.
Some beginners don’t realize this, but the tungsten electrodes are slightly radioactive. When you’re grinding them to create a tip, it is imperative that you wear a respirator which is designed to protect the air passageways. Make sure that you keep the dust in your grinding area to a minimum whenever possible. You should make sure that there is decent ventilation available in your shop as well.
8. Be consistent with your electrode grinding.
When you grind the tungsten, the best practice is to do so lengthwise. You’re wanting to create an even result whenever possible. Most TIG welders will use a tungsten sharpener, but if you’re just getting started, a bench grinder will get the job done. You cannot use an all-purpose grinder for this work, however, as that will contaminate your electrodes.
9. Get to know your shielding gases.
100% argon is the most common shielding gas that is used for TIG welding. A 75/25 combination of argon and helium is also popular. As you increase the helium in the shielding gas, you’ll find that the temperatures will begin to drop. That can result in problems with striking the arc. If you use 100% helium, it becomes very difficult to start welding. Set your shielding gas at 15 to 20 cubic feet per hour when you first start learning how to weld. Higher settings can blow out your weld.
10. Use bigger rods whenever possible.
The logic here is pretty simple: if you have a larger rod, then it is easier to feed. Standard rods with TIG welding equipment are usually 3/32 or below in diameter. Go with a 1/8-inch diameter rod whenever possible to facilitate the learning process.
11. Your rod angle and torch angle are not the same.
If you keep the torch and rod at the same angle while working with your TIG welding equipment, then you’ll make the heat “bounce” as you work. That process will cause the rod to melt before you want that to happen, which creates an inferior bead. You should always be feeding the rod into the welding pool.
12. Slowly reduce your arc instead of ending it suddenly.
When you’re welding at temperature, keep the foot pedal (or other temperature control mechanism) about 3/4 of the way down. That will give you the ability to let the arc trail off when you reach the end of your weld. If you shut down the arc suddenly, it will increase the risk of cracking.
13. MIG and TIG are sometimes interchangeable.
You can sometimes use wire from MIG welding to create TIG welds. Although some stores and welders might say otherwise, there’s a good chance that some of your welding equipment is interchangeable. That is especially true for welders who own 3-in-1 or 5-in-1 welding machines. When you’re first beginning to learn how to weld, choosing from the best tig welder models isn’t enough — maximizing the use of your equipment will always be to your advantage.
14. Give yourself protection from shocking.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the threat of a shocking hazard at your welding table is to place something non-conductive on it. Gloves are a common way to prevent a shock to your arms. Wood products are another option to consider. Keep in mind that your sweat will conduct the electricity even more, which means greater care must be taken. Try to rest the hand which holds the torch on a steady object to get better results.
15. Thin gloves often work better when TIG welding.
If you wear thin gloves on the hand which feeds the rod, then you’ll improve the feel you have with this process. When your gloves feel bulky, or they prevent you from having maximum control over the process, then the quality of your work will suffer. It helps to learn how to feed the rods using the same fingers that you would use to hold a pen or a pencil.
16. Have filler metal charts available.
When you have these charts available in your shop, it will be easier to select the correct rods that you require for the materials you’re working with that day.
17. Raising your welding current will create faster welding speeds.
You will find that working with aluminum can require a lot of heat. That sometimes means you must raise the welding current. Hotter machines create faster travel speeds, which reduces distortion and burn-through when you get it right. If you go too fast, however, some metals may produce an ineffective bead.
TIG welding does take some time to learn. It can be a frustrating process some days. When you keep the tricks and tips like these in mind, however, you will find that it can also be a lot of fun.
