| Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welder works by a | | | | to touch the metal with the electrode. Any |
| process that uses a tungsten electrode to | | | | contact might as well produce a crater and |
| produce a weld and hence the name. A TIG | | | | weaken the weld point. When the arc is struck, a |
| welder creates an arc between the metal to be | | | | welder will move the metal in a circular motion as |
| joined and the tungsten electrode. The arc | | | | it is fed forward, in order to produce the weld. A |
| creates the weld and protected from the | | | | true blessing for the operator is TIG welds can be |
| elements by gas being fed to the arc. A TIG weld | | | | made in all positions - flat, horizontal, vertical or |
| produces enormous heat and electricity, and the | | | | even overhead. |
| welder must compulsively wear a safety shield | | | | Another redeeming feature is TIG welding does |
| particularly to protect the eyes. | | | | not create smoke or fumes, except in rare cases |
| Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding uses a wire, which | | | | where the base metal being welded contains |
| dissolves upon the completion of the weld. But | | | | contaminants such as, oil, grease, paint, lead or |
| TIG welding uses tungsten electrodes that do not | | | | zinc. The base metal should be therefore be |
| burn off or dissolve during the welding process. | | | | thoroughly cleaned before TIG welding. Because |
| TIG welding is used with thin layers of stainless | | | | only the necessary amount of filler metal is added |
| steel, aluminum, copper and magnesium alloys. | | | | to the welding puddle, TIG weld does not cause |
| TIG welding is quite a complex process and | | | | spatter or produce any spark. |
| demands the use of both the hands during the | | | | The operator needs tremendous practice to gain |
| welding process. The welder must maintain a | | | | proficiency in TIG welding. Many beginners |
| short arc in order for the weld to be effective. | | | | generally practice TIG welding on waste scrap or |
| The ultraviolet light created by the arc could be | | | | discarded pieces to develop mastery. |
| harmful and the operator must wear protective | | | | TIG welders can be used to weld steel, stainless |
| clothing and gloves, to cover exposed skin. TIG | | | | steel, aluminum, nickel alloys, magnesium, copper, |
| welding, if done unguardedly, can seriously affect | | | | brass, bronze, and even gold. TIG welding has |
| your vision and TIG can also burn your hands. | | | | many applications and widely used for welding |
| You must use thick leather welding gloves, and a | | | | wagons, bike frames, lawn mowers, door handles, |
| welding helmet, and closed-toe shoes. To avoid | | | | fenders, and a host of other items. For doing TIG |
| sunburn, wear a long-sleeved shirt, or still | | | | welding on aluminum, it is recommended to use |
| preferably a welding coat. But the rewards of TIG | | | | pure argon. For steel, you can use an argon |
| welding are high as TIG weld produces high | | | | carbon dioxide mixture. The gas that is used is |
| quality, clean welds. | | | | important to keep the weld from becoming |
| While doing TIG welding you must be careful not | | | | corroded, as metal will rust. |