| OK so you want to learn how to Tig weld. I like | | | | very light, and that is great because most places |
| this welding process the most out of all the | | | | are very hot inside. |
| welding processes. To give you some of the | | | | I would say 90% of Tig welding is done at a table |
| reasons why I like it the most is one it gives a | | | | where you get to sit and weld, that's another |
| very clean and neat weld. It is used most on | | | | great thing about Tig welding. Now you will hold |
| things where the weld will be seen, so it is critical | | | | your torch in the hand that you want and put |
| that the weld be very clean and nice looking. It | | | | your foot on a pedal on the floor that will control |
| does take some practice to master but it is well | | | | the heat. When you push on the pedal it will get |
| worth the time you put in. Not to leave out also, | | | | hot and when you let up it will cool. To get an arc |
| it is the highest paying process except | | | | you will have to put your torch about one eighth |
| underwater welding. In most places you can get a | | | | inch from the table and then push the pedal. Now |
| job starting out making around $14 to $17 per | | | | welding aluminum you need to set the welder on |
| hour, just starting out, but remember your welds | | | | AC, and for the rest in most cases will be on DC. |
| must be of high quality. | | | | Alternating current and direct current. Check to |
| Here are some of the basics of Tig welding. First | | | | make sure you have the machine set right before |
| you must have all the safety equipment and the | | | | starting, you want a nice weld not big holes. |
| most important one is your welding helmet. I | | | | Hold the torch at 70 or 80 degrees and hold the |
| would get a shade 11 or darker because the light | | | | rod at 15 degrees. Practice with the pedal and |
| is very bright and can harm your eyes if not | | | | make sure your torch is one eighth inch from |
| protected with the right shade. Next you will need | | | | work piece. Push pedal until you see a puddle, it |
| Tig welding gloves, these are thin leather gloves, | | | | should be one quarter inch round, at that moment |
| don't get thick gloves because you will need to | | | | when puddle forms add a dab of your filler rod to |
| able to pick up your rods and torch. Caution and | | | | the puddle and pull it out and then pull up on the |
| really with aluminum, do not touch after welding, it | | | | pedal to freeze the metal and then repeat to |
| does not show the heat on the work piece and | | | | form a row of weld that looks like a row of coins |
| you might forget that it is hot and you will burn | | | | spread out in a nice even fashion. This is a good |
| your gloves and your hand. I once burned off my | | | | way to practice with your heat and adding rod. |
| finger prints after picking up a part after welding, | | | | There are other ways but when you first start |
| where was my head that day? You will need a | | | | this is the best. |
| good welding coat, the ones used for Tig are | | | | |