just getting started

[dgarnier]

ordered pt250ex to rework my bowfishing rig lots of .125 aluminum.. I am ok with a MIG, but TIG is new to me. Watched Jody videos and start off with 11 gauage aluminum looks like the way to go. Then I read over here that I should start out with mild steel. Which should I start with?

Then I was going to order some filler rod and parts. Does the filler rod have to match the tungsten size?

How do you pick the right size tungsten and filler rod?

[Shield Arc]

I select the tungsten dia. For the amount of amps I'm using. Anymore I just use Ceriated, (orange) for all my Tig welding, (with inverter).
I select the filler size for the size of weld I want to make. Tungsten size has a lot to do with how big the weld will be also.

[aaxiss]

ok being that I haven't Tig welded in 20 years due to being paralyzed in an accident I don't think I can really give you much help other than pointing you in the direction of some good literature and hope it helps and I don't get in Trouble for pointing to to another mfg website. I got hit by an uninsured unlicensed driver in my power wheelchair some time back and a new frame would cost $1500 dollars. Well I just decided to buy a Tig welder and fix the frame myself then at least I have something I will be able to use in the future rather than to just pay for $20 in material and $1480 for someone's welds ( probably a robot ) LOL

anyway here is a link to Millers site and their pdf Tig welding handbooks great info on everything TIG
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/TIGhandbook/

hope this helps you, have fun reading LOL

[worntorn]

ordered pt250ex to rework my bowfishing rig lots of .125 aluminum.. I am ok with a MIG, but TIG is new to me. Watched Jody videos and start off with 11 gauage aluminum looks like the way to go. Then I read over here that I should start out with mild steel. Which should I start with?

Then I was going to order some filler rod and parts. Does the filler rod have to match the tungsten size?

How do you pick the right size tungsten and filler rod?

I would definitely start with steel and stay on it until you are real comfortable with tig welding, then go to al..
To start, get three 6" square pieces (coupons) of 1/4" mild steel and run beads on them until they look good. Let one cool, weld the next and so on. Scribe lines on the coupons 1/2" inch apart and try to follow the lines with your weldbeads. When all the lines are filled up go back and put nice straight beads in between.