Thanks for the reply's. I don't have a specific project yet for the tig box. Heck the box is a project in and of its self. I got one of the ti practice kits to play with and will use the tig box for that first. I can't fill the box with pennies, I need all my pennies to get the materials for the box...

Can get 5lb of copper shot on the bay for $40.00

Ok so copper is less likely to stick to the weld. I am thinking of building the box and looking for the media to put in the box.

Awhile back Jody posted the video on the concept of a small tig box using BB's to act as ground and argon dispersion. Was there ever any follow up on the concept. Also would stainless steel shot work instead of BB's?

Well I have cooked the torch head on my tig welder. I have the Alpha tig 200X and have run it too hot for too long and the rubber around the body has deteriorated. I have found several on ebay that look the same other than the gas vavle. http://www.ebay.com/itm/WeldingCity-Air-Cooled-Head-Body-17FV-...

I actually have the machinery hand book on my computer,, time to start studying.

Is there a quick guide to the welding characteristics of different steels? Or what steels are readily weldable?

HI Oscar, I did look at your post and did not find 4943 on ebay and do not know witch bakers you are referring to. Could you post a link. Thanks.

At some point I too would like to try 4093 but the only stuff I found was a 10# lot. That would last me a very long time and would be and expensive experiment at $85.00.

I got some 5356 filler rod to try today and it is much better. Flows a lot better too. Thanks for the reply's.

I called AHP today and asked about the popping on A/C welding and found out that this machine will only go down to 20amps min. Welding this thin aluminum tubing is right at the min amps when I start, I had my son watch the amp readout and am fluctuating between 25 and 30 amps when in the bead. So th...

Will try and get a pic tomorrow of tungsten, it is an .040" 2% lanthenated running at 25-30 amps. on .035" 6061 t6 aluminum tubing. I get the same popping with a 3/32 tungsten too. My welds are not pretty so don't laugh at them.

Here is a video, can't see much but you can hear what I'm talking about.

The upper bead, started run with no filler rod and then started again with recently purchased 4043 1/16 rod.

It is with the arc. Not in the machine. What does an unstable arc sound like?

I have and alpha tig 200x and when I am welding in AC mode, I get some popping. Does not seem to matter if using hi a/c hz or in pules mode. Welding thin aluminum, .035".

Where do you get your filler rod. The rod I have seems to leave very small spots or bubbles in the weld.

I have been practicing on a 4' tube of 1.25 x .035" wall thickness aluminum that I sectioned up in the lathe. The hard part for me is getting the first tac on the seam. They are not the prettiest welds but functional. Also getting practice filling in holes, :roll:. I ordered some smaller tungst...

The hording is even worse than you think. I have a mill and lathe too

Well I finally got my AHP Alphatig 200x. Only played with it a couple of nights now but it is doing good. I want to get a stubby gas lens kit but see prices all over the board. Is there a difference between manufactures? This is for the wp-17 torch that came with the machine. Thanks.

I am restoring a Lotus Europa and have water tubes and pedals to build. Then what ever comes my way. First I have to relearn how to weld. I had a miller dial arc hf 250 twenty years ago. Hopefully it comes back to me fast.

Well I went and did it. I ordered a tig welder from AHP. The new 2016 with improved pules Hz. Won't be here for a month, that gives me time to wire up a receptacle and make room in my shed for it. I already got an inexpensive Jackson safety helmet, big bottle of argon and tungsten's. Now have to get...

HI, my name is Rod Williams. I am currently in the process of getting back into Tig welding. I have not had a machine in twenty years but now have some projects coming up and have a great excuse to get back into it. I will be doing lots of reading very soon. I am an automotive technician at a dealer...