Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi Guys,
I'm a newbie here, I'm not sure how I came across Jodie's tips and tricks video's but I'm glad I did, he makes it looks easy. I started welding about 30 years ago, my first machine was a millermatic 130, then a millermatic 180 and finally a millermatic 250. One day i was at my local welding shop and they were demoing a Syncrowave 250 to a customer that did a lot of the welding for the local airport. I didn't know this at the time and had never seen someone Tig weld before, so when I walked into the backroom and this guy was welding on a piece of stainless. I was amazed at the fact there were no sparks, smoke or noise that I was used when Mig welding. I was hooked! I saved up and bought a Sync 250 I was so exited I couldn't wait to wire it up and get started. Well, this guy that I had seen do the demo was kind of like Jodie, he made it look so easy. I had a very rude awaking when attempting to run my first bead. LOL I got really good at cleaning tungsten. Lucky for me I had a couple of buddies that had gone to Ferris State and enrolled in their welding program so they were more than happy to get me started in the right direction. Unfortunately late last Sept. I found out I had a brain tumor and they were able to remove 90% of the tumor, but ever since my hands are not as steady as they were before the surgery, so the last couple of weeks I have been practicing trying to get my mojo back. Great forum ya got here

Pete

Welcome.

I am still pretty good at cleaning tungsten myself, maybe even getting better.
That skill is going opposite the others as I get older.

Hope your hands steady up, but even with a little shake, its all good.

pgk

welcome to the forum.
maybe try propping with your other hand and run some
beads on a flat surface with filler.
maybe this will help retrain your muscle
memory.
glad you made out ok from the surgery
craig

A little shake adds character to the weld. I've been at this for a very long time and still grind tungsten a lot, so join the club. Gerald's right about the age thing, at least for me, dipping more than ever. A TigFinger is very useful in that regard, if you don't have one, you should.

Len

Pete,

I've suffered three concussions, one resulting in a skull fracture. I shake like a dog shitting needles. I suffer petit-mal seizures.

I'm also ASME certified (and current) in piping and vessel.

The only limits are the ones we permit for ourselves.

You won't see my welds on "weldporn", but weldporn doesnt' show x-rays.

Steve S

Welcome to the forum Pete.

Hey thanks guys for the hints and warm welcome. I'll keep practicing, now days I'm just glad to be back vertical again. lol


Pete

pete
keep active with posts so we know how
your are doing.
craig

Thanks Craig,
Will do

Pete

motox wrote:pete
keep active with posts so we know how
your are doing.
craig