beginner TIG items

bbaley · Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:12 pm

Hi,
I have been hobby MIG (also stick, flux core) welding for a bit now (three-four years) and do a ....hmmm. decent job for what I do/need

I have an Everlast 211MP - and have yet to attempt any TIG welding, but want to get started.

I do not have any tungsten, just a few random parts such as a #5 and #6 chinesium cup and TIG torch sent with the unit.
Can anyone recommend a starter kit for me for components ?

I have been watching Jody's videos long time and know weldmonger.com has some items - but I am honestly a complete rube and new guy to TIG so not sure where to start without wasting a bunch of $$$

DC only. steel.
your thoughts appreciated.
I literally have the CR@P that came with the Everlast unit and that's a torch and two cups that look like they'll disintegrate if I touch them.

bap_ · Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:59 pm

Get a 10 pack of 3/32 2% lanthenated or e3, and only sharpen 1 side if you want to be able to identify them later down the road. If you are starting don't worry too much about the mfg, the local LWS supply is fine. ($20-30). They will last you a very long time if you aren't welding everyday.

Get some decent tig gloves. ($15-30)

Ditch the chinese consumables. Depends if you want a gas lens to start or regular style collets, but Jody has a stubby gas lens kit that is not a half bad deal. You can get the same parts at other online sources as well, but more in bulk. The kit has all the insulators and everything you'll need. Just make sure to get the correct type. CK Series 3 for 17,26 and CK series 2 for 9,20 torches. You could just source only 3/32 since its all you really need right now. (10 pk ck #8 cups - $10, 2 3/32 ck gas lens $10, 2ck wedge collets 2/32, gas lens insulator ($5), assume you already have a long backcap.

1 llb of 1/16 ER70S-2 or ER70S-6 (-2 is easier to find) ($10)

125 CFH or bigger 100% ARGON cylinder ($200+ to own), argon regulator/flow meter.

Once you got a torch setup, gas, filler, and some gloves and a hood. You're good to go. Use a bench grinder sharpen to a fine point. Hopefully your machine has remote control otherwise you will have to snap out and loose shielding use some copper to exit on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPi1eTqs8Q&t=398s

bbaley · Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:09 pm

Hi bap,
thanks so much for the info.

I do have a 125CFG 100% Argon cylinder filled.

I do have a long backcap

I think the TIG-style gloves I have are Tillman - so maybe those are kind of low quality, however they fit well and I can fell things well when wearing them

I have an Argon flowmeter - guessing its a pretty cheap one as it came with the MP unit package.

my other regulator (that I normally use for MIG setup) appears to be a CO2/Argon model as it has indicator markings for both (and even shows a MIG and TIG range) - but I guess I should just use the flow meter for Argon (so I can get LPM and CFPH) and do not need the regulator in-line right ?

bap_ · Thu Apr 18, 2019 3:13 am

I don't personally have Tillman but I know a lot of people like them, I wouldn't call them low quality. What I meant was don't use stick welding gloves haha!

As far as equipment you already have: Go ahead and try it. If it works great! If not you'll figure out what you might want to upgrade as you go along.

I am not an expert in flowmeters at all, so keep my info with a grain of salt. You alwaysneed a regulator to attach the the bottle to regulate the flow out of the bottle, the flowmeter will just control the flow from the reg to the machine/torch. What you have is probably correct. If there are markings for both then you can likely use it, as you just don't want to run argon through a co2 reg. (someone can correct me here.) If you attach some pictures that might help.