Any advice/comments welcomed

[Jim Davey]

Machine manufacturers have to tempt people to choose their set over another. So is it any suprise they cram as many features as they can into a set to justify the cost?
As far as I'm concerned I can live without 70% of the gizmos on most kit, but how do you sell a top line item that has less bells and whistles than an SIP?

 

[Chris Stevens]

I agree 100% that no 2 users are the same, but if something works for someone and it has made them a great deal of money over the years, is there any reason to change?

 

[Jim Davey]

Progress Chris, operators expect more. Even if they can't use the features or even understand them.
If I get asked "does it have modified AC wave?" My reply is "Do you know what it does?"
"No but Miller has it so it must be good right?"
I had a guy in the shop to look at an EWM Tetrix this morning, lovely piece of kit, top 5 performer against any name you care to mention.
Before you make a decision I said. Try the GYS 208, we put down a run almost identical to the EWM.
Ok, it doesn't have numerous wave shapes or a stellar duty cycle, but it has pulse, balance and frequency adjustment and a good smooth arc. All you need to do a good job. It's not as sexy to look at, and it might not excell at some of the really tricky stuff a top level set lets you get away with doing but perfectly good for the task in hand.

 

[Richard.]

Hello again guys,

Not had any chance to play with the TIG again until today as ive been trying to finish other projects and build myself a new welding bench.

Managed to get 20mins between waiting to apply coats of paint to a BBQ so got her set up and had another go. Due to the time constraints i decided to keep it simple and take Richards advice of running some shorter beads and focusing on getting the pedal control and technique right rather than worrying about feeding the filler wire (still dont think ill ever get that right ). One thing im pleased about is that i managed to do all of this without dipping the tungsten in the work piece or making contact with the filler rod. That alone was a huge achievement for me at this early stage.

On the 1st test piece when i started the 12th bead i decided instead of resting my forearm on the bench that id rest my elbow on the arm of the chair and control the torch more rather than rely on the bench.....in my eyes it seems to have worked better which i wasnt expecting.

Anyway, overall for a 4th attempt at TIG i have a huge smile across my face and i welcome comments again. I included a picture of the tungsten after running all 3 test pieces in case it doesn't look right to you guys who know how it should look after running this ammount of beads......seems fine to me but then my knowledge is less than limited at the moment.

Plate 1 runs 9-14 look the neatest to me. A little on the cold and prominent side but by far the most consistent of the bunch. Nice amount of practice going on and good results all round. Look forward to seeing some joint attempts.

 

[K18 NOB]

Plate 1 runs 9-14 look the neatest to me. A little on the cold and prominent side but by far the most consistent of the bunch. Nice amount of practice going on and good results all round. Look forward to seeing some joint attempts.

I've just this second remembered that I turned the plates over and numbered the welds to show penetration but completely forgot to take pictures.

All were clearly visible but as I'm sure you've guessed already not all had fully penetrated.

I don't have much on tomorrow so should get a good amount of time in the chair :-)

 

[HughF]

Where in Dorset are you? I could give you some pointers if you wanted a 1-1... Although you appear to be getting along just fine.

 

[Brad93]

You know I'd like to see a big old nasty Magnesium gearbox casting welded on a transformer with minimal balance control and no frequency adjustment.

TIG aesthetics in my opinion is massively helped by making things easier for yourself, so if having adjustable balance and frequency does that, you can concentrate on getting them dabs in there not ******* about preping tungsten that keep balling up.

 

[HughF]

Annoyingly large balls you say??



Maximum cleaning!

 

[K18 NOB]

Where in Dorset are you? I could give you some pointers if you wanted a 1-1... Although you appear to be getting along just fine.

Not a million miles from you, I'm over in blandford forum.

I'd never turn down some 1--1, one of the best ways I learn is to take advice/pointers from a host of people and then see what works for me.

 

[HughF]

Offer is there if you think there's anything you want some direction with.

 

[K18 NOB]

Offer is there if you think there's anything you want some direction with.

Cheers Hugh, I'll get a bit more practice in then see what I'm particularly struggling with.

 

[Richard.]

Take it from me there is no better way of learning something or breaking bad habits than having experience over your shoulder.
I would snap Hugh's offer up if I was you as a couple hours with a second pair of eyes over your arc is gonna make all the difference and things will be spotted that you do and shouldn't do.

 

[HughF]

I'm a bit cack at fine stainless mind, I really need to go see Richard and get a half day back in the seat with someone watching over me, I always seem to cook it no matter what I do. Steel and alu is what comes through my door mostly so that's what I'm best at.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Progress Chris, operators expect more. Even if they can't use the features or even understand them.
If I get asked "does it have modified AC wave?" My reply is "Do you know what it does?"
"No but Miller has it so it must be good right?"
I had a guy in the shop to look at an EWM Tetrix this morning, lovely piece of kit, top 5 performer against any name you care to mention.
Before you make a decision I said. Try the GYS 208, we put down a run almost identical to the EWM.
Ok, it doesn't have numerous wave shapes or a stellar duty cycle, but it has pulse, balance and frequency adjustment and a good smooth arc. All you need to do a good job. It's not as sexy to look at, and it might not excell at some of the really tricky stuff a top level set lets you get away with doing but perfectly good for the task in hand.

Not sure if being much more susceptible to the promotion of generally unused and pointless features, to the extent that a user pays more money for the pointless bells and whistles is progress? You have shown this perfectly by suggesting the GYS at what I would guess is a lot less money, is comparable to something with more features and more expensive.

 

[Richard.]

You'd be welcome any time. Stainless is less tolerant with regard surface finish
Amperage, travel speed, gas flow, filler size and if required backside protection all need to be pretty good if to produce a sound and clean looking weld. What's more important though is how it's finished. Dull welds may not look great but ain't the end of the world if they are fused and penetrated properly because a little care with pickling and scotch brite will bring them back to life.

 

[Richard.]

Not sure if being much more susceptible to the promotion of generally unused and pointless features, to the extent that a user pays more money for the pointless bells and whistles is progress? You have shown this perfectly by suggesting the GYS at what I would guess is a lot less money, is comparable to something with more features and more expensive.

Start a new thread on your machine marketing views Chris pls . k18 seems like a decent new member interested in learning Tig welding, don't ruin it

 

[Jim Davey]

Not sure if being much more susceptible to the promotion of generally unused and pointless features, to the extent that a user pays more money for the pointless bells and whistles is progress? You have shown this perfectly by suggesting the GYS at what I would guess is a lot less money, is comparable to something with more features and more expensive.

Perfect for a guy who wants to weld for 20 mins at a time in his home workshop yes.
As a production tool in a busy shop, no. Duty cycle and component spec are worlds apart, it's all about putting the right machine with the right job.

 

[K18 NOB]

Ok so i had a good few hours in the chair today and im pleased to report i am still loving it

I started out doing a few more short beads just to get back into it. Then decided that as the fillet joints are apparently my nemesis id have a go at some lap joints. you can see my efforts from the pictures below. I did then have a go at fillets with a little more success than last time but damn its hard. Think i may need someone over my shoulder for those. then i pretty much just grabbed some Ally and had a bit of fun. Somehow as if by magic (without intentionally trying) I am getting a lot better at feeding the filler, Managed to run some long beads with ease.....im currently uploading a video to youtube which ill post...i don't have a welding filter on the camera but it does at least show torch angle etc so could be useful.

Yet again (apart from the fillet welds) i didnt dip the tungsten at all so i think my spacial awareness/co-ordination is getting a lot better. One thing i did pick up on myself was that i need better arc length discipline, every now and then i seem to lift slightly but its nothing too extreme and certainly controllable when i pay attention to it. You can see in one of the pictures my "bench" which is also a bit of a hindrance so i imagine once ive finished building my new one i should at least feel a little more relaxed and comfortable which will go a long way toward helping.

 

[K18 NOB]

 

[K18 NOB]

and of course the video link....