Arc -> tig

[jckm2000]

Hi folks,
I'm a newb in here but have been welding with a small gasless MIG for some time.

Last year I moved onto a boat and had to get shot of the old MIG, due to space. It was on it's last legs anyway. I bought a small DC inverter ARC welder as I envisaged some stainless welding would be needed at some point. Not having used an ARC welder before I have to admit that my efforts were less than satisfactory. My main problem though is that much of the work I'd like to do is with thin (1-2mm) wall tube. I'm blowing holes and the welds are not looking great, plus I'm not able to hold the electrode too still when it's new. I'm using 316l 1.6mm electrodes.

I've been thinking about going for a small TIG machine to do the finer work. And then I read this in the ARC welding guides re DC inverters:

"Most can be used for scratch start TIG. More expensive ones tend to have HF (high frequency) start functions for TIG welding."

Does that mean that my welder could be converted to TIG? Would it be possible to buy a TIG handset, regulator and argon bottle and rig it to the ARC welder?

Sorry if I sound daft!

Cheers,

Jon

 

[shenion]

You mean something like this?

Should be all you need other than a bottle of argon gas.

 

[jckm2000]

Yep that looks just the ticket, 'cept I' want a regulator that would take the disposable bottles.......

Thanks,

Jon

 

[shenion]

With disposables, you will be replacing them every 10 minutes of welding. Less as you would be turning the gas on before star6ting the arc and off several seconds after.

That comes out to about £1/minute of use.

 

[jckm2000]

Hi Shenion,
Thanks for your reply. My problem is that I'm currently living onboard in Tunisia and in spring will be in Sicily then Greece. Keeping up with a contract with the likes of BOC is not going to be practical. Also I don't know where I'll be able to keep a larger bottle......

An adapter allowing me to use both would be a good idea perhaps.....

Cheers,

Jon .

 

[shenion]

I'd suggest getting a small gas lens setup. They work better with low gas flows.

 

[Drains]

Jon, I'm not saying it's easy, but you should be able to weld 1-2mm stainless or mild steel with practice. There are (at least) four things you need to do -

1) Use electrode negative - this gives shallower penetration and a wider weld and most importantly less heat into the job.
2) Practice holding a stable arc with the lowest current setting you can make work.
3) Keep the arc as tight as possible - the wider the gap, the higher the voltage, so the more power, and heat!
4) Use your free hand to steady the electrode - you can rest the hand on the job and use a finger as a rest for the electrode, directing it steadily along the weld. A bit more practice though and you won't need to do that so much.

and while I'm thinking about it

5) Keep your joints as gap-free as you can - really tight and well fitted.

Getting a small gas set-up for tig won't be a bad thing, but a bit of a PITA in your situation.

 

[jckm2000]

Thanks everyone for their help. I shall persevere with the ARC but will probably also go for the kit, can't hurt................

Cheers,

Jon