Tig welding - what else do I need ?

[Matt_M]

Howdy

I want to start playing around with tig welding and am wondering what else I need to get.
I've got a cigweld 170 inverter welder and a tub full of bits that I bought of ebay.
I've also got a tank of speed shield for the mig but am pretty sure this is no good for tig ? Need argon ?

Anyway. Have a squizz at the pics and let me know what you see. Also what is the gadget with the dial on it ?

Cheers

Matt


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[Michael G]

Also what is the gadget with the dial on it ?

That would probably be a remote device to allow you to vary current on the run. Not so important if you are doing steel.

Michael

[Gavin Newman]

Yes, you will need pure argon, not the speed shield, gas.
The thing with the dial could also be a back-purge hose, is the black lead it's on an electrical cable or a hose?

[jhovel]

You are missing a regulator and a flow meter for the gas.

[Com_VC]

You are missing a regulator and a flow meter for the gas.

He has a mig so he has that covered.

[Ashore]

An auto face shield that is adjustable to TIG settings
Tungesten tips suitable for what you wish to weld suggest you go to a Cig store and talk to the staff, take your pics
Gloves and good piece of copper plate to weld on

[Stringy]

and good piece of copper plate to weld on

Please explain what the copper plate is for, heat sink, cleaning tungsten or balling tungsten. Yep this is a loaded question.

[Gavin Newman]

Please explain what the copper plate is for, heat sink, cleaning tungsten or balling tungsten. Yep this is a loaded question.

No idea why Ashore suggested a copper plate but, for mine, I have a 2' x 1' sheet of 1/4" copper plate fixed to a heavy steel frame that I use when welding small stuff. The return lead is clamped to the plate and stuff to be welded just needs to sit on the plate for good electrical contact - it's a lot easier than trying to clamp the lead to the small parts. Mind you I set that up over 30 years ago when copper was considerably cheaper, I haven't priced copper sheet for some time!

I don't use it as much these days as I now have a Stronghand table but it is still very useful when working off-site and gets used a lot in those circumstances.

[Matt_M]

Awesome. Thanks guys. Will head to the store this week. I'll price some copper plate too.
I have a regulator for my mig so that's all good

Cheers


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[Legion]

You're probably going to need a ground lead/clamp too.

[gazza2009au]

i have the same tig torch as in your pic (middle) scratch tig welding is a whole new ball game over HF tig welding where u push the trigger and the arc starts, i found with my tig when i initiate the arc by scratching well i dont get far the initial contact sticks the electrode to the piece so i found holding the torch in my welding hand and using my other hand to help lift the torch once initial contact is made

i hold my torch in my left hand than i hold the filler rod with my right thumb and first finger, i use my second third and fourth fingers to help lift the torch off the work piece just enough to keep the arc than i weld away

tig welding is very addictive its my choice of welding