If your welder has a high frequency setting, it will also need adjusting. For aluminum, the switch will need to be on continuous high frequency. For steel, it should be on high frequency start.
Use the face of a fine stone to grind the tungsten electrode. Grind so that the electrode is pointing in the same direction as the rotation of the stone as a safety precaution. Grind the tungsten to a balled tip for AC welding and a pointed tip for DC welding. To make a butt weld or open corner weld ground the tungsten to a five to six millimeter stick. [1] X Research source
Shift the valve body by quickly opening and closing the valve to clean any debris out of the threaded valve body. Screw the regulator on, then screw the nut tight while simultaneously twisting the regulator until it is seated in the valve. Tighten the regulator using a spanner, making sure that the pressure knob is backed off counter-clockwise. Put on the gas hose and flowmeter, then turn on the cylinder valve. Make sure to turn on the cylinder valve gently and in small increments. Usually a quarter-turn revolution is enough. Finally, check for any leaks by listening for a wheezing sound or using an aerosol leak detector spray. Set the gas flow rate by adjusting the cylinder regulator. Though the rate may vary depending on your project, usually the rate stays between four and 12 liters (3. 2 US gal) per minute.
The thicker the metal, the higher the amperage. The more coordinated you get with the foot pedal, the higher you can leave the amperage. Some conventional current ratios are: 1. 6mm, 30 to 120 amps; 2. 4mm, 80 to 240 amps; 3. 2mm, 200 to 380 amps. [2] X Research source
To prepare carbon steel, use a grinder or sander and polish it down to a bare, shiny metal. For aluminum, it is best to use a dedicated stainless steel wire brush. For stainless steel, just wipe down the weld area with some solvent on a rag. Make sure to store the rag and chemicals in a safe place before welding.
Don’t let the tungsten touch the work piece or it will contaminate your material.
Once there is a puddle on both pieces of metal, tap the filler rod into the molten puddle in quick dabs to avoid clumping. The filler rod adds a reinforcement layer for your weld.
Think of your hand motion as that of a left-handed person operating a pencil. While a right-handed person moves their pencil like a MIG weld, with the angles both tilted to the right, a left-handed person has their pencil tilted to the left, though they must push the pencil to the right. Continue to advance the puddle until you have welded the entire area desired and you’ve completed a TIG weld!
