So, I've been trying to master TIG welding. Thought it would be a walk in the park, and thus far it hasn't been too bad.

I was reading up on the subject and realized most sites are talking about pushing the puddle along the seam and adding filler to the leading edge of the puddle.


I've been pulling the puddle along the seam, and adding the filler to the rear of the puddle (with a bit of difficulty).

I'm an idiot aren't I?

 

Defenitely add filler to the leading edge of the puddle. By adding it to the trailing edge, two things have already happened by the time you add filler. One, the heat has lowered because your torch is already focused on a different piece of the base metal. Secondly, the shielding gas has somewhat disapated, making contamination a bigger factor in the end weld.
So...add tot he leading edge, and keep practicing!
GOOD LUCK!
Kyle

 

More importantly though, I should be pushing the puddle along the weld?

 

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I'm an idiot aren't I?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, kinda.

 

On the up side, I managed to weld some pretty slick looking beads in the wrong direction

 

basically if youre right handed. torch in right, filler in left, move left.

im left handed so its opposite.

-derek

 

i am ambidextrous! yay for me!

 

Whenever I'm welding something I try to start away and bring it to me.When you weld towards yourself you can see what your GOING to weld not what you have ALREADY welded.

 

i might try it that way for kicks and giggles today, something i have never tried yet.

 

i thought the ideal position would be perpendicular to your base metal for the best penetration and equal heat dissipation. angling the torch is so you can see what you're doing. i usually push the puddle, but when i'm doing pipe i try to stay closer to perpendicular to the radius of the pipe... whatever works for you, i know guys who swear by dragging the puddle.