Ok, i'm no pro at welding, but im also no dumbass... i know most of my **** about the equipment, technique, etc.. but i got to thinking the other day, if i buy a TIG, how will i tack my stuff up?

I know with mig you just tack it and then you can weld around it, but with tig, you need both hands so its a little different.

My question is "is it possible to tack with a TIG welder? how?" I mean, how would you hold the pieces together, start the arc, and feed the rod? or can you tack without filler? if so, then it makes sense.

-alan

 

If the material is butted up against each other or its at least very close there is a technique to tack without filler. You basically just hit the heat hard and quick...versus rolling into it. If you go too slow alot of times unless it is absolutely butted it will melt away, but if you go quickly it'll tack quite nicely.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RC000E &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If the material is butted up against each other or its at least very close there is a technique to tack without filler. You basically just hit the heat hard and quick...versus rolling into it. If you go too slow alot of times unless it is absolutely butted it will melt away, but if you go quickly it'll tack quite nicely.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said...hammer tack! Or get your friend to hold it while you tack.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Or get your friend to hold it while you tack.</TD></TR></TABLE>

HAHAHAHA I found this very funny for some reason.

 

There are also alot of affordable clamps etc. to help on the fine stuff when dealing with more precise angles etc.
You can also fab custom fixtures for projects as you go.

 

magnets are good and chain vise grips and a few pieces of angle iron

 

mmm.... somone need to "invent" a nice tool that attached to the pipes easly and hold them together tight....

 

Just be careful when using magnets around a tig, the arc will sometimes like to wonder towards the magnet.

 

also, if you want to fuse your parts and your fitup isn't 100% you can use gravity to help pull the puddle across a gap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just be careful when using magnets around a tig, the arc will sometimes like to wonder towards the magnet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Boy the first few times that happened to me I got FIRED up...lol. It jacked up the spot I was welding slightly...I was mad as hell. I had never heard anything about it, so I basically just had it happen one day.

Definitely have to be aware of it..that magnet will suck the arc right in that direction.