If you would please sign in here: http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5560 We welcome you to the support group. Coffee is in the corner, gas lenses are in the "Welcome" bag. :lol: Chris, I've signed in with the group, but I somehow get the idea from reading the o...

Hello, I'm Larry and I believe that I'm on the way to becoming a TIG partsaholic. I just bought my first TIG machine, which I've been told is a gateway act to parts addiction. The dilemma I'm facing is how to divide my meager disposable income between my new TIG addiction and my existing addiction t...

Taz,

If you can tell us, without having to kill us , what was the thickness of the Hastelloy when it was initially installed?

ldb

I didn't even have a TIG machine when I ordered my TIG Finger from Jody. I used it for MIG. Still do. Now that I have a TIG machine, I'll finally be using the TIG Finger for it's intended use. Wonder if I'll have to retrain it...

Geo, if you weld like you write, you are indeed a master. I know it's not fiction because I recognized the analogous progression to my gun collecting/reloading addiction. One advantage to being single is not having to answer silly questions like, "Why do you need four reloading presses and all ...

Thanks for the clarification, Oscar. I'd not heard of the 1/1/1/1 rating system before. Had to look it up. The Optrel looks like a heck of a good helmet. Guess I'll need to start saving for one.

rick9345 wrote:Tig = Addictive

Great! Just what I need. Another expensive addiction

ldb

Yeah, I was taking a short break at work, sitting at my desk drinking a cup of coffee and doing a bit of mental math about all the accessories I'm going to need for the new TIG habit. I was thinking filler rods, gloves, stubby gas lens kits, electrodes, argon, etc. -- didn't figure on a new auto-dar...

Thrifty people, you Alaskans, John. I think y'all got just about all the miles you could out of that old tractor rim. :D I didn't really read the preceding posts as "TIG bashing", but rather a distaste for process snobs of any ilk. I'll be learning how to TIG very shortly, so if I start tu...

Well, my new AHP AlphaTIG 200x was sitting on the porch when I got home last night. I don't have an indoor shop here at the house, so I took it to the shop in our building at work. Got it unpacked today and tomorrow I'll pick up a bottle of Argon and commence to proceed to begin to learn how to TIG ...

Thanks for the input and advice, guys. I appreciate it. I figure I'll just weld up the new coupler straight across, the way Bulldog makes it. Yeah, Len, I am replacing it due to a failure -- but it's only a failure of the OEM coupler to operate, either hooking up or unhooking without repeated blows ...

I think it was Steve S (Otto) a couple weeks ago who posted recommending against making welds that run straight across frame rails. I'm getting ready to remove the factory coupler on my 5' X 10' utility trailer and put on a Bulldog coupler. If I weld up the Bulldog the way it's made, the welds will ...

Jody, Just watched Part 2 of the He mix video. Brilliantly done. Seeing the etched joint along with the arc at the same time certainly helps to clarify things. Years ago, I taught myself how to stick and MIG weld. Now, I've ordered a TIG machine and I'll be learning how to TIG weld. But this time, I...

A Google search with the string "closed caption video software" yields a pile of possibilities, including free closed captioning software from WGBH, the PBS station in, I think, Boston.

ldb

There's definitely a dearth of folks with good conscience and a decent work ethic these days. We're remodeling the planetarium at work and it's pure hell trying to find contractors with pride in their work. It sucks having to ride herd on guys that have a 25 cent mind when you're working a million d...

Neat old videos. A lot of fun to watch and some good info. The quality of the arc shots was surprisingly good.

ldb

Check out these guys for laser engraving supplies. Get the tag blanks you want and then all you need to do is find somebody with a laser engraver to do the work. There's generally one or more in any town over 20 kilofolks.

http://www.laserbits.com/

Have fun,
ldb

Great tip, Steve. I hadn't thought of doing that. Thanks.

ldb

Hi drross, Welcome to our little asylum. There may be some alloys/fluxes that require special treatment and storage, but I leave the same roll of NR-211 on my 115 VAC Lincoln SP 135+ until it's used up. I've never noticed any difference in the welding characteristics of the wire over time. I'm in No...

A 30 amp breaker should be sufficient, that is what I wired my Miller 175 with using 12-2/G romex, at my auto shop my 211 runs on a 50 amp circuit along with my exhaust bender I haven't looked at a copy of the NEC (National Electrical Code) in a long time. However, back when I was electricianing fo...

~John[/quote]
Do they sell forney in Texas? I've never seen it around[/quote]

I'm about a year late to this party, but the ACE hardware here in Stephenville TX sells Forney.

ldb

Scott, I'm no Mig expert by any means, but a few things that I found that will give you fits are that the gun is not fully inserted into the machine and this limits the gas flow by having the gas ports half blocked and the polarity wrong for the wire type. Make sure that it's getting good gas flow,...

I'm looking to get a 'starter' TIG machine. Have to have AC because I want to weld aluminum. Thinking about the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. $800 on Amazon is in my price range, and I've seen some very good reviews of the machine. Anybody here with any experiences with one? All info appreciated.

Thanks for the links, GWD. Looks like there's a lot of info there. I've definitely got some reading to do.

I know Jody has done some videos with Everlast welders which seem to work well, but I've never seen anything about their plasma cutters. Does anybody have any experience with Everlast plasma cutters?