Welding Tips and Tricks

When I was 14 I learned Stick. Tig and Heliarc welding from a NY state instructor.

I welded stainless and mild steel.

Now I'm 60 and just invested in oxy/act torch
Uniweld lightduty,
A small mig unit 200 amp
And an everlast dv200
Size 9 and 26 air cooled tig unit
Over the course of a year.

I'm having fun and learning a lot
Open to learn a lot and contribute
Somehow down the road

I have a stupid TIG question
If welding with 3/32 lant electrode at 100 A and 50% duty

And you accidentally dip in the puddle and melt your point
I know you should resharpen electrode

But do you have to shut the welder power
I have he start but you have to step on footpedeal right?

Let me know what you think

Any advice on things to practice are welcome

Unscrew the back cap, pull the tungsten out, sharpen it, tighten the back cap, and weld on. No need whatsoever to turn the machine off. If you are using a foot pedal, then the pedal energizes the current to the arc.

Thanks just wanted to be safe


Also I made the mistake of screwing in the back all the way so there was no way to tighten it from back
fixed it now found that on a few of the blogs like mister tig and fabrication

thanks again