Welding Tips and Tricks

I need some advice before I make a costly mistake. I have been asked to make an Atoud by in In-Law, and he has asked me to make the frame as light as possible. He has also asked that I use Stainless Steel for inside liner and for food surfaces.

So this means I get to do/learn two new techniques, and also have the need for purchasing a Tig Welder. I'm having some problems finding the right Tig Welder for my needs and my budget. I have a Flux Core/Mig Welder and I have Oxy/Ace and Air Plasma.

Here is what I know: I need to weld Aluminium and Stainless Steel (not to each other). 1/8 to 3/16 Aluminium and 18-20ga stainless. Add in for good measure Mild Steel to 1/4" (especially if I can weld it faster or not have to change out machines).

From reading I know I need an AC/DC Tig Welder. I would also like to buy a complete kit (minus gas bottle), I would rather not have to buy separate components other than consumables. And additionally it would be nice if it can run on 110v and 220v, but the dual voltage is far from a requirement.

My budget sucks, I have looked over craigslist for the past few days and there's a few on there, but they are asking more than I really want to spend on my hobby. I would like to/ need to keep my purchase under $1000 and would be more comfortable under $750.

PLEASE don't just say save your money and then go buy a Miller or a Hobart. Also the adage of buy a Miller or Hobart and you will only buy it once... These are non productive statements because it's not practical for me to "wait and save" the money, I have a project NOW that I need to do, so waiting isn't much of an option. And the "you will only buy once" cliché is only true if it's used a LOT. I am not a professional, and I doubt I will be welding Stainless or Aluminium more than once or twice a year tops.

So if anyone can help me determine a good basic inexpensive setup that I can buy now, use it to learn/practice with and then build this project I would really appreciate the help!!!

One of the cheapest options would be to get a used transformer stick welder and add the parts to TIG with it. You would end up with a reliable machine with minimal cost. It'll be a scratch start setup and won't have all the nifty features of a $4k inverter but, it'll get the job done. Plus, if you can get good at that setup, an inverter will be like switching from a bar stool to a recliner. If you want an inverter, you can get machines from companies like Everlast and Longevity within your budget.

After having bought a machine that included a torch, I'll never do it again. Not a big fan of the torches that are included and it would have cost me less to just buy the machine and the torch separately. Now I got a really expensive torch sitting in a box in storage.

The learning curve with TIG is pretty high. It will take a good bit of practice to do what you want especially if it's for sanitary work. Not trying to dissuade you, just saying it'll be a challenge to get things right.

For a hobby setup, this will get you started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fguSYx-gjjg
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Power ... 10-pd.html

The foot pedal will be extra, so if you are interested in one, order it at the same time.
The learning curve for TIG will require lots of practice, so watch lots of online videos.
Find lots of scrap metal and take your time to learn this new skill (and be patient).

michialt wrote:I need some advice before I make a costly mistake. I have been asked to make an Atoud by in In-Law, and he has asked me to make the frame as light as possible. He has also asked that I use Stainless Steel for inside liner and for food surfaces.

So this means I get to do/learn two new techniques, and also have the need for purchasing a Tig Welder. I'm having some problems finding the right Tig Welder for my needs and my budget. I have a Flux Core/Mig Welder and I have Oxy/Ace and Air Plasma.

Here is what I know: I need to weld Aluminium and Stainless Steel (not to each other). 1/8 to 3/16 Aluminium and 18-20ga stainless. Add in for good measure Mild Steel to 1/4" (especially if I can weld it faster or not have to change out machines).

From reading I know I need an AC/DC Tig Welder. I would also like to buy a complete kit (minus gas bottle), I would rather not have to buy separate components other than consumables. And additionally it would be nice if it can run on 110v and 220v, but the dual voltage is far from a requirement.

My budget sucks, I have looked over craigslist for the past few days and there's a few on there, but they are asking more than I really want to spend on my hobby. I would like to/ need to keep my purchase under $1000 and would be more comfortable under $750.

PLEASE don't just say save your money and then go buy a Miller or a Hobart. Also the adage of buy a Miller or Hobart and you will only buy it once... These are non productive statements because it's not practical for me to "wait and save" the money, I have a project NOW that I need to do, so waiting isn't much of an option. And the "you will only buy once" cliché is only true if it's used a LOT. I am not a professional, and I doubt I will be welding Stainless or Aluminium more than once or twice a year tops.

So if anyone can help me determine a good basic inexpensive setup that I can buy now, use it to learn/practice with and then build this project I would really appreciate the help!!!

I'm saving up for a Longevity, too. In school, the technique that helped me was to take some coupons and a handful of filler rods and see how long I could spend on one bead. TIG is not a fast process at all. Also, something that REALLY helped me was to weld off-handed. Meaning I, as a right-hander would weld left handed. The hardest part for me was getting the filler rod in the right spot, right down the throat of the weld. Filling the rod with my right hand helped increase my accuracy. I just recently started stainless for the first time at my job. You'll want to clamp the hell out of it and go at it way cold. Too hot and it'll turn into a statue of a flag. Don't worry about the color distortion on stainless, it will sand out when you put the finish on it.

With your budget, I was also thinking of the PowerTIG 185 - micro. Many of the usual variables are at default settings so as a novice you only have to concentrate on the main settings. And yes include a foot pedal.
I found Ally easier with the TIG when I started and the SS for me took a bit more effort,
If I can give you a couple of hints it would be to get a molten pool happening as fast as practical and move as fast as you are able. Lingering too long will just cook the metal, especially the SS which should have a bronze appearance and if dirty grey looking you have lingered too long assuming gas coverage and all else is well.

Well I managed to luck out. I was talking to an old friend about wanting a welder, and he had a Lotus 200a ac/dc sitting in his garage, he bought it, then got hurt so he hadnt even unpacked it. He sold it to me pretty cheap. I figure if it doesnt last, I wont be out too much.

Started playing with it this weekent on some mild steel. If other metals are as easy as mild steel is, I cant see going back to mig