Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm just started doing tig welding on pipe and I'm and right handed and I'm am really having a hard time with the right side of the pipe I tried using my left hand but its really uncomfortable and when I use my right hand and wrap around the pipe I have a hard time seeing what I'm doing

awal88 wrote:I'm just started doing tig welding on pipe and I'm and right handed and I'm am really having a hard time with the right side of the pipe I tried using my left hand but its really uncomfortable and when I use my right hand and wrap around the pipe I have a hard time seeing what I'm doing

Here's Jody's bunch of tig video's.
He has a handful of 6g video's.
Might have a look thru them.
http://welding-tv.com/category/tig-welding/
~John

Unless you are allowed to reposition your coupon during the 6G test, it is difficult to get both side of the pipe done with your right hand only. The best way is to learn to use your left hand as well. Let's face it, if you are seeking a career that involves pipe welding, you're going to have to learn lefty anyway.

It feels awkward and just plain wrong to start with. Helmet time fixes this, nothing else. Put in as much practice as possible and you will be surprised how quick it normalizes. (Cursing every time you stick your tungsten also helps, but keep it sharp).
Good luck!

Lol yeah that's the biggest problem I have left handed is getting into position and not sticking my tungsten

Are you walking the cup or dabbing? Either way make a lot of practice dry runs with the torch and muscle memory will help you a lot. I have found since I prepared and passed my ASME IX pipe and pressure vessel cert I am a lot more comfortable swapping hands. Now I switch back and forth all the time it makes life much easier.

Just watch your torch angle that was the hardest thing left handed for me as I was coming up the left side.