TIG welding class, selecting a time

[Chris Robison]

I've put together a short list of possible time slots for a 2-hour TIG
welding class for this coming weekend. Of those who would like to
attend, I'd like to get your input on what time slots work for you.
This will also give me an idea of how many people to expect.

Please vote here -- check ALL that apply:

http://strawpoll.me/3962951


Disclaimer stuff:
I cannot guarantee the class won't suck. I don't yet have any good
idea of how many people can be meaningfully trained on a single welder
in a 2-hour time period, so I don't know how much you'll get out of
it. This class will be as much a learning experience for me as it will
(hopefully) be for those who take it. As such I'm not charging
anything for the class, though I may come up with some modest donation
suggestion for materials. I'll be very interested in feedback about
what could be done differently or better. I'll help those who need
more instruction afterward, and that will help me make improvements as
well.

Stuff to bring:
Close-toed shoes
Shirt of natural material (eg. cotton), pref. with long sleeves

Recommended:
A welding jacket if you have one. We have a couple leather welding
jackets here for those who forget
Welding gloves if you have them -- the thinner TIG type gloves are
better than the thick barbecue-glove style more commonly used with
MIG.


--c



On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 8:58 PM, Chris Robison
<chris.e...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'll be around making notes tonight on what needs to be acquired; Tim and I
> will be picking up some materials (argon, steel, tungsten, etc) tomorrow.
> FWIW, I happen to be in agreement with most of what David's said below
> though I've recently been experimenting with proprietary mixes in my
> tungsten electrodes. I'll probably be picking up standard 2% lanthanated for
> the class though; it's what I've been using for years (and in the beginning
> the people at the welding shop would look at me funny for asking for it).
>
> I have more filler rods than I know what to do with, but I'll be getting
> some exclusively for class use.
>
> For general use, I think people should purchase and be responsible for their
> own consumables, but this is something I'm willing to discuss. My opinion
> has already evolved on the matter to some extent, and it can evolve further
> with community input. For the purposes of the class, I'll pick up some
> basics tomorrow and deal later with whatever compensation may be reasonable.
>
> Finally, I need to announce a time for the class this weekend (I know I'm
> really late doing this). I will be sending out another email on that subject
> this evening.
>
> --c
>
>
>
> On 3/25/2015 5:38 PM, David M wrote:
>>
>> I was waiting for Chris to chime in here, he should ultimately be the
>> one specifying the exact materials required. I have never used his
>> machine and don't know anything about it's particularities.
>>
>> But, that won't stop me from mouthing off anyways ;)
>>
>> TL;DR: I recommend 3/32 diameter 1.5 or 2% lanthanated tungstens, 4"
>> square 1/8" thickness mild steel coupons (squares), and 1/8" steel
>> filler rods for the beginner class. And a thin leather glove for your
>> non-dominant hand (eg the one holding the filler rod).
>>
>> I bet anything that if each student has to go to the welding store to
>> buy their supplies, they'll all show up with different or insufficient
>> supplies.
>>
>> Besides, filler rods come in fairly large quantities. I don't know if
>> you can even buy "just a handful".
>>
>> I think it would be more practical to charge a "material fee" that
>> pays for a tungsten, a handful of filler rods, and however many
>> practice coupons. You pay the money when you register, the teacher
>> makes one run for supplies before the class is held, everyone gets the
>> right stuff.
>>
>> Regarding the electrode types...
>>
>> The electrode diameter is determined on the amperage you are using.
>> Thicker material = more amperage. A tiny electrode will burn right
>> away if you crank the power up too much, but won't give any real
>> penetration with insufficient current.
>>
>> 3/32" electrodes and 1/8" filler rods are about right for practicing
>> on something like 4" squares of 1/8" mild steel.
>>
>> The 1.5% or 2% lanthanated tungstens are suitable for BOTH steel and
>> aluminum welding, and there's no radioactive dust like with the
>> thoriated rods. The only downside is you can't snap 'em off easily,
>> need to grind a little notch in it before it will snap. Otherwise it
>> just shatters.
>>
>> Thoriated tungstens are only good for DC welding (nearly always DCEP
>> aka Direct Current Electrode Positive), which is what you'd be using
>> for steel. Not to mention the radioactive dust issue. They crack up
>> and fall apart when you try using them for AC welding, and don't ball
>> up well either. (A sharpened point is used for DC welding).
>>
>> Pure tungsten electrodes on the other hand are only good for AC
>> welding (used for Aluminum). If you try and grind a point on one for
>> DC welding it just balls right up again (whereas a ball-end is what
>> you want for AC)
>>
>> -David
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 3:20 PM, Joseph Ngo <josep...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks for the info
>>>
>>> On Mar 25, 2015 3:15 PM, "Danny Miller" <dan...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Disclaimer- I am not knowledgeable in this area. I'm just parroting
>>>> what
>>>> I got told.
>>>>
>>>> OK so I talked to Texas Welding Supply. The tips aren't specific to the
>>>> machine's model, but vary with the job. This is "simplest job you can
>>>> do".
>>>> He said 3/32" electrode for steel and 1/8" for aluminum. The sub-option
>>>> there is conventional pure tungsten electrodes for $4 or the newer E3
>>>> electrodes for $6. The E3 is more versatile and does mild
>>>> steel/stainless/aluminum. Not clear what the pure tungsten's limitation
>>>> is.
>>>>
>>>> On top of that, we need the actual filler rod that gets consumed by
>>>> adding
>>>> into the weld. 3/32 steel $3.40/lb aluminum $5.64, and that obviously
>>>> must
>>>> be the same metal as being welded.
>>>>
>>>> Danny
>>>>
>>>> On 3/24/2015 12:17 PM, Joseph Ngo wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I talked to someone at a welding shop. He said a tungsten tip for steel
>>>> and tungsten tip for aluminum are different. He quoted about $3 a
>>>> peice.
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 24, 2015 11:58 AM, "Joseph Ngo" <josep...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I will drop by a welding shop for tig electrode recommendation
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 24, 2015 11:47 AM, "Danny Miller" <dan...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like to get in on this too, what electrodes?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Danny
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 3/23/2015 11:15 PM, mongoose.dog wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, Chris, I'm down for learning on steel first, and then working
>>>>>> towards aluminum later. Like I said, anytime this weekend is good
>>>>>> for me,
>>>>>> just one question: There seem to be a bunch of types of electrodes,
>>>>>> what
>>>>>> type should I (we) get and where do we get them locally? I imagine
>>>>>> HF,
>>>>>> Grainger, maybe Home Depot/Lowes?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Monday, March 23, 2015 at 8:37:49 AM UTC-5, Chris Robison wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bear in mind that TIG welding is a bit involved to learn, and it
>>>>>>> takes
>>>>>>> a while to just get the process figured out, even in the easiest
>>>>>>> cases. It's not point-and-shoot like MIG welding.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> For both beginners and those who already know how to TIG weld, it
>>>>>>> makes the most sense to focus the first "class" on TIG welding mild
>>>>>>> steel. It puddles easily, flows more-or-less predictably, heat stays
>>>>>>> relatively local so it doesn't require a lot of power, doesn't have
>>>>>>> crazy contamination and oxidation issues to the extent that aluminum
>>>>>>> does, and in general just behaves better. And for those who already
>>>>>>> know how to weld, the class would be useful as a simple introduction
>>>>>>> to my particular machine and how to use its controls.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think TIG welding aluminum is an advanced topic for those who want
>>>>>>> to learn it, that really belongs in a different session appropriate
>>>>>>> for those who have already demonstrated proficiency at welding steel.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> BTW, I'm still trying to figure out a workable time for this, updates
>>>>>>> soon...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --c
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sun, Mar 22, 2015 at 11:52 PM, Joseph Ngo <josep...@gmail.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Tig group,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Kevin pointed out that we need some scrap AL to weld. You can get
>>>>>>>> some from
>>>>>>>> the drop zone at Metals4U. I'm working on getting the time and date
>>>>>>>> set.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Very Interested, and can make time whenever.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So count me in.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Sun, Mar 22, 2015 at 12:01 PM, mongoose.dog <mongoo...@gmail.com>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Very interested. Should we find our own Al plate as well?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Also, at the moment I'm completely open time-wise.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 11:17:23 AM UTC-5, josephqtn1 wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Chris Robison owns the tig welder at the space. He is going to
>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>> class next weekend. I don't have a specific time yet. I figure a
>>>>>>>>>> $20
>>>>>>>>>> donation makes Chris happy. Also Chris will not supply the
>>>>>>>>>> tungsten
>>>>>>>>>> electrode.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Let me know if your interested?
>>>>>>>>>
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>
>

[mbh...@gmail.com]

Thanks,

I voted already. As an outsider and new member, I think the best thing to do for a beginner class, is not as much hands on. More of watching someone who has done it before and getting the idea and theory of it down is essential. Understanding is key in my book!

I for one, learn tremendously by watching at first, then gathering questions to further that knowledge.

I will gladly donate for materials and the first class would be a good base to see how many people would be invested in a class like this.

Just my 2 cents.

Sent from my iPhone

[Chris Robison]

OK folks, results are in. I'll be holding the TIG class on Saturday 3/28 7-9pm.

At the moment I have 4 people who voted for that time slot. See you there!

--c


On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 11:31 PM, Chris Robison

[Chris Robison]

OK folks, results are in. I'll be holding the TIG class on Saturday 3/28 7-9pm.

At the moment I have 4 people who voted for that time slot. See you there!

--c


On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 11:31 PM, Chris Robison

[Weston]

If it's not too late to sign up for the TIG welder session tomorrow night, please add me too.

[Joseph Ngo]

Your in

On Mar 27, 2015 10:15 PM, "Weston" <bigman...@gmail.com> wrote:

If it's not too late to sign up for the TIG welder session tomorrow night, please add me too.

[Chris Robison]

Not really a fixed list at this point, mainly since I don't know what
a good limit would even be. Anyone who wants to participate is
welcome.

We definitely have enough practice material to work with :-)

--c

[Quinten Rhea Art]

Thanks.  I will check it out.