TIG welding is an art, but Not everybody is an artist.

Last year I finally bought myself a TIG welder so that I could weld aluminum, stainless steel, roll cages, and overall, step up my welding game.  I figured since I had been MIG welding for 10+ years, TIG would be a piece of cake, but boy was I wrong.  TIG welding is an absolute art, but not everybody is an artist.  It takes a boat load of practice and dexterity to be good at it, which is why professionals make the big bucks.  As I mentioned in this blog that I wrote a few weeks ago, MIG welding can be done with 1 hand (blind folded, tango dancing, while on fire).  TIG on the other hand requires holding filler rod with the left hand, a torch in the right hand (at the correct angle), and it has a foot pedal to control the heat.  Once you get all three limbs to work in unison, metal begins to melt, and the learning curve really begins.

Faster than I could say “this is hard to do!“, I had burned through 2 tanks of argon, countless filler rods, several pieces of tungsten, and a few layers of skin.  As I quickly learned, aluminum retains heat really well, and doesn’t look hot even when it is.  Note to readers: WEAR GLOVES when TIG’n!

Here are a few “finished” pieces from my last practice session. Like I said, TIG welding is an art, and not everybody is an artist, yet.

Jeremy Nutt

Hi, I'm Jeremy.

6 thoughts to “TIG welding is an art, but Not everybody is an artist.”

  1. The lighter colored area on the edges of the welds are actually just where I cleaned up the metal with a grinder. Another good thing to note when TIG welding is that the metal needs to be spotlessly clean. As soon as you think its clean enough, clean it once more. If you don't, the welds look horrific.

  2. Hi,
    Mine is not just a comment but a question on how to set the button on a miller dynasty 350 for welding aluminum welding using AC current. i just can find the right setting after welding the first day and the second day i just can set it to weld aluminium. i will be glad if you can help me get through this.
    regards
    cletus

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