In article , Jim Stewart
wrote:

Ernie Leimkuhler wrote:
In article , Kevin
Beitz wrote:


I'm thinking about taking up some schooling this winter...
I do a lot of welding and thought I would like to learn Tig welding...
Whould anyone here explain what Tig welding is and how it works...
Also ... Can a Mig weld do Tig welding with attachments???
Thanks...
Kevin


TIG machines and MIG machines are very different.
There are machines that can do both, but none that do both really well.

You can TIG weld off of any Stick welder, but if you want the full
process you need a real TIG machine.

You don't need a big or fancy one, but a real TIG machine is set up for
passing the shielding gas through the machine and allowing a foot pedal
to control your power contactor and amperage level.
Also a TIG machine will have a built in High Frequency transformer for
initiating your arc.

TIG is basically striking and arc between the base metal and a
non-consuming tungsten eletrode.
A inert shielding gas is used to protect the tungsten and the molten
puddle from air.
The current is controlled by a foot pedal, and the filler rod is fed
by hand just like gas welding.

What keeps you from getting a nasty shock from the high freqency?


The base metal is a better ground than you are, most of the time.
Honestly everybody who TIG welds get bitten by high freq. a few times.
No big deal.
You jump out of your socks, but that is about it.
High frequency electricity goes through your skin, not your heart.
So it makes you jump, but does no damage.

I have been hit maybe 5 times in 20 years of TIG welding.
Most of those times were when I was using a thumb-wheel controller
instead of a foot pedal and forgot I had the power on.