TIG welding

[arandall]

I just welded up some 26ga galvanized duct-work ( that's right - 26ga) for a renovation project I'm working on, using my LS-200P. - - not real pretty - but it worked, and would not likely have been possible with my MIG welder. By the way, I used .030 MIG wire for filler. I don't pretend to be a good TIG welder - I'm just learning - but I'm getting better, and I'm liking my LS-200P more and more each time I use it. In addition, using the Plasma Cut function, it came in really handy to make cut-outs in the center of the duct where it would have been really awkward to use snips.

The level of adjustability on this machine is really good, and despite some initial problems, so far I'm very pleased with my unit. - -very good value for dollar, and good customer support.

Art Randall

[KHK]

26 Ga Woo that's good. I have been TIG welding for quite some time. It would be a big chalange for me.

Cutting, welding galv metal does emit toxic fumes. Use lots of ventalation.

keith

[Gaustin]

I'd love to see some pics. Even if they are rough. Its been my experience as a welder that a bottle of 75/25 Ar/CO2 and some small diamater mig wire can work some wonders on thin material. Welding 26Ga with GTAW is a pretty good feat.

The tig welding has always had a tendancy to overheat the base metal. For low heat unput GMAW and very low voltage is hard to match.

How low does your MIG machine go ?

[arandall]

Keith:

You're right - the fumes are nasty, and the zinc really contaminates the weld, - but "you gotta do what you gotta do".

Gaustin:

Sorry, no pics - the duct-work is already up and concealed - next time I'll take some pics - maybe I'll be prouder of my work by then. By the way, I'm using straight argon for the shield gas with TIG, and MIG Mix (75/25 argon/CO2) for MIG.

My MIG machine is a Miller 180 Auto-set, so the controls don't give you an amperage or voltage value, but the lowest setting it shows is for 24ga. (position #1). I have found that for thin gauge metal, especially if it's galvanized, that the MIG doesn't give enough control, even with the wire speed slowed way down. But again - I'm just a novice tinkering on my old cars in my shop. I do like my stuff to look nice though.

By the way - it's nice to get feed-back from people who actually know what they're doing. I am definitely not too old, or too proud to learn.

Art R.

[Gaustin]

The galvanizing could be an issue. Maybe removing much of it with a sander prior to performing GMAW could help.

[KHK]

Gaustin,
I have found that removing about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the galv from the weld area will do the job. What is your experence?

keith

[Gaustin]

At least 1/2 or so for me. The zinc is hard to get completely removed. The width of the area didn't seem to matter as much as how well it was removed from under the weld.

[steveo928]

I just welded up some 26ga galvanized duct-work ( that's right - 26ga) for a renovation project I'm working on, using my LS-200P. - - not real pretty - but it worked, and would not likely have been possible with my MIG welder. By the way, I used .030 MIG wire for filler. I don't pretend to be a good TIG welder - I'm just learning - but I'm getting better, and I'm liking my LS-200P more and more each time I use it. In addition, using the Plasma Cut function, it came in really handy to make cut-outs in the center of the duct where it would have been really awkward to use snips.

The level of adjustability on this machine is really good, and despite some initial problems, so far I'm very pleased with my unit. - -very good value for dollar, and good customer support.

Art Randall

hey what were those problems you were talking about?CoolManFiringFiringGreenSmokingGreenSmokingc heersiconcheersiconjokericonjokericon

[arandall]

Steveo928:
That was quite a while ago now, but if I remember,l the machine just suddenly refused to light an arc, either TIG or Plasma - no OC light though.
Longevity replaced it - no question, and no problem although it did cost me for the return shipping.

Cheers,
Art R.