TIG welding

I started TIG welding today at school and that shit is really hard. I can't get a good bead going, it's all gloopy and I keep on shocking the shit out of myself. haha Are there any tips out there that anyone can give me to make a "better bead" lol

Thanks,Mark

keep the tungsten sharpened.....it's kind of hard to get used to....one thing that heps me is to hold it like a pencil and keep some pressure on the filler rod...kind of hard to explaine....hope that helps

to quit shocking yourself wear long sleeves if you're leaning on a metal table. what thickness metal are you working on? what is your machine set at?

i am wearing long sleeves its just sometimes after i am done i think my foot is still pushing the pedal down a little and shock my finger on the filler rod. the metal is i think about 1/8 of an inch or so and the amps were set at 75 i think its just how it was the teach supposedly set it up but i doubt he did cause he is loosing his memory do to the fact that he had wes nile virus

thanks again
anything helps
Mark

i was taught to crank it all the way up or close to it and work off the top of the peddle....but there's lots of different ways to do it. everyone is different

that sounds about right. i usually put it a little higher than what the teacher said and used the peddle like greg says but not cranked up cause i was using a lincoln 175 so about half way was good. try to find something like the table to run your torch hand in a straight line then just keep the fill rod inserted when necessary. another thing is that you're going to have to let up on the heat towards the end or you'll burn through or just have way too much penetration. also try using different size tungsten. i usually use something a little thinner than recommended but add more frequently while welding cause i found the thicker rod was cooling the weld too fast

pay attention to your tungsten tip and be careful not to dip it, use filler sparingly but always watch the tungsten to make sure you it doesnt dip, hover it over your last weld to keep gas on it and then slowly pull away and you shouldnt get shocked

i brought home some of the pieces of 16 gauge steel i was practicing on and as soon as i can get my hands on a camera i will put them up for your input

Mark

make sure the polarity is correct, haha that could be a problem but i am guessin it isn't, but you really just need practice practice and more practice, i do it for a living, it will come to you

i find it easier as well to set the setting a little higher than what i should be welding at, then just use the pedal.

practice the motion of the electrode on paper, or everywhere you go, i know it may sound dumb, but i bet it's mainly that TIG requires the electrode placement to be precise, and the only way to get there is to practice!