TIG Welding
Today I finally got to try out tungsten-inert-gas welding. As advertised it is more challenging than MIG welding but has the potential to create a much cleaner more-controlled weld.
With TIG, a tungsten electrode (tungsten so it won't melt) is at the center of an inert-gas jet. You create an arc between the electrode and the workpiece and optionally add filler rod (like solder but made of steel) with the other hand. (The inert gas prevents oxidation.) The arc really looks much more like a flame, especially since it it is the jet of gas. In this way the arc looks very much like that of a plasma cutter.
With MIG welding, the filler rod is the electrode, and it is advanced automatically. As a result MIG throws sparks (and “sounds like welding”) whereas TIG is almost spark-free. If you have skills (which I have yet to develop), you can get a beautiful weld:
source: Wikipedia
I was able to find only one closeup photo of the process online:
source: Linde Gas
but this isn't what the process actually looks like. (I think it may be Photo Shopped.) First, the metal should be glowing red hot. Second, the helmet has green-tinted glass, so while it's cool to see in full color, this isn't what you see while doing it. I'll try to get some pictures of this stuff some time.
With TIG, a tungsten electrode (tungsten so it won't melt) is at the center of an inert-gas jet. You create an arc between the electrode and the workpiece and optionally add filler rod (like solder but made of steel) with the other hand. (The inert gas prevents oxidation.) The arc really looks much more like a flame, especially since it it is the jet of gas. In this way the arc looks very much like that of a plasma cutter.
With MIG welding, the filler rod is the electrode, and it is advanced automatically. As a result MIG throws sparks (and “sounds like welding”) whereas TIG is almost spark-free. If you have skills (which I have yet to develop), you can get a beautiful weld:
source: Wikipedia
I was able to find only one closeup photo of the process online:
source: Linde Gas
but this isn't what the process actually looks like. (I think it may be Photo Shopped.) First, the metal should be glowing red hot. Second, the helmet has green-tinted glass, so while it's cool to see in full color, this isn't what you see while doing it. I'll try to get some pictures of this stuff some time.