Everlast PowerARC 161STH Operator's Manual page 22

Section 2
General Setup. The process to set up the welder
for the basic TIG mode is much less involved than
for basic MIG or Stick. TIG voltage is not conven-
tionally adjustable and is a product of the arc
length. This is not to say voltage is not important
to TIG welding, but it is not something that can be
adjusted on the unit. In practical terms, voltage is
not a concern to the user as it is self regulating.
Amperage however, is adjustable. Setting up Am-
perage correctly for TIG is different as there is no
"sound" to listen for. But for each given thickness
of metal, there is an acceptable range of adjust-
ment for TIG. Traditionally, a general rule of
thumb for TIG setup is to set approximately 1 amp
for every .001" of metal thickness. For modern
inverter technology, that may be too many amps in
all but the thickest weld material, particularly for a
DC inverter TIG welder such as this one. In many
cases, you will only need to use 75% to 80% of
that amperage. But if you are setting up the unit to
use a foot pedal, use the rule of thumb to begin
with as you can always back off the amperage as
you are welding by letting up some on the foot
pedal. If needed, there are several online TIG apps
and calculators that you can give you starting
points for welding almost any thickness as well as
general settings for tungsten size, and gas flow
rates. Use the general information on the follow-
ing pages to help guide you through arc starting,
tungsten preparation and .
Welding. If you are new to TIG welding, it's im-
portant that you understand that TIG welding is
much slower than forms of welding. It requires
patience and steady practice to become proficient
at TIG welding. However, most people can achieve
some level of proficiency at TIG welding if they are
patient, and are willing to analyze and adjust the
way they are welding. To start welding, set the
amps desired for the metal thickness you are
about to weld. Before striking the arc, make sure
the shielding gas is on, and properly set. Also ad-
just your Tungsten stick-out to about 1/8"-1/4" to
begin with. If a gas lens is used, the stick out may
increase up to 1", depending upon gas lens size.
Then follow the arc starting methods on page 24.
Once the arc is started, keep a loose but sure grip
on the TIG torch to prevent cramping. An under-
hand hold is good, similar to the way a pencil is
held. A foregrip may be used as well, but offers
less fine control at the beginning and requires
more propping to keep the torch steady.
Basic TIG Operation
running slowly without filler metal first. Keep the
torch head inclined away from the direction of trav-
el, so the Tungsten stays just above the puddle,
pointed toward the front of the puddle. Move slow-
ly and methodically, gauging your forward move-
ment to make sure it is steady and paced. Imagine
a thick coin is able to be placed between the tip of
the Tungsten and the weld puddle. As your skill
progresses, you will want to add filler wire to your
practice. The angle created between the filler rod
should be about 90 degrees. You should insert
your head in between the rod and torch, so that
your head is about at the 45 degree mark so that it
bisects the angle. This will allow you clearly see the
arc. Do not try to sit back and view the arc from
above as detail may be easily seen and puddle will
be obscured. When the puddle develops, feed the
filler rod into the front edge of the puddle, being
careful not to place the filler on top of the Tung-
sten, or touch it in any way. If you dip the tungsten
into the filler rod or into the puddle, you must stop
and regrind it or the ar will become unstable. Feed
the filler in regular, timed dips as the puddle forms.
If you need, count as you time your dips until you
can do it without thinking. As you proceed to dip
your rod into the edge of the puddle, keep the rod
close to the puddle, within the gas cone. If the fill-
er metal starts to melt before you dip, you have it
too close, or you have the rod inclined too much so
that heat is being directed too far in front of the
puddle. As you add the filler, be sure to pause mo-
mentarily with the forward travel of the torch. If
desired, a tiny back step motion may be used to
improve weld appearance. There are other ways
to add filler and to create a sound weld. You can
keep the filler wire in the puddle, with the rod lay-
ing in a flatter profile and weld. As the torch
moves forward and the rod melts, the filler can be
slid, with gentle pressure, into the puddle as need-
ed to fill the weld. This is known as the Lay-Wire
technique. Another method of welding has more to
do with torch manipulation than it does filler addi-
tion, is called walking the cup. The cup is rested
on the metal while the torch head is oscillated in a
figure 8 pattern. This will require a forehand grip
typically, and a good bit of motion of your forearm
to accomplish. The filler metal should be moved
from side to side to provide an evenly filled puddle
under the Tungsten. This method requires much
practice and effort, but yields beautiful welds when
performed correctly. If you cannot see the puddle
Practice or your helmet flashes (auto darkening types), you
22
General Setup and Operation