Making A Tig Weld - Century 12745 Operator's Manual

INVERTER ARC 230
TIG WELdING (TUNGSTEN INERT GAS WELdING)
This machine is capable of direct current (DC) TIG welding which
is suitable for hard metals such as steel, stainless steel, copper &
brass. The TIG process is good for welding thin materials requiring
very good cosmetic appearance with low heat input and low
spatter. TIG welding uses a tungsten electrode which delivers
electrical current to the work piece by way of an electric arc.
Unlike stick welding in which the electrode is consumed in the
arc, the tungsten electrode is not consumed. Instead filler metal is
added to the weld by manually dipping a filler rod into the weld
puddle. TIG welding requires a higher skill level than stick
welding and practice is required to master the technique. For best
results a TIG welding class is suggested or obtaining a book on
how to TIG weld.
TIG welding also requires 100% Argon shielding gas to shield the
arc, preventing porosity in the weld. This is different than stick
welding which has a coating on the electrode to produce its own
shielding. In addition, a gas regulator, a manual gas valve TIG
torch, torch parts kit, torch adapter and filler metal are required.
Refer to the accessories section of this manual for an appropriate
optional TIG torch, parts kit and torch adapter. A gas regulator,
filler metal and a bottle of shielding gas are readily available from
a welding gas distributor.
FIGURE B.7
Figure B.7 shows the basic TIG welding set-up:
TIG Torch with
Gas Valve
Tungsten
Work Piece
Gas Bottle with
Regulator
TIG Torch
Adaptor
Work Cable
Work Clamp
B-5

MAKING A TIG WELd:

1. Connect the work cable to the positive "+" output terminal.
2. Connect the TIG torch to the negative "-" output terminal.
3. Connect the gas line from the TIG torch adapter to the gas
regulator connected to the gas bottle.
4. Open the gas valve on the gas bottle and adjust the gas
regulator to approximately 20-30 cfm.
5. Set the amperage based on material thickness:
Steel Thickness
(1/16") 1.6mm
(1/8") 3.2mm
(3/16) 4.8mm
6. Turn machine on.
7. Turn the gas valve on the torch to start shielding gas flowing.
8. Touch the tungsten to the work piece and pause for a second.
9. Slowly lift the tungsten off the work piece to estalish the arc.
(Note: Rocking the torch back onto the ceramic shielding cup
is an easy way to do this steadily.)
10. With the torch pointed in the direction of travel angled about
75 degrees to the work piece slowly move the torch in the
direction of travel. Maintain about a 1/4" distance from the
tungsten to the work piece while moving. Apply filler metal to
the weld puddle by dipping the filler rod into the weld puddle
allowing it to melt off and being careful not to touch the filler
metal to the tungsten electrode.
11. At the end of the weld lift the TIG torch quickly away from the
work piece to break the arc.
12. Turn off torch gas valve.
13. Turn machine off.
NOTE:For more detailed information about TIG welding order "Gas Tungsten
Arc Welding Guide Book (JFLF-834)" from the James F. Lincoln Arc
Welding Foundation.
OPERATION
Amperage Setting
60-90 Amps
75-120 Amps
125-150 Amps