TIG welder onboard - pulled the trigger

[Simi 60]

And everyone else here will have trouble, if they follow your "advice"....

And using a bench grinder to sharpen your electrode does not necessarily facilitate ease of TIG welding. We have a $2,000 diamond tipped machine to do that, and it is still something I do not look forward to...

Me thinks someone here is selling swill...

If you had trouble with arc welding, I question your TIG abilities...

You're a funny guy when you get angry. (-;

A few points

I never advised anyone to get a Tig or mig or welder of any sort, you made that up.

I have never in all my time in the superyacht industry, alloy boat industry, stainless steel pressure vessel and brewery and beverage industry seen ANY business have a $2000 diamond tipped machine for sharpening tungsten.

As for your last one, that's a totally illogical comment
A bit like saying "if you have troubles driving a car I question your motorcycle riding abilities" ........to somone from Vietnam

 

[Austinsailor]

Learnig to weld with oxy/acetelene gas first gives a good understanding of heat and puddle control and is similar in execution to TIG. You just can't do aluminum or stainless.

I built and sold many pairs of dinghy davits thru sailorman in

Ft. Lauderdale

I beg to differ. Aluminum was welded with torches for many years before TIG was invented. I first learned to weld aluminum with a gas torch. Now, you can't weld pop cans like you can with TIG, but heavier stuff really isn't so difficult. Finding flux today can be a challenge.

 

[gc9773]

You're a funny guy when you get angry. (-;

A few points

I never advised anyone to get a Tig or mig or welder of any sort, you made that up.

I have never in all my time in the superyacht industry, alloy boat industry, stainless steel pressure vessel and brewery and beverage industry seen ANY business have a $2000 diamond tipped machine for sharpening tungsten.

As for your last one, that's a totally illogical comment
A bit like saying "if you have troubles driving a car I question your motorcycle riding abilities" ........to somone from Vietnam

Well, we do have $2,000 diamond tipped machine for sharpening electrodes, and it works very well, maybe we are in different industries??? My primary argument was regarding your statement:

"Mig and Tig was piss easy as that was all I did - conversely, most everyone else had trouble"

To suggest that TIG is "piss easy", might be interpreted incorrectly by many folks here. TIG is definitely not "piss easy" for many folks, and requires a dexterity which must be learned by many folks through a great deal of practice.

I've seen some folks pick it up rather quickly, but it is certainly not a process I would suggest for most maritime environments. For most people aboard a vessel, a welding process which would suit MOST situations would be EASY to implement, ruling out oxy/acetylene, TIG, and even MIG, which is where stick would likely shine.

I've spent plenty of time aboard ship, and we primarily used stick. TIG is not a "run of the mill" welding process, ironically, it is not even a process which pays well in industry.

I suggest that for the majority of folks reading this forum, TIG would likely not be congruent with their best interests, and furthermore, requires a skill which would require considerable practice to obtain...

 

[gc9773]

You're a funny guy when you get angry. (-;

A few points

I never advised anyone to get a Tig or mig or welder of any sort, you made that up.

I have never in all my time in the superyacht industry, alloy boat industry, stainless steel pressure vessel and brewery and beverage industry seen ANY business have a $2000 diamond tipped machine for sharpening tungsten.

As for your last one, that's a totally illogical comment
A bit like saying "if you have troubles driving a car I question your motorcycle riding abilities" ........to somone from Vietnam

And I do have some time aboard "super yachts"....

 

[gc9773]

You're a funny guy when you get angry. (-;

A few points

I never advised anyone to get a Tig or mig or welder of any sort, you made that up.

I have never in all my time in the superyacht industry, alloy boat industry, stainless steel pressure vessel and brewery and beverage industry seen ANY business have a $2000 diamond tipped machine for sharpening tungsten.

As for your last one, that's a totally illogical comment
A bit like saying "if you have troubles driving a car I question your motorcycle riding abilities" ........to somone from Vietnam

Additionally, your misunderstanding of the effect which DC- TIG welding might have on a compass betrays a potential lack of understanding regarding the process and the potential consequences when used on a marine vessel...

 

[KnotYet]

How do you passionate or treat after welding?

You're referring to 'passivate', of course.
This is an excellent question/point for stainless that will be in a salt environment.

When I TIG'd some 316 stainless parts I took them to a place that had acid tanks.
That would be the best and easiest approach.
If you don't have such a place available near you then a bucket of acid may work.

Maybe check youtube for some pointers.

 

[gc9773]

I'll get you the make and model of that $2,000 sharpener next Monday, as I use it to sharpen my 3/32" 2% thoriated tungsten electrode...

 

[KnotYet]

And everyone else here will have trouble, if they follow your "advice"....

And using a bench grinder to sharpen your electrode does not necessarily facilitate ease of TIG welding. We have a $2,000 diamond tipped machine to do that, and it is still something I do not look forward to...

Me thinks someone here is selling swill...

If you had trouble with arc welding, I question your TIG abilities...

I doubt anybody cares about your fancy sharpener. It isn't rocket science!

Actually any grinder with the appropriate stone will do the job just fine.
I got good electrodes using a green or white stone. Just don't use it for anything else.
Like TIG welding itself, good technique and practice makes perfect.

And next Monday, don't breathe the Thorium dust!

 

[gc9773]

I doubt anybody cares about your fancy sharpener. It isn't rocket science!

Actually any grinder with the appropriate stone will do the job just fine.
I got good electrodes using a green or white stone. Just don't use it for anything else.
Like TIG welding itself, good technique and practice makes perfect.

You are correct, it's just much easier to get the correct angle with the "dedicated grinder". I believe ours is set at 20 or 25 degrees...

 

[gc9773]

I doubt anybody cares about your fancy sharpener. It isn't rocket science!

Actually any grinder with the appropriate stone will do the job just fine.
I got good electrodes using a green or white stone. Just don't use it for anything else.
Like TIG welding itself, good technique and practice makes perfect.

And next Monday, don't breathe the Thorium dust!

You haven't heard? "Thorium Dust" builds healthy heart muscle! And adds to cognitive functioning! The things they have been keeping you from all these years! Plan on seeing it at your local CVS soon!

 

[gc9773]

I doubt anybody cares about your fancy sharpener. It isn't rocket science!

Actually any grinder with the appropriate stone will do the job just fine.
I got good electrodes using a green or white stone. Just don't use it for anything else.
Like TIG welding itself, good technique and practice makes perfect.

And next Monday, don't breathe the Thorium dust!

Oh, and it kills COVID in it's tracks, I plan on selling it via AM talk radio ASAP!

 

[KnotYet]

You haven't heard? "Thorium Dust" builds healthy heart muscle! And adds to cognitive functioning! The things they have been keeping you from all these years! Plan on seeing it at your local CVS soon!

I will be looking askance at those boxes of 2% Thoriated
that have been in my toolbox for a number of years!

 

[gc9773]

I beg to differ. Aluminum was welded with torches for many years before TIG was invented. I first learned to weld aluminum with a gas torch. Now, you can't weld pop cans like you can with TIG, but heavier stuff really isn't so difficult. Finding flux today can be a challenge.

+1

The fact that you can weld aluminum with oxy/acetylene humbles me!!! Even some of the pros I know cannot do it well!!!

 

[DDW]

All I can say is that from all your postings, I'd guess you are pretty unfamiliar with TIG welding. It isn't rocket science.

 

[gc9773]

All I can say is that from all your postings, I'd guess you are pretty unfamiliar with TIG welding. It isn't rocket science.

What I find ironic is that given some of the posts here, particularly those concerning the "dangers" of thoriated electrodes, my suggestion that TIG welders are probably not the most suited for a marine environment are met with derision...

Which suggests to me that many of you are not familiar with the marine environment...

I'll post the make and model of that sharpener on Monday, after which I will TIG weld steel with my thoriated electrode.... In the desert...

It's not rocket science, which is exactly why I am arguing against it...

 

[Simi 60]

A certain argumentative type on ignore sure has quietened this thread. (-;

 

[kthoennes]

All this argument isn't helping me figure out how to fix my broken aluminum bow rail.

 

[Simi 60]

You're referring to 'passivate', of course.
This is an excellent question/point for stainless that will be in a salt environment.

When I TIG'd some 316 stainless parts I took them to a place that had acid tanks.
That would be the best and easiest approach.
If you don't have such a place available near you then a bucket of acid may work.

Maybe check youtube for some pointers.

You can use pickling paste like... https://www.hampdon.com.au/Able-Inox-Stainless-Steel-Pickling-Cleaning-Paste-500g

Nasty stuff but works a treat.
Make sure you wear gloves and don't put it on hot welds

 

[Simi 60]

All this argument isn't helping me figure out how to fix my broken aluminum bow rail.View attachment 123481

If it was me doing my mcguyvering onboard I'd make a fibreglass/epoxy stanchion base seeing as I have glass and epoxy on board.

Unless of course you can find a base to suit that tube and angle.

 

[gc9773]

A certain argumentative type on ignore sure has quietened this thread. (-;

Or quite possibly, your ignorance is allowing those in the know to take a step back....

 

[gc9773]

All this argument isn't helping me figure out how to fix my broken aluminum bow rail.View attachment 123481

TIG would certainly repair it, but MIG would be much quicker, and likely more accessible...

 

[gc9773]

All this argument isn't helping me figure out how to fix my broken aluminum bow rail.View attachment 123481

To be honest, the best "repair" would be just to order a new part...

 

[gc9773]

If it was me doing my mcguyvering onboard I'd make a fibreglass/epoxy stanchion base seeing as I have glass and epoxy on board.

Unless of course you can find a base to suit that tube and angle.

Fiberglass and epoxy, quite the welder indeed, you are in over your ever head here...

 

[Brisyboy]

Hey Simi

We were heading to Little Ships yesterday and would have sworn I saw you anchored up in the Lazarette. Noticed clouds of smoke and sparks coming off your back deck - I can`t be sure but it looked like someone practicing their TIG welding with an old Tech College text book propped up next to them - Intro to TIG welding - obviously your mate from Albuquerque would applaud

 

[GoneDiving]

Hey Simi

We were heading to Little Ships yesterday and would have sworn I saw you anchored up in the Lazarette. Noticed clouds of smoke and sparks coming off your back deck.....

Ahhhh, I love the smell of burning spotted gum in the morning!!! ?

 

[Simi 60]

Ahhhh, I love the smell of burning spotted gum in the morning!!! ��

Smells like VICTORY


It was us in the Lazarette, but the tig is still at the post office, collect next week with the $2000 diamond grinder :lol:

 

[Simi 60]

Hey Simi

We were heading to Little Ships yesterday and would have sworn I saw you anchored up in the Lazarette.

How'd that bit of weather treat you?
Plenty on the drag near us at (now) Deanbilla

 

[GoneDiving]

So much thread drift, I might as well add to it. ?

I'd expect the oficianadoes to have a field day but what's wrong with the attached? To my layman eyes seems to have good penetration, strength and no porosity but I'm certainly not the one to pass judgement. Seems much easier and less gear than TIG/MIG especially away from civilisation.

https://youtu.be/XaMliH_F2LM

 

[Brisyboy]

How'd that bit of weather treat you?
Plenty on the drag near us at (now) Deanbilla

Down at Dalpura ( NW corner of Macleay) Banana Banks recorded gusts up to 40knts - good old Rocna was rock solid but it raised the pucka factor a smidge. Fired up the Lehmans just in case but they werent needed. Beautiful here now

 

[Mako]

"Originally Posted by Mako: How do you passionate or treat after welding?"

You're referring to 'passivate', of course.
This is an excellent question/point for stainless that will be in a salt environment.

Yes, passivate. I hate autocorrect!