Learning to weld with SMAW (stick) and GTAW (TIG)

Section outline

• Select section General

  General

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  • Select activity Announcements

    

    Announcements Forum
• Select section Logical Path for Learning

  Logical Path for Learning

  • Select activity SMAW (Stick welding) first

    

    SMAW (Stick welding) first Page

    Stick welding may strike you as an antique process, but it offers easy entry on the ground floor.

  • Select activity Preserve stick electrodes with vacuum packaging

    

    Preserve stick electrodes with vacuum packaging Page

    Keep your stick electrodes fresh by protecting them from moisture and contaminants.

  • Select activity TIG electrode preparation

    

    TIG electrode preparation Page

    How do you select a tungsten electrode and prepare it for use?

• Select section Selecting a welding machine

  Selecting a welding machine

  • Select activity Introduction

    

    Introduction Page

    Develop your skill with a superior strategy for learning the art and craft of welding.

  • Select activity Criteria

    

    Criteria Page

    What factors dictate the selection of a welding machine?  List the criteria for learning how to weld the projects you desire and select the proper machine to support those criteria.

  • Select activity Water cooled torch vs standard

    

    Water cooled torch vs standard Page

    Examine the arguments for and against using a water cooled torch instead of the standard gas cooled one.

• Select section Investment

  Investment

  • Select activity Typical shopping list

    

    Typical shopping list Page
  • Select activity Cost Estimate

    

    Cost Estimate File PDF

    This is a basic cost estimate as of 2024 for basic welding setup.  Included is a bench top band saw for making accurate cuts in metal stock.  This satisfies the criteria of having minimal gaps in joints to ensure better welds.

  • Select activity PrimeWeld TIG225X Owner's Manual

    

    PrimeWeld TIG225X Owner's Manual Folder
  • Select activity More Advanced Setup

    

    More Advanced Setup Page

    Spending more money can expand the capabilities of the welder such that it would satisfy an advanced amateur or light professional.

  • Select activity More Advanced Cost Estimate

    

    More Advanced Cost Estimate File PDF

    This estimate shows a more advanced welding machine with a commercial water cooler.  It also features a cart for the welder and cooler, welding fixture table, band saw, and other various additions.  You can access the links in the pdf if you download it to your computer.

  • Select activity Manual or Microprocessor Controls

    

    Manual or Microprocessor Controls Page
• Select section Other Components

  Other Components

  • Select activity Fume extraction

    

    Fume extraction Page

    Welding generates particulates and gases that can harm your respiratory system.  Start right by building a fume extraction system.

  • Select activity Safety considerations

    

    Safety considerations Page

    No activity is worth it if it damages your health.  Working with metal presents unique hazards that must be handled safely.

  • Select activity Selecting a gas bottle size and refilling options

    

    Selecting a gas bottle size and refilling options Page

    You will need a bottle of compressed argon for the TIG process.

  • Select activity Gas regulators and reducing waste and cost

    

    Gas regulators and reducing waste and cost Page

    With rising prices of inert shielding gas, it makes sense to reduce gas waste by spending more on a high quality regulator and flow meter.

  • Select activity Tungsten Electrodes

    

    Tungsten Electrodes Page

    This critical component often receives little attention, and you need to understand it to master your craft.

• Select section Settings and Technique

  Settings and Technique

  • Select activity Back purging

    

    Back purging Page

    How and when do you need to protect the back side of a weld?

  • Select activity Torch Cup Size, Gas Flow, and Tungsten Stick-out

    

    Torch Cup Size, Gas Flow, and Tungsten Stick-out Page

    How you set these variables up will make a difference in your weld quality.

• Select section Potential Projects

  Potential Projects

  • Select activity Welding In Your Head

    

    Welding In Your Head Page

    Use your imagination to inspire greater skill.

  • Select activity Encouraging practice

    

    Encouraging practice Page

    Determine strategies for enhanced practice to become skillful at welding.

  • Select activity Scrap metal

    

    Scrap metal Page

    Why not turn junk into something useful and beautiful?  With a way to cut and weld metal, you could use your imagination to clean up your junk pile and create interesting yard art at the same time.

• Select section Fabrication

  Fabrication

  • Select activity Focus on Fabrication

    

    Focus on Fabrication Page

    Envision parts and constructions to fuel your desire to weld.

  • Select activity Hoop house rib extension

    

    Hoop house rib extension Page

    Extending the length of the square steel tubing for my hoop house workshop

  • Select activity Double Angle T Beam

    

    Double Angle T Beam Assignment

    Opened: Sunday, 4 August 2024, 12:00 AM

    Due: Sunday, 11 August 2024, 12:00 AM

    Create the basic T beam for the steel truss top and bottom rails.

  • Select activity Pipe Joints for Bicycle Frame

    

    Pipe Joints for Bicycle Frame Assignment

    Opened: Monday, 5 August 2024, 12:00 AM

    Due: Monday, 12 August 2024, 12:00 AM

    Weld simple joints in thin wall pipe that would be used in building a custom bike frame.

  • Select activity Sheet metal jigs for plasma cutting

    

    Sheet metal jigs for plasma cutting Page

    Make templates with thin sheet metal to cut repetitive and accurate shapes with a plasma cutter.