New Welder

[Highpower]

(02-17-2016, 08:55 PM)EdK Wrote: Yikes, this makes my brain hurt.  

Ed

Now aren't you glad you went and dun it?

[EdK]

(02-18-2016, 01:59 AM)Highpower Wrote: Now aren't you glad you went and dun it?  

That's a good question.

In the end, I'm sure it'll work out. It's the journey to that end that might be a bit painful, in more ways than one.

Ed

[arvidj]

(02-18-2016, 07:20 AM)EdK Wrote: In the end, I'm sure it'll work out. It's the journey to that end that might be a bit painful, in more ways than one.

Ed

No need to worry Ed. It's nothing that lots of money can't resolve 

[EdK]

Got the filler rods today, 10lbs.  

Ed

   

[Roadracer_Al]

(02-18-2016, 01:57 AM)Highpower Wrote: Welding supply places come and go around here too - OFTEN. I've dealt with some nice ones and I've had to deal with some real doozies. After awhile you know what they are going to say BEFORE they say it. Know their policies and be ready for them.  

I hear that. I always make it a point to do some small talk and get to know the guys behind the counter by name - I think it makes a difference, but maybe not.

My LWS seems to be impossible to special order stuff. I wanted to buy a new air-cooled torch & hoses for my rig, and the dood behind the counter keeps saying "ya, it'll be in stock on Monday, come back then." So I come back on Wednesday, and it's not not on the shelf and not in the back. I keep thinking "how many air cooled torches do they sell in a week?" I've been back to buy the torch twice after my initial visit. I'm seriously considering shopping online for it.

[Highpower]

The best (worst) one for me was when I walked into the Airgas store and wanted to buy a box of 4047 filler rods. Six different employees (including the manager) told me there was no such thing. Only 4043.

So I went back home and ordered it on-line. Guess where I found it?

[pepi]

Stores do that crap all the time, BS a paying customer right out the door .. Sell the stock, Yeah I understand, but they shoot themselves in the foot lying about product.  If it were me then I  become skeptical of anything they tell me. They very well could have asked you if they could order it for you ..

How close are you to firing up the machine? Seeing that other post have been made regarding the gas. I might as well put my 2 cents on the table.

I have 2 tanks one for the Mig, 80cf and the other 125cf for the Tig, purchased both of them. I find this to the best way myself. Buy the tank from the LWS you will use, then it is just a swap each time and less than 50 beans. You never need worry about the testing or paying for it, personally I would never buy one off ebuzz or CL

The first tank of gas plan on going through that quickly, maybe first 2 tanks. I remember thinking, crap the Tig is a gas hog and compared to the Mig it is. But you will have much better control as you learn. Below are some of the reason or how too's  for wasting gas. I am certain you will find other ways also.

1. The gas flow starts before the arc and runs a short time after lifting, it is a timed event once started. If you have not seen or heard the reason. You will want to  hold the torch over the weld until the gas stops. It is not cooling the weld it's holding contamination in check.

2   Most favorite one that gets me still from time to time, stepping on the foot peddle.
     a: moving it with your foot adjusting the welding position
     b: In position a quick final movement, with the foot on peddle, might be nothing more than a scoot... bingo gas flow...


3.   Start the arc and immediately realize you were not ready

4   Have the torch in hand step on the gas... and no filler rod in reach 

  My $0.02

Cheers,
Greg

[EdK]

(02-20-2016, 01:29 AM)pepi Wrote: How close are you to firing up the machine?

Not very close considering the machine hasn't arrived yet. And I need to source the gas. It'll be a while.

Ed

[Highpower]

(02-20-2016, 01:29 AM)pepi Wrote: Stores do that crap all the time, BS a paying customer right out the door .. Sell the stock, Yeah I understand, but they shoot themselves in the foot lying about product.  If it were me then I  become skeptical of anything they tell me. They very well could have asked you if they could order it for you ..

Cheers,
Greg

I honestly don't think they were trying to BS me. I believe they actually were clueless about filler metals in general. I had to tell THEM that it does exist, and how it is different from 4043 alloy. Just because they work in a welding supply company doesn't mean they know anything about doing the actual welding. A great portion of the car salespersons I've known didn't know which way to turn a wrench, much less FIX a car.

I finally convinced them to look it up on their own web site, and they looked like deer caught staring into headlights. They finally DID offer to put them on their regular stock order, and told me I could get them in two WEEKS. That is when I walked out the door and went back home, because I knew I could order them on-line and have them delivered to my house in two DAYS.

[EdK]

So I was ordering some hardware for a secret project from McMaster and decided to take the challenge presented by Tom. I bought a pair of the deer skin TIG welding gloves since they were quite inexpensive and having two pair of TIG gloves is probably not a bad idea.

OK Tom, you win. These things have a lot more feel than the Tigster gloves I got.They are much thinner and more flexible. Now if only I had a TIG welder.  

Ed