TIG Welding

TIG Welding is also a slang term commonly used for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or “GTAW". TIG welding also goes by the term HeliArc welding. TIG welding is the most difficult of the processes to learn, and is the most versatile when it comes to different metals. This process is slow but when done right it produces the highest quality weld! TIG welding is mostly used for critical weld joints, welding metals other than common steel, and where precise, small welds are needed.

TIG welders have six main components:
1.A constant amperage power source (many times a Stick welding power supply).
2.A ground lead or clamp.
3.A welding lead or TIG Torch.
4.A non-consumable Tungsten electrode to produce the arc (the Tungsten electrode does not add to the weld joint).
5.Shielding gas to protect the weld area from the air (typically pure Argon gas).
6.The filler wire to add to the weld joint with the other hand.

TIG welding equipment varies greatly in the sense of bells and whistles. The simplest TIG welders are a Stick welder power supply with a TIG torch attached to the welding lead, and the other hose is attaches to a bottle of Argon gas. This is how the largest defense contractors and engineering companies set-up there TIG welders for pipe. The way this process works is simple. First the ground clamp is attached to the metal to be welded, a Tungsten electrode is inserted into the TIG torch, the Argon gas is turned on and now the torch is feeding Argon gas through the torch, the power supply is turned on, and now all it takes is a scratch of the Tungsten to strike an arc. Once the arc strikes the Tungsten just produces an arc and starts to melt the metal, after that you simple add filler wire to the joint with the other hand.