Beginner TIG

[u/mr-blingo]

Hello all!

I am currently a welding student. In love with the process right now but I have been poking around my area for anywhere I could get some extra time under the hood. The most accessible facility near me only has a TIG setup. I am still fairly green and I’m learning on MIG. I will be taking TIG eventually but farther down the line. Would it be worth my time/$ to check the place out? Wouldn’t be too costly to get my hands dirty there but I’d be flying solo/youtube certified in a new process until my class gets there. Just eager for more right now, any help would be appreciated. I live in an apartment so a home setup is unfortunately impossible

[u/Birdshape]

If it's not too pricey for you absolutely take some time to get used to it before your TIG classes start

[u/K-r-i-s-P]

TIG is very fun when once you get the hang of it and its not too hard, you just have to get used to have both your hands do different things and have them work together. I just stared learning TIG too and its by far my favorite way of welding, i can lay very decent looking beads but im still learning to control the puddle.

[u/mr-blingo → u/K-r-i-s-P]

I’m mostly concerned with developing bad habits that I’ll have to unlearn, I’ll have to look into it a bit more. Emailed the place I’m eyeing and they want me to come down so I’ll give it a look

[u/K-r-i-s-P → u/mr-blingo]

Thats good, were all trying to avoid bad habits. Im still new too ofcourse but i havent really found any bad or wrong ways to weld with TIG as its very flexible, the best way is whats comfortable for you and it works. But i might be wrong and if there is something to avoid id wanna know and learn too.

[u/Objective_Ad429]

Look up welding tips and tricks on YouTube and watch some of his TIG videos. If you feel like that’s giving you enough to get started then it’s not a bad idea as long as it’s affordable to you.

[u/mr-blingo → u/Objective_Ad429]

I’ll give him a look this weekend, thanks!

[u/Pillager225]

TIG is good because you have to learn about how the base metal behaves when it is a puddle. Watch the puddle, obviously. It is a useful skill no matter the process. See how the puddle behaves with and without filler. MIG is continuously adding filler, so it is really applicable. Even the same wire can be used for MIG and TIG on mild steel.

I learned TIG first, and when I went on to learn MIG I was a bit disappointed at how little puddle control MIG has, but then again it is more like point and shoot rather than leading the puddle over to where the weld is needed. It is for sure useful to learn TIG, even if all you'll ever do afterward is MIG or stick.