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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Adelaide
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    21

    Default TIG for heating and bending metal?

    Hi. I've seen a couple of videos in which the operator uses TIG to heat and bend metal. My question is whether this is a practical application for TIG - i.e. are TIG machines designed / suitable for this type of work? Whilst TIG might be capable of such work, I was wondering whether it would place stress on the unit or what other limitations / wear and tear / concerns might be. I know oxy would be preferred but do wonder if TIG might offer opportunities for some simple heat and bend work. cheers

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    1,322

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    I've thought about using TIG to heat up stuck bolts with the idea that the expansion then contraction as it cools would help it break loose, but hadn't thought about using it to heat in order to bend...

    I'm sure it'd do no harm to the welder, the only thing that comes to mind is that the torch would have to be held very close to the work in order to maintain an arc, and the area heated would be quite concentrated. But apart from that, I can't see why it wouldn't work for some applications.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
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    Lismore Northern NSW
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    50
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    81

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    I can't see that the machine would care whether you are just heating vs welding (which is just more heating). The machines all have self protection for overheating and short circuit. Because the heating is quite focal you would need to be easy on the peddle or keep moving to avoid outright melting though.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    Thanks! I was wondering if it was akin to using a screw driver as a chisel

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Perth
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    168

    Default

    Have used a TIG to heat up copper pipe enough to melt phos copper into joints when didnt have access to oxy. Not the neatest but it worked.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
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    Default

    Rusty i done this video 3-4 years ago with my repco/mechpro dc tig to remove some snapped head bolts these bolts on outboards will generally be the worse seized bolts you'll see, just looking at them they snap

    https://youtu.be/ASHyr6L64-Y

    You could bend the steel using the tig but its a quiet expensive way to go about it argon is not cheap and buying the tig machine plus bottle u could buy a machine designed for cold bending, i have heated quiet a few snapped bolts and found with M6 bolt size u next next to nothing in amps you'll also only be able to heat so much material and oxy has a broader flame than a tig arc so it covers more area quickly the oxy u can use a tip for heating as not to melt the material if u try up the amps to put heat in with the tig u will likely reuin the part from the molten pool from the tig it may work if u go less amps and soak it and slowly bring up the temp but duty cycle will cost u

    Just my experience and experimenting i know next to nothing but i love tig welding!

    If u do buy a tig machine dont buy one like in my video the scratch start is a pisser i ruined one engine block due to the scratch start jumping and arcing on the aluminium and cratering it, buy a machine which helps with arc innitilisation or has high frequency its a world of difference to scratch start

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    6,540

    Default

    If you have a scratch start TIG, get yourself a small copper block to do your starts on.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
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    586

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    Tungsten grind affects arc shape to some degree. 60 degree inclusive angle will give a deep penetrating arc, but all hope is lost when you start scratch starting with it.
    I'd get a MAPP torch before I wasted the argon TBH. Get you to around 2000 celsius.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    Sydney, NSW, Australia
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    One option u could also consider is making a furnace either one opening or two if u want to make a bend mid way on long pieces be a lot cheaper using LPG than Argon

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Revesby - Sydney Australia
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    56
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    1,183

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
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    Now we're talking!

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