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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Default TIG Shopping List

    Hi strangers,

    I'm setting up my little inverter welder for TIG and wanted to be sure I'm making the right purchases,

    My welder is a Jasic Arc Champ 170: https://weldgina.com/?product=jasic-arc-170
    Which as far as I can tell is just a pre-branded UniMig https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W164

    I plan on buying this TIG torch from eBay: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Unimig-1...5b4c%7Ciid%3A1

    and this accessory kit: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/49X-TIG-....c100005.m1851

    My welders lead connectors are 12mm diameter which I believe is an 35/50 fitting.


    I bought an Argon regulator from Total Tools yesterday and I'll probably get the gas from them or Bunnings, the only other thing I think I might need is an extended gas hose to reach from the torch coupling up to the regulator.

    Hopefully I'm on the right track.

    Cheers,

    Ben

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    A Unimig is a rebranded Jasic machine. Jasic is just another Chinese welding equipment manufacturer.

    That 17 series torch will work for you.

    You will need to add some tungstens to your shopping list.
    I like the red tip thoriated if you are welding steel using DC.
    Gear up for 1.6 and 2.4 consumables.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Ballina, NSW
    Posts
    900

    Default

    While there's nothing wrong with the kit, I find that I would use the following about 95% of the time (I'm typically welding 1.2 - 6mm in mild steel or aluminium):
    2.4mm tungsten (and hence the that size collets, etc.)
    2% lanthanated tungstens, which are good for welding everything (there's some fancier ones out as well, but haven't used them).
    #7 gas lens
    All the other bits and pieces sit around and get used rarely.
    Get a good auto darkening helmet - you'll be spending a few hundred for a reasonable one. I've had this one for years: https://www.totaltools.com.au/148219...et-mojo-k36164, but seem to remember picking it up at half price - maybe they come on sale regularly?
    Get a wire brush or two.
    Grinder and at least a few flap disks, cutting and grinding disks.
    Acetone for cleaning
    Also think about how you're going to sharpen your electrodes, you'll be doing a lot of it to start with. Also, don't use you gas lenses until you have a bit of practice. If you keep dipping your tungsten or muffing it generally, you will find that all the crap will end up in your gas lens gauze. Wait till you're better so you don't wreck the gas lenses.
    Cheers
    Mick

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Thumbs up

    Thanks Mick,

    Maybe I won't bother with the kit and buy consumables locally when required.

    I was going to buy 1.6 tungsten, would they be too limiting? I'll mostly be welding thin SS sheet and RHS/SHS ≤ 3mm with occasional heavier projects in the future.

    I have a lower end Lincoln Viking auto darkening helmet, paid about $160, I'll check the specs but I think it'll be OK for TIG.

    Angle grinder with separate cutting/grinding discs for stainless and mild steel already covered.

    I also already have a silly carbide wheel for my bench grinder for sharpening lathe tools that I no longer use since switching to insert tooling.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Default

    I've ordered the torch and a pack of lanthanated 2.4mm tungsten electrodes, the rest I'll source locally.

    Where do you blokes get your filler rod from?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Melb, Vic
    Posts
    12

    Default

    eBay (Australia onshore only) - so far quality has been acceptable and price is great.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Good choice on the 2.4mm Lanthinated.

    Which brings me to a question, given tungstens get sharpened to a point, why would you ever need 1.6mm?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    Good choice on the 2.4mm Lanthinated.

    Which brings me to a question, given tungstens get sharpened to a point, why would you ever need 1.6mm?
    You can point them, but you can get better current carrying and less likelihood of the point splitting off but having a truncated point. Included angle you grind to also has a part to play in the penetration profile and arc focus (higher angles give a narrower, deeper penetrating arc)

    The idea is to use the correct sized tungsten for the job. Using a 3.2mm on a job at 60A won't do you any favours. So for some jobs, a 1.6mm is very much a necessity.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Those gas lens kits are well, to keep it family friendly, poo!
    If you want one I’ll send you the one I bought for postage cost. It doesn’t flow gas properly. Much disappointment when I put it on and attempted to use it, so much in fact that I ordered a name brand one from the US almost immediately after trying the Chinese one. Night and day difference.

    I was buying consumables like filler locally from SupaGas but they have stopped retailing now, and I refuse to deal with BOC. The last couple of tubes have come from Hampdon through eBay, I ordered 5kg of 2.4mm ER70 filler earlier today for $60 shipped.

    Mick is on the money, the only thing I differ in opinion on is flapper discs, I prefer resin fibre discs, last longer and cost less. Bunnings sell the flexovit and norton ones for under $3 ea for a 5” grinder (you will need to spend around $20 on a one off purchase of a backer).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Commander_Keen View Post
    Using a 3.2mm on a job at 60A won't do you any favours. So for some jobs, a 1.6mm is very much a necessity.
    Still don't quite get this - you can create the same included angle with a 3.2mm electrode as a 1.6mm. By the time the electrons get to the point and leap off, do they care or remember how thick the rod was to start with?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    But why would you bother with all that extra tungsten grinding when a smaller diameter one would work all the same? Copping a lungfull of thoriated tungsten is not my idea of a life well spent.

    You'll get more arc wandering on an oversized tungsten.
    Also get more difficulty with arc starts. Perhaps even arcing in an area you were not wanting, and marring the job (defect).
    In a production environment probably a bigger concern, but by all means, you shed, your rules.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Bungama SA
    Age
    52
    Posts
    960

    Default

    when you get your torch get the longest lead available, for me 4m would be to short if your just welding seated at a bench shorter lead is ok but start working on cars or larger things it'll soon annoy you.

    I'd agree with the others 1.6 electrode for finer work up to 100amps 2.4 would take your machine at max setting, 2% lanthanated is my preferred

    Online Hampdons on ebay are pretty good to deal with great range to.

    Mate you've gotten yourself on a slippery slope buying a TIG
    ....................................................................

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
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    633

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Harry72 View Post
    when you get your torch get the longest lead available, for me 4m would be to short if your just welding seated at a bench shorter lead is ok but start working on cars or larger things it'll soon annoy you.

    I'd agree with the others 1.6 electrode for finer work up to 100amps 2.4 would take your machine at max setting, 2% lanthanated is my preferred

    Online Hampdons on ebay are pretty good to deal with great range to.

    Mate you've gotten yourself on a slippery slope buying a TIG
    Oops, too late I bought the 4 metre leads, it's a small inverter welder so it isn't too bad to drag around.

    Looks like I'll be getting some 1.6mm lanthanated electrodes, I think most of my work will be light gauge steel with occasional root runs on heavier gauge, I do have some titanium that needs to be welded so that should be fun.

    I'll check out Hampdons.

    Cheers

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Default

    I was perusing Blackwoods webpage tonight and found 5kg 2.5mm filler wire with an R45 classification, would this be a good general purpose TIG filler? the price seems good @ $36.65.

    https://www.blackwoods.com.au/weldin...4mm/p/03347019

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    s.w. sydney
    Posts
    53

    Default

    i always use a flexi head on the torch, a cheapie for about $40 gets the job done.
    i didn,t see a flow meter in the list, probably in there somewhere.
    i always use 2.4 tungstens , and is common practice in industry.

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