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8th Dec 2020, 07:51 PM #1Most Valued Member
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First welds with the Metalmaster 215
Finally got some time to fire up my new welder.
Connected it all up.
Selected the factory preset for steel, left it at 25A for 1mm.
First test piece is my first TIG in 30 years.
Turns out the only real issue I had was I really need some different glasses. I was wondering why it all looked so strange, turns out I was sitting at least 12 inches closer than I can see. lol
That sorted onto my first tacks.
Then a weld.
Pretty happy with that.
Is there a thread in here on TIG welder trolleys? I'm going to need one of those.
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8th Dec 2020, 08:20 PM #2
Looking good for a new start, Stu!
Cheers
JoeCheers, Joe
retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....
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8th Dec 2020, 08:41 PM #3Most Valued Member
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Well done Stuart. I'd love to be at your level with tig!
Cant wait to see more..
Simon
Sent from my SM-G970F using TapatalkGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
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8th Dec 2020, 09:08 PM #4Philomath in training
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I have a set of high(er) magnification reading glasses from officeworks/ super market/ cheap as chips that I designate my welding glasses for just that reason...
Michael
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8th Dec 2020, 09:55 PM #5Most Valued Member
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Thank you gentlemen, just wait until you see me use filler
I'm not T2ing correctly, I just lift. You'd think having done so much MIG releasing the trigger would come naturally. (although I'm not sure there is a down slop on the defeat setting, something to check)
Thanks for reminding me. I have a 1.5 cheater lens but it doesn't fit either of my helmets, so I was just using my normal glasses, don't know their correction but it seems about the same as the 1.5. I think I have a set of the cheap +2 around here some place I will have a look see. I think I will need something more like +3. I guess I could dig out my magnifying visor and try out some different lens powers.
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9th Dec 2020, 07:19 AM #6Philomath in training
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I bought a cheater lens once but was not impressed with it. The field of view was not uniformly clear. For around the same price a cheap set of reading glasses does the job.
Michael
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9th Dec 2020, 09:44 PM #7Most Valued Member
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I found them!! a pair of +2.5. I can get down to about 11 inches, which should be good enough for starters.
The 1.5 cheater I have doesnt seem "to bad" but as you say, as you go higher it would help to have the lenses closer to your face.
Maybe both is the way to go? I'm going to be useless for most anything else with the +2.5 on. Perhaps a +1.5 cheater and my normal glasses would be an improvement.
Now to find the time to practice. I am limited to welding in the driveway ATM lol
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13th Dec 2020, 10:28 PM #8Diamond Member
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Looks good Stu, I have been following your new welder venture on the side as I have been in the same situation myself, just a bit further behind you. Like you I have chosen a Metalmaster 215, but my 2 boxes are sitting at Tullamarine as they have since Friday Wednesday is supposed to be the day, which is not so good as I will be away most of it. I may have to reorganise a more suitable delivery time.
I have struggled a bit over the years with my welding, partly because I probably don't do enough to keep current, also my old Arlec transformer welder is AC only, and that combined with an inadequate supply has me in strife with sticking rods a lot of the time. I have never tried Tig welding, but its more precise nature and suitability for thin workpieces has been tempting me for ages and I finally decided that if I was ever going to give it a go, it had better be now. Even Sco-Mo was offering assistance and encouragement, so I bit the bullet.
I doubt that I will get the chance to even plug it in before the new year with a fair bit happening even without the festive season. I also have decided to get a new welding helmet, as my old ones won't be making things any easier for my 70+yo eyes, and I have some questions which I will ask in the thread that Grahame Collins has started on that very subject. I have yet to decide on a gas supplier, am thinking Bunnings atm, because I believe that I can get my money back by returning the bottle and not sure other suppliers do that. Who did you go with Stu, you most likely have far more choice than I do, I have 2 that I am aware of +BOC, but I am yet to fully research that. Anyway lots t look forward to, and lots and lots to learn in my case.
Finally for the benefit of anyone looking to get welding gear, TokenTools gets a good report on the forum here, I have never seen any negative reports and I can only say that my experience has also been good. Peter from TT advising of stuff I would most likely not need in the near future, where I simply did not have the experience to know. I found his advice most helpful, and he even fitted a flex head free of charge, so its a thumbs up for TokenTools from me
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14th Dec 2020, 10:28 PM #9Most Valued Member
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Welcome to the club lol.
As I recall the Arlec welders only had a switch for current control? I never used one. I was ok with stick but am interested to see what I'm like with an inverter stick, I'm told its much easier.
I own a gasweld cylinder for my non functioning MIG(though it may be possible to swap it for argon)
I currently have a Bunnings cylinder for the TIG. D size bottle as the local store doesn't carry E size, so the gas costs about 30% more. If I use much I may make a change(or perhaps they will stock it locally). A big plus for Bunnings is they are open long hours 7 days. BOC is an option but only if I have to.
Damn I didn't give Peter the chance to give me free stuff lol I had meant to give him a call about this and that but it had already taken me so long I just ticked options on the web site and sent him some money. I only dealt with Peter v email but things went so smoothly there wasn't even much of that.
I know what you mean about getting time. I'm yet to do any more welding than you see above
Re helmets I have a Miller and a cheapie. The Miller looks way cooler with flaming skull stickers and a big window, it also has replaceable batteries. The cheapie I hacked to be able to change the batteries. 15 years on they are both still working and I don't care which one I pick up.
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15th Dec 2020, 08:01 PM #10Most Valued Member
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New glasses on the way matched to a 1.5+ lens in the helmet to give me minimum focus distance of about 10" while welding and pretty much reading glasses without helmet. Fingers crossed.
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10th Jan 2021, 05:23 PM #11Most Valued Member
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Cheater lens in and new glasses on.
Welding up some 30 x 2mm SHS
Started out at 50A, It was way to low so kept cranking it up until I got to 140A, then noticed the current control on the hand piece was set on 2. No job is so simple that some fool cant screw it up . That fixed and back down to 70A.
This little filler rod feeder doohickey is fantastic! Maybe the thinner gloves has something to do with it. Thanks to who ever it was that put me onto them, cant find the post.
Likely needed to clean the gal back a little further.
I'm using the 2.5mm tungsten ATM for no other reason than that's the one I picked up first. I've only ever used 3.2mm before. How does one know when I've reached the max current on 2.5mm?
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10th Jan 2021, 07:04 PM #12Philomath in training
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try this
TIGBook_Chpt4.pdf
Michael
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11th Jan 2021, 06:00 PM #13
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11th Jan 2021, 06:20 PM #14
This is also a good resource:
CK-worldwide Form 116 Technical Guide.pdf
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11th Jan 2021, 10:41 PM #15Most Valued Member
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