Pulsed TIG tips or "tricks"? Anyone?

[davedarragh]

Sync 200

davedarragh,

Thanks for your comments on the Sync 200. I have never welded with one. I had a couple of Dynasty 200DX's and a D300DX when I owned my businesses. Unfortunately, my ex scored all my tools, welding equipment (around 250K) in the divorce. I miss my BB Air Pak more than anything. I've been welding for myself for nearly 20 years and for machine shops 10 years prior to that. I don't do much OA: Some CCW/CW rod/torch manipulation for the fun of it. I welded 6G 6010 root, fill, and pass on 1-2" API5Lxxx for natural gas line for a few years along the way. I also spen t much time with heavy equipment repair using stick except where hardfacing and/or dual shield was required. SMAW is my first love, then GTAW! GMAW only when required-preferably 3G.

The Sync 200 is a field test loaner to get me back on my feet until I can re-purchase in the Dynasty series. I have spent a few hundred hours on a Sync 250DX, but most of my time is on one of the first digital Dynasty 300DX units. Miller released it as the successor to the Analog dialed Dynasty.

Thanks,

HAWK

Hey HAWK: Sorry to hear of your domestic mis-fortunes. I think many of us have "been there, done that."

I know your not a "home hobbiest" or a beginner, I just mentioned that as FYI to the "listening audience."

Was wondering where you dis-appeared to, always enjoyed your posts.

If you haven't already, download a copy of the manual; there are some "hidden menu" features (eg.) changing factory defaults, etc., that you may need.

Only thing I did was replace the leads with 25' #1's, a short stub stinger and a decent 500 amp work clamp.

Duty cycle's only 40% @ 150 amps, but by then we need a coffee break anyway.

They're a solid little machine. The flow-through Dinse is nice (I put a 25' rubber hose on my torch), and it comes with a 25' pedal.

When the fan comes on, you'll know it, but it's not annoying.

2% Ceriated (orange) works reall well on both steel and aluminum, or if you prefer Thoriated (red) for steel. I think Sundown likes 1% Ceriated (light blue) for both on his 250.

As I stated, 7018's run great, a little weak on the 6010's, but 6011's okay. Maybe my TB has spoiled me on the 6010's.

Other than that, enjoy!

David

[HAWK]

Thanks for the info...

Dave,

Thanks for the info buddy. I will check the menus as you suggested. Yea i had to leave the forum and other places for a while. I am about to get back on my feet. Hope to see you guys around for a while.

HAWK

[SundownIII]

Hey Hawk,

Just be aware that you're not the only one that's been thru the big "D".

Heck, I was married for 26 years, mostly while I was in the military. Traveled a lot (generally at lest a third of every year) so we each became quite "independent". Once I retired and was home more, we found that we really didn't have that much in common anymore. Even got the T-Shirt to prove it. Don't even want to think about how much that cost me. She still gets a sizable chunk of my military retirement. Oh well, she's always been a great mom to the kids.

Sounds like the ex got some nice equipment. Does she weld, or just didn't want you to be able to?

Hawk. I agree with Dave. You'll really like the Sync 200. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dynasty 200 but the Sync is the standby "horse". Even if I get a Dynasty 350 at some point in the future, I don't think I'd get rid of the Sync. Shop just wouldn't be the same without on. The Sync 250 DX Tigrunner I have now is my third one. Bought the first in 1977. Before that it was the 330 A B/P. The Sync I have now is the first with the pulser option. Never used pulse before. Then I started doing some work with a buddy who had a Dynasty 300. Spoiled me. Upgraded the Sync so I could easily add the pulser option. The buddy with the Dynasty 300 bought my 86 Sync 250 and still uses it as his shop machine and as a backup to the Dynasty.

Dave. You've been keeping a real low profile. Must mean you've been on the road alot. Appreciate the comments, but don't sell yourself short. There are a lot of guys on here that are, I'm sure better tiggers than I am. Guess if you do something long enough, even an "idiot" (another poster's assessment) learns what works and what doesn't. I have tried to stay up with the technology changes so I can at least keep up with the "young guns". Also had the good fortune to be mentored by some of the best in the business.

[dondlhmn]

Sundown is right, although he says that I have been taking TIG classes for a year. I wish that were true as I would probably be way ahead of where I am now. I have taken ONE TIG class, but it was a while back....sometime in the last year, I guess...so maybe that "technically" constitutes having been exposed to TIG for a year. I don't know where he gets the idea (another WRONG assumption, I guess) that I have ever taken more than one TIG class and I have NO IDEA why he seems so delighted to tell everyone that I am a "toddler" when it comes to TIG. Just stating the obvious, I guess. Sundown is VERY PERCEPTIVE, however...one can not be other than a "toddler" having taken one class, but then he seems pretty good at stating the obvious and he seems to forget that we all have to start somewhere...unless maybe he was BORN knowing how to TIG weld. The rest of us aren't so fortunate and have to ask for help, read a bunch, try stuff and learn that way. To get to be more than a "toddler", one has to ask questions, which sometimes may appear to be dumb to folks like sundown and others who are knowledgeable on the subject and then have the time to spend a bunch of time DOING IT. I know that sometimes I have had to remind myself that I wasn't born knowing all that I know in my own field of expertise. I had to try to be patient and help along the newbies for most of my working life, but it was usually enjoyable and quite rewarding to see them learn, make progress and become better and safer at it.

Sorry to disappoint you, Sundown, but I have only had a tiny little bit of education in the art of TIG welding and will most likely be a TIG toddler until the day I die. I can produce some welds that non-TIG folks look at and pronounce them beautiful, but I know better. Some of them look horrible to me and maybe "OK" at best, but not anywhere near what I know a real TIG artist can do. There are just so many other things to occupy myself with....too many things to read, do, people to spend time with, places to go & etc., even though I often wish I could do nothing but weld. I would like to spend a lot more time under the hood in order to get better, but, unfortunately, time is limited for me and I have to maximize that time by asking LOTS of questions and trying to cover LOTS of ground whenever I do have some time to practice and learn welding. Maybe one day I, too, will be almost as good as sundown apparently is, but I am NOT holding my breath over that. And I say "apparently", but there have been some others in this forum that vouched for him, so maybe he really is good. Hey, something is on the computer or on TV it just HAS TO BE TRUE, right?

Again, I do thank all of you that have provided tips and ideas to apply to TIG. Unfortunately, I have not had time to apply or explore them all.

PS...there is NO Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, Pakistanese or Korean JUNK in MY garage other than a few clamps and the odd knock-off set of vise grips that have snuck in there......unless my Miller, Lincoln, Atlas, Clausing and old Victor stuff was made there. And I don't think any of it was, but maybe some of models and parts of those brands are made there now.

[davedarragh]

Hey Hawk,

Dave. You've been keeping a real low profile. Must mean you've been on the road alot. Appreciate the comments, but don't sell yourself short. There are a lot of guys on here that are, I'm sure better tiggers than I am. Guess if you do something long enough, even an "idiot" (another poster's assessment) learns what works and what doesn't. I have tried to stay up with the technology changes so I can at least keep up with the "young guns". Also had the good fortune to be mentored by some of the best in the business.

Yeah, been busy, and on my days off been playing ice hockey with the PD/FD guys in the Metro Area, and whatever College kids show up. Been a great stress reliever (LOL), but they're kicking this ol' man's rear! Had a lot of other things going on with my grown kids, so, just sitting back reflecting, as it were, on life's trials and tribulations.

Thanks, David

[TxDarth]

Well I am another noobe just learning to Tig, I have been using gas and Mig for a while but only for home hobby use. I am also an old dog - 69 next month and retired but I still like to tinker.

I went with a new Syncro 200 over the Diversion series just so I could grow a little.
I also signed up for a Tig class at the local JC - not 'til June tho so in the mean time I am just dangerous, trying to practice and hopefully not develop any bad habits. I have already received some good advice from the forum here - like turning off the pulse until I learn to lay a bead. This one piece of advice made a big difference. I still think overall I use too many amps, been in the 100-150 range, work all looks grey to black. It will polish to shinny metal with a wire brush. I have been just trying to puddle metal on 1/8 inch stock, once in a while I will add filler if I feel brave and limiting my sessions to an hour or so.

So I for one appreciate the advice I have received here for all the pros - Thank You! to all for your help!

rt

[Hardrockshot]

Thanks

To all you "old" guys! Please remember I need and want your help. When I ask a stupid question, tell me. If I am ever rude, kick me, real hard. If I am thin skinned, too bad, your trying to help me become a better welder. I do not weld for a living. Welding is something I do for enjoyment. I have no desire to weld for a living, I don't want to be away from the family that long. Been there done that. Please remember some of us really enjoy reading the great advise.

[HAWK]

I hope I have not spoken out of line. Correct guys if I have...

To all you "old" guys! Please remember I need and want your help. When I ask a stupid question, tell me. If I am ever rude, kick me, real hard. If I am thin skinned, too bad, your trying to help me become a better welder. I do not weld for a living. Welding is something I do for enjoyment. I have no desire to weld for a living, I don't want to be away from the family that long. Been there done that. Please remember some of us really enjoy reading the great advise.

You (as are the Don and the others that don't weld for a living, etc) are straight with me, Sundown111, Dave and the rest I am sure. It is just that Sundown111 and I have spent years dancing this dance and getting hit by the "school of hard knocks" when it hurts the most. It is sometimes aggravating when we see so many newer welders wanting a spoon feed rather than do some research first. Maybe you guys have done the research and we are assume you have not. maybe we just had a bad day or lost a big contract or a huge chunk of change. Ever lose 175K over the weekend. I don't care who you are or where you are-it will put you in a bad mood.


Guys: We (the older and experienced-or the exceptionally skilled and talented)
To quote sundown111: "will not stand pissing on your boots and tell you it is raining" This quote is certainly out of context from where sundown111 used it. oh well. We will help you learn and give correct advice to the best of our abilities. maybe we all lost something these last few days and have been in a mood. I apologize-I am sure others feel the same.

By the way: take a look back and search for posts by KB Fabrication. Kevin is a friend of mine and probably one of the 3 best GTAW welders I know. Engloid is another one of those exceptional talented TIG guys. I must give credit where credit is due. Andy is a fantastic Tigger. We all know sundown111 is among the best of the best. Me? I can hold my own with my peers-I think

HAWK

[LarryO]

Here is a link to a thread on another forum about pulsing.
Some good reading.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php...t=show+welders