Only now, do I appreciate the skill level I see in all those videos...

[Olivero]

Ah, I bought some of those when I got my hood

[H80N]

so a magnifying glass?

Like reading glass lenses that clip inside the helmet...... I wear a +2.25

Some people call them "CHEATERS"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-0-3-50-Diopter-Welding-Magnifier-Lens-Cheater-Lens-Welder-Helmet-Glass-/281656319636

[Olivero]

so a magnifying glass?

[davidmelley]

I put a 2.5 diopter sp? in my helmet and it made a world of difference watching the puddle.

[RobC]

Reading your Posts and looking at your Photos I see a good but dirty sink, a good but dirty dog, and an unhappy dog in that sink (expecting a bath).

If your dog advised you to buy a TIG Welder to modify the Sink then that's one smart dog - he expects a new toy for you to be a distraction and delay his bath.

A beautiful job will come after some practice.

You could have bought a kiddie pool or a plastic tub, but it won't be as much fun for either of you as a new Welder. I would advise against modifying that sink unless you're certain you can do it.

I can TIG, I know I wouldn't spend the time to alter the Sink if there were alternative choices - it doesn't look like it's his favorite sink.

[xryan]

I've seen sooooo many try and start TIG welding and make it WAY HARDER ON THEMSELVES than they need to. "I'm gonna buy myself a TIG welder and make aluminum intercoolers and intake manifolds from 0.062 wall tube..." (facepalm)

Start with easy stuff and learn the basics. Get some scrap 1/4" or more steel plate and learn to fuse, then add filler and run beads, then run more beads, then run more beads, until the plate is full on both sides. Then turn it 90 degrees and start over...

Then you work with thinner stuff, then start again with aluminum, then you start doing round steel, then aluminum, etc, etc. baby steps...learn how to control the puddle. I actually like to start people out on stainless plate because you can really see what happens with too much heat and read to colors. You can immediately see the difference with not enough gas, warpage, etc.

[ryanjones2150]

That is an awesome sink.

[Olivero]

Wow, guess I was wrong, haha. Take H80N's advice over mine any day, guys been doing it a lot longer than me

IF your dog asked me to buy a TIG welder, I would do it. Who could say no

[JoeGuitarBridges59]

You will probably never be sorry you started TIG welding. The sky's the limit

[H80N]

Great sink set......!!!.............

[lpmartin]

My little buddy is plenty tall enough, but can't understand strattling that web between two tubs. He's a head case. It's his fault I bought the tig welder.

[H80N]

Here is an article you might find useful
Welding austenitic stainless steel

Tips for optimal GTAW performance

http://www.thefabricator.com/article...tainless-steel

[lpmartin]

I have some linear brass blocks I plan on using when I eventually get around to the sink, no time soon. Not sure how to secure the backing blocks to the proposed weld site, but I'll worry about that when I'm ready to give it a go. Thank you all for the directions and summary of links. It's a great help. I'll pour over each of them.

[H80N]

Stainless is not the same as welding mild steel. You can't camp out on stainless and expect everything to go fine. If you're planning on welding that stainless tub, and you camp out with your tig torch, you will cook it and you will get all kinds of sugaring on the back side of your weld and that will make you sad. Long stainless welds will most likely require some sort of back shielding. If you don't know what these terms are, say so and we'll explain it to you. <br />
<br />
Stainless is one reason I started tig welding. There are differences to consider and we can help you with that.

YUP.....

Stainless will retain the heat.....it will try to warp & walk like a snake if you let it.....

overcooking will cause "Carbide Precipitation" in the HAZ..... and it will no longer be SS

[ryanjones2150]

Stainless is not the same as welding mild steel. You can't camp out on stainless and expect everything to go fine. If you're planning on welding that stainless tub, and you camp out with your tig torch, you will cook it and you will get all kinds of sugaring on the back side of your weld and that will make you sad. Long stainless welds will most likely require some sort of back shielding. If you don't know what these terms are, say so and we'll explain it to you. <br />
<br />
Stainless is one reason I started tig welding. There are differences to consider and we can help you with that.