How to Set Up a TIG Welder for Steel: 7 Easy Steps for Beginners

TIG welding technique is indeed a complicated welding technique to learn. However, once you master the technique, you will end up creating flawless metal masterpieces.

You are learning the technique doesn't mean you will only learn how to operate a TIG welding machine; but also how to set up a TIG welding machine.

We know TIG welding is a versatile welding technique that can weld a wide range of metals. If you are a newcomer in this field, you need to learn and practice more to master the technique. For the learning purpose, start your welding project with welding Steel, and you might want to know how to set up a TIG welder for steel.

In this article, we will discuss how to set up a TIG welder for steel in 7 easy steps for the beginners.

Warning: 

The following instructions are for typical TIG welders. To ensure complete safety, read the Owner’s Manual of your TIG Welder for setting up and installation procedures.

7 Easy steps to set up a TIG welder

As I mentioned, TIG welding is a complicated technique to learn, thus needs proper concentration while setting up. So follow the steps carefully to set up the TIG welder:

1. Get prepared first

Before setting up the torch and the TIG welder for steel, you should have the TIG kit, a pair of welding gloves for TIG welding, an auto-darkening helmet, the TIG calculator, and a cleaning brush specific for steel.

2. Calculate torch parameters

Once you have all the equipment you require for assembling the TIG torch; now you need to know how to set up the torch (tungsten size and gas cup size) before you proceed for assembly. You have to take help from a TIG calculator to figure this out. You might download a TIG calculator from Google play store or Apple store.

TIG calculator is easy to use. Once you figure out your metal type (e.g.,Steel), thickness (e.g., 1/16"), and welding joint type (e.g., fillet), the calculator tell you the exact:

3. Assemble the torch

If you are using an air-cooled torch, use an adapter from the TIG kit and plug the torch into the front of your machine. But before that you have to assemble the torch first:

4. Assemble the torch

5. Opening the tank and setting the gas flow

Precautions:

6. Display instructions:

7. Set the work clamp

Setting TIG welder for Steel welding

These following points should be kept in mind while welding steel:

1. Tungsten

The tungsten should be ground to a long point with the taper length about 2-3 times the diameter of the tungsten. The long taper and sharp tip usually improves arc stability. Suppose you want a butt weld or open corner weld the stick out should be 5-6mm.

2. Gas shrouds

The number 7 gas shroud works well for general steel work. It's a rule of TIG welder that, the larger the shroud, the better the gas coverage. But the number 4 shroud is more suitable for fillet weld.

3. Shielding gas

Typically pure Argon gas is used as TIG shielding gas and is suitable for steel welding. And the shielding gas must be completely inert.

4. Polarity

Switch the polarity to DCEN because in TIG welding technique, the negative torch helps protect overheating the tungsten.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that we tried to make you understand the procedure of how to set up a TIG welder for steel in 7 easy steps. If you are a beginner and this is the first time you are setting up the equipment by yourself, make sure to get help from a professional.

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