TIG welding equipment.

Introduction.

Tungsten Inert Gas welding, or TIG welding as it is more commonly known, uses Tungsten electrodes to produce the weld. TIG welding is also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), as the area being welded is protected by an inert gas like Argon. The most common use for TIG welding is with thin stainless steel sheets as well as light alloys of Copper, Aluminum and even Magnesium. All of these materials can be obtained from a reputable sheet metal equipment supplier.

TIG welding equipment.

There are four elements to the equipment required for TIG welding: a torch, electrodes, a power supply and the shielding (inert) gas. TIG welding is most commonly associated with manual welding and so the torch is equipped with either an air or water cooling system. A low current TIG welding torch can use an air cooling system whereas higher current ones, up to 600 amps, need water cooling. The power supply to a TIG welding torch must be a constant power source, in order to maintain a constant heat and thereby a constant weld. TIG welding equipment power sources can be direct or alternating current. Most DIY, home enthusiast, welders will be working with thin stainless steel and should purchase a direct current power supply. The alternating current ones are only really needed for working with aluminum and Magnesium alloys. Tungsten electrodes, with their very high melting point, are not consumed in the welding process. The electrodes can be cleaned but periodically will need replacing. Argon is by far the most common gas used in TIG welding, although Helium can be used alternatively.

MIG welding.

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is also referred to as MIG and even MIG TIG welding, where MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas welding. The process for MIG welding is the same as for TIG welding. Only MIG welding uses a wire electrode that is consumed during the welding process. Any store selling TIG welding equipment will also be able to supply you with MIG welding equipment and advise you about welding safety.