Beginner Tips and Tricks
Simple, field-tested techniques designed to help welders achieve better results and avoid common mistakes.
Prep Work is Essential
Clean and prepare your metal as best you can. It will make for a much neater finish.
Grind First
Grind before you weld, not after. It’s all about taking the time to prep your work. It makes a huge difference.
Keep Cables from Tangling
You can keep your ground clamp from snagging on other cables in your shop by threading a zip tie through the clamp. The zip tie is secured with tape.
Make Sure There is No Interference
Determine the start and stop points for smaller projects. Then, before you weld, figure out the travel direction and torch/hand placement. What you’re doing is simulating the motion without pulling the trigger to make sure there are no interferences with whip catching, and you are comfortable as you hold the torch.
Thinner Means Closer Tacks
When tacking a joint of sheet metal together with TIG (14 gauge and thinner), make sure to keep your tacks close together. The thinner the material, the closer the tacks.
Test Before you Finish
Weld a test piece, if possible, prior to your finish weld. This will allow you to see whether your settings are correct prior to potentially ruining an expensive piece or creating additional work. The test can be conducted using extra material.