Intro TIG: Precision Welding

Welding with TIG is a lot like driving a Ferrari: it’s precise, powerful, and difficult to do really well (except I haven’t driven a Ferrari). It requires the use of both hands and one foot and expensive machines. But it’s worth it. With TIG you can make beautiful welds on steel, stainless, aluminum, chromoly, bronze, copper, titanium, magnesium–you get the idea. You can even weld dissimilar metals. And you can do it all with tiny little welds that look so pretty you won’t ever want to grind away a MIG weld again. Plus, if you can TIG weld, it’s a pretty damn good life merit badge.

TIG uses electricity to melt the metal.  You generally hold the torch with the right hand, add filler metal with the left, and use a foot pedal to control the amperage (heat) as you go.  TIG allows you to adjust the temperature and filler deposition rate as you weld so it allows you to make much more precise welds.  They’ll generally be stronger and prettier than MIG and you can weld more exotic materials.  But it’s way harder and slower to do.

This class also comes with an open shop session for 4 hours to continue practicing your technique and a pair of TIG welding gloves.

Prerequisites: No experience or prerequisites required but taking Intro MIG or Oxyacetylene beforehand is recommended.  14 or older, with those under 18 signing up with a parent or guardian (and reserving and paying for two spots).

Standard Clothing: You will be required to wear long sleeves and long pants, both made of 100% cotton or wool, and all leather or canvas shoes (Vans, Converse, work boots, cowboy boots all good; ballet flats, clogs, running shoes, all bad).  No synthetic melty stuff.  Please bring reading glasses and something to tie your hair back if you need either.  For this class, it helps to have shoes that are lighter than work boots since the foot pedal is like the gas pedal in a car.