That is some very nice tig welding for someone that is just starting out. I think you are being too modest.

Just a correction, TIG welding should always be with pure argon...not a mix. Nice nice work....exellent penetration, and consistency...you have a steady hand.

Did you back gas those SS welds?

 

generally, UHP argon gas will suffice.

for high speed robotic welding and welding of thick guage material that requires full penetration, helium mixes will provide a "hotter arc" due to the higher ionization potential. Ar/He mixes is routinely used for welding of ultra high vacuum components where leak free welds are crucial.

 

You are correct. I was mostly refering to hand tig welding in a shop environment.

The thickest materials most auto fab shops will weld, is less than 1/4 inch think, and commonly much much thinner.

 

 

I've asked about the He/Ar mixes in the past and didn't get much positive response from the local welding/gas shop. I have been thinking about getting a second tank though and getting a mix might be a good option. I have also heard that the He/Ar mix works well on aluminum? Slowcar, what kind of mix percentage would you suggest for the schedule 10/40 manifolds?

Sorry if I mislead some with some of my wording, this is not my first fabrication project. I have done a few different things in the past. It had all been with a MIG welder though. This is the second manifold I have built, just the first with a TIG and a good bandsaw. My first manifold was pretty discouraging, as I had a $150 bandsaw that would take about 10 minutes to cut through a 1.5" pipe and MIG wleding SS is no fun as it likes to spatter.

Previous to this, I had done one full turboback exhaust and a few small projects with the TIG and current tools. I also practiced for probably 20-25 hours on some stainless tubing before I ever laid a bead on any real parts.

Some have told me aluminum welds a lot different then stainless, but with this inverter, it is VERY similar...to me anyway. I swear the machine welds on its own. It's a lot louder on AC, but you can sharpen the tungsten to a point and with the frequency up around 120Hz with 25% EP, this thing has no problems getting a good clean tight weld on aluminum.

As for the steady hand, I wish that were the case. I actually work my hand in very small circles. I find it easier to move in a very small and repetitive path then to try and move slowly in one direction at a constant speed. I'm pretty shaky, particularly if I don't brace myself well against something. But I have gotten a lot more stable since I started TIG welding.

Thanks for the advice and the praise for doing my own work!

 

work looks good, i would gladly buy one of your manifolds and test it to see if it made power on the stock turbo

 

nicely done. awsome.

 

you can buy gases premixed - 25Ar/75He, 50/50, 75/25

a 50/50 works great and you make up the diff of what you need with arc current - the price of helium is going up...the only source of it is gas wells

you will hear it when you weld aluminum right...sounds like frying bacon

very likely you are using thoriated electrodes...becareful when you grind and where the dust goes, its radioactive

 

For most welds you have no way to removed the solar flux because you can't get access. I have made many turbo headers and have never had a problem.

 

for your manifold you should do at least 2 passes.....
but looks good none the less....