TIG setup for 20 gauge mild steel?

[N Stewart]

--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mike Graham | Fighting the good fight against porosity,
<http://www.metalmangler.com>| try to correct the spelling of 'weldor'.

I have some previous TIG welding experience with 1/8" + material. I am now moving to 20ga sheet metal for some auto body work. Here's my question:
Would it work to weld 20 ga steel with .040 tungsten and a #4 cup? My thought is a small controlled area would be easier to work withing than a 1/16 tungsten and a 3/4" + Furick cup.
All experienced responses are appreciated.

[Snag]

Post by N Stewart

--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mike Graham | Fighting the good fight against porosity,
<http://www.metalmangler.com>| try to correct the spelling of 'weldor'.

Would it work to weld 20 ga steel with .040 tungsten and a #4 cup? My thought is a small controlled area would be easier to work withing than a 1/16 tungsten and a 3/4" + Furick cup.
All experienced responses are appreciated.

MIG , .025 wire at about 30 amps . I'm not a weldor , I'm a cabinet
maker with a metal addiction . Actually , if ya gotta TIG it I'd suggest
you stay with the #6 cup and 1/16" tungsten . The amperage has a lot
more to do with the weld than than the cup/tungsten size . 1/16" or .050
filler , smaller is better ... too large filler sucks too much heat
out of your puddle .
But still , I'm not a weldor .

[John B.]

On Mon, 26 Dec 2022 19:18:07 -0800 (PST), N Stewart

Post by N Stewart

--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mike Graham | Fighting the good fight against porosity,
<http://www.metalmangler.com>| try to correct the spelling of 'weldor'.

Would it work to weld 20 ga steel with .040 tungsten and a #4 cup? My thought is a small controlled area would be easier to work withing than a 1/16 tungsten and a 3/4" + Furick cup.
All experienced responses are appreciated.

Years ago I was a USAF certified TIG (we called it "Heli Arc" :-)
welder and I remember an old civilian welder that used to come in our
shop got in an argument about how thin a piece could be welded. He
ground a very long taper on the electrode and (I think) changed to a
smaller cup and preceded to weld some stuff that was hardly thicker
then newspaper :-)

I'd give it a try with what I had, maybe tapering the electrode a bit
more and weld some scrap pieces of what you intend to weld and then
change to a smaller electrode and cup if that doesn't work.

[Jim Wilkins]

--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mike Graham | Fighting the good fight against porosity,
<http://www.metalmangler.com>| try to correct the spelling of 'weldor'.

I have some previous TIG welding experience with 1/8" + material. I am now
moving to 20ga sheet metal for some auto body work. Here's my question:
Would it work to weld 20 ga steel with .040 tungsten and a #4 cup? My
thought is a small controlled area would be easier to work withing than a
1/16 tungsten and a 3/4" + Furick cup.
All experienced responses are appreciated.

-----------------------

I've MIG welded Ford and thinner Honda sheet metal and TIG welded 0.025"
wall aircraft tubing (for practice), though neither enough to consider
myself skilled. The professional advice I received was to go with MIG for
auto body, one reason being to protect the electronics from TIG's high
frequency, high voltage. Another is the low penetration and wide weld bead
from pushing the MIG gun. You could look for advice on TIG welding aircraft
tubing.

I used the same 1/16" tungsten and gas lens on the 4140 tubing that I'd used
for thicker stock, without a problem. This was in night school under expert
supervision, with my own Lincoln Square Wave 175 since it's what I'd use at
home.
jsw