How good is your TIG weld? (weld strength & oxy acetylene torch welding aluminum)

See how a simple oxy-acetylene torch weld handles "shaping abuse" (do this to a TIG weld and you'll probably have a pile of metal scraps). 5 min. of gas welding followed by 5 min. heavy-duty metal shaping to demonstrate weld strength by master metalman Kent White.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• oxy-acetylene
• gas
• welding
• Aluminum
• Weld
• torch
• TIG
• GTAW
• how-to
• sheet
• metal
• fabrication
• flux
• hammering
• planishing
• air
• power
• hammer
• destructive
• testing
• steel
• copper
• brass
• stainless
• 3003
• 5056
• 4130
• kent
• white
• TM
• Technologies
• tinmantech

[hydraman5]

nicely done.but a tig weld can handle much thicker material.also a tig plant can weld steel,ali,and stainless.one day you can use it to weld a hydraulic pipe joint,the next to weld two coke cans together.there's lots of techniques that we used to use but don't use now.lets put this in the drawer with our lead joint wiping tackle.

[tinmantech]

@hydraman5 Yes, I have covered the TIG vs Torch issue in depth in many articles, booklets, and public workshops over the past 20 years. Let’s not be too hasty to dismiss a viable welding method. Your results may vary, but there are a number of applications - aside from heavy plate - that benefit from the torch. I’ve used both the TIG and the Torch for a number of years, going back to 1970 in fact, and there are times when the TIG is pretty good. - tinman

[bjzq8]

@tinmantech My father was a welder at Caterpillar for over 20 years. He welded stainless track link dies with a stick welder. Personally, his favorite was the oxy-acetylene torch. He despised MIG and TIG welders for some reason. Maybe because he was an old-time welder that learned in the old days. In any case, I've seen him do some beautiful work with a torch. That having been said, I love MIGs, but am not skilled enough to use a TIG properly.

[tinmantech]

@bjzq8 We are going to be holding two classes on TIG welding in 2012. Call or email us for a brochure 530-292-3506, or workshops@tinmantech(dot)com (we also teach Torch Welding).

[spelunkerd]

Brilliant demonstration of classical welding skills. These are skills that many welders haven't spent the time to master. Nice to see I don't need a TIG machine to do these. It's time for me to give it a try!

Is that special aluminum welding paste hard to find? Could I use normal welding paste that I have for steel gas welding?

[tinmantech]

@spelunkerd That is aluminum gas welding flux. However, if you are looking for steel gas welding, you would want to use flux for steel. You can read more about steel welding flux on our website (tinmantech - dot - com) However, your best bet is to look on our website for the booklet titled "Stainless Steel Welding" which will give you a lot of info on welding steel, including a lot more info on steel fluxes. thanks for asking. - tinman

[Jafromobile]

Very nice work! I learned Oxy-Acetylene and stick welding when I was 15, but I'm 40 now. I was gifted a Miller MIG about 3 years ago for a project, and I'm getting my feet wet again, loving every minute of it. Trying to soak in everything I can. Now I'd like to expand my toolbox because a MIG is limited to what it can do. Nice torch! ...and thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[AeroSport103]

You are the master of gas hands down!  You have got to be a killer with a TIG torch

[youmadbro96]

@tinmantech Gloves please.

[dannyrexknight]

Impressive work! I love some proof in my pudding!!!!!!

[whackitov]

lovely welding :) its a shame the oxy and acetylene industries are stitched up to the hilt in the uk, the gas is really cheap & approx £15 per bottle, but the rental charge on the actual bottle send the price waaay high.....works out at approx £356 per year just to rent the bottles alone, and none of the companies will fill a privately owned bottle.....pretty sure the mafia is in charge here

[joek0617]

@tinmantech u could just blowtorch or heat gun em

[gymkhanadog]

Wow. This is very impressive! I aspire to one day be able to melt metal with this type of skill.