First TIG weld

[word.weaver]

Started learning TIG welding last week after years of just using MIG for basic repairs. Holy cow, this is humbling. Following all the youtube tutorials about proper torch angle, steady travel and the rest but my beads are inconsistent and there's sugaring on the backside even with argon flow at 15 CFM, the foot pedal control feels impossible and apparently I can't walk and chew gum at the same time
Is it normal to suck this bad at first? and just how long before muscle memory kicks in?
Does anyone have any practice drills that can help one get coordinated? I'm determined to get better at this because MIG is great but TIG just looks so clean when done right. Plus I want to start building custom stuff for my motorcycle

 

[singin.welder]

Yeah, everyone sucks at TIG initially, the coordination takes a few weeks to start clicking, couple months to be consistently decent and sugaring means you need backside purge, not just top shielding

 

[Kenny C]

It may take longer than you hope I started with it a year or so ago. I’m still terrible but gaining with practice.

 

[Alan]

Yes, that’s normal with TIG. It’s all coordination at first but it improves fast with repetition. Start with straight beads, focus on puddle control and consistency will come after practice.

 

[cwella]

Started learning TIG welding last week after years of just using MIG for basic repairs. Holy cow, this is humbling. Following all the youtube tutorials about proper torch angle, steady travel and the rest but my beads are inconsistent and there's sugaring on the backside even with argon flow at 15 CFM, the foot pedal control feels impossible and apparently I can't walk and chew gum at the same time
Is it normal to suck this bad at first? and just how long before muscle memory kicks in?
Does anyone have any practice drills that can help one get coordinated? I'm determined to get better at this because MIG is great but TIG just looks so clean when done right. Plus I want to start building custom stuff for my motorcycle

Totally normal! TIG takes a lot of coordination, and most people struggle at first. Keep practicing on scrap, focus on one technique at a time, and the muscle memory will come with consistency. Don’t get discouraged!