New to this TIG welding, need guidance

[the real mvp]

I'm pretty new to welding and recently picked up a TIG welder. I've done some basic research, but I'm still trying to figure out the finer points. I'm struggling a bit with settings, specifically for different metals and thicknesses, so.. tips or resources you'd recommend for a beginner? I'd also love to hear about common mistakes to avoid when starting out with TIG welding.
Appreciate any help you can offer Thanks

 

[SmutCriminal]

Hey, welcome to the forum. Normal to struggle a bit that's fine. For mild steel, you need around 1 amp per 0.001" as your starting point. Then for aluminum, you have that AC setting then just tick the AC balance and frequency. Usually your welder would have that. Then for Tungsten, just be wary of the cup size. Hoping I am making sense.

 

[StillAlive]

I'm pretty new to welding and recently picked up a TIG welder. I've done some basic research, but I'm still trying to figure out the finer points. I'm struggling a bit with settings, specifically for different metals and thicknesses, so.. tips or resources you'd recommend for a beginner?

One tip from me. try to practice on scrap! The charts and videos are starting points.
Dialing it in for your machine and technique takes practice. Note what works and what doesn't.

 

[brainiac1]

A few more tips from me:

- keep the tungsten sharp if you're working with steel
- clean aluminum properly before welding
- don't dip the tungsten in the weld pool
- practice on scrap including the angle and filler timing

 

[whimp parrot]

Here's a useful link for a TIG welding chart.

https://simpleweld.com/blogs/weldipedia/tig-welding-amperage-chart?srsltid=AfmBOoqbLHhUbrfH2V0xPMx3-q89pRSUs2YDIPn4YBjkdcTOAwISd0T_

Keep your tungsten clean and avoid touching it to the work or filler rod, as contamination is one of the most common early mistakes. you can also check for video tutorials on YouTube, which can also give you techniques you can use.