TFS: First TIG. Now What?

So you just got your first TIG machine and you're ready to stack. But wait! Not so fast.... What else do you need? What sizes of what colors in what grades work? There's a lot of answers but we at TFS like to simplify it. Start with this and we'll see you on the other end of the bead.

Tools & Gear We Use and Recommend

Learn to TIG Weld in Our Class!

Top 10 Mistakes New Welders Make

Episode about TIG torches

Assembling a TIG torch

Stainless Episode

AC Balance and Aluminum Related info

Other Welding Instruction

Subscribe to The Fabrication Series for MORE!

[Koprophobic]

The fact you give this information out so precise, organized, and FREE makes you my hero

[agentbertram]

Just starting to TIG weld at age 62. This video was a very good starting point. Informative, nicely paced and a presenter with a friendly manner. Thanks. I shall be your student for as long as it takes.

[MrYiminie]

Ive been tig welding since 1962, and have listened to a lot of instructors and wannabes. Your series of videos give better than any other that I have seen or heard. Good Job. Newbees need all the quality information they can get..

[danmoreton]

I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, but a few years ago I purchased a tig welder. Try and try as I could I just could not get the hang of adding rod to the puddle and moving at steady pace. Hell I had a problems establishing a puddle! The end result was always the same. Welds looked like a dogs butt, The metal was cooked and I was very frustrated... My new tig welder sat there for two years and was a constant reminder of my failure to gain basic skills to learn how to tig weld.
At the end of last year I promised myself that in the new year I would learn how to tig weld. My son stopped by the house and gave me pointers on the basics of welding and it made all the difference in the world.
Within a few days of his help I saw one of your welding videos. You covered all the same basics and mentioned using 3/32' tungsten. I had been using 1/16" and realized I was upping the amps to melt the rod but also cooked the metal! Lastly, you said...I was trying to decide if I should mention this, but I will anyway. If you can't see the puddle you can't weld!! Too funny but true. I bought a clearview hood and it made all the difference in the world. The end result is I am now able to consistently weld without making all the past mistakes. I have confidence when I weld. If I have a problem, I can diagnosis the problem and correct it.
So, if you are just starting out, know that if a guy who is just south of 70 can learn to tig weld so can you!

[lesblack]

Thanks Justin for your valuable videos. The fact that you don't annoy with loud heavy background music is a definite bonus. You are also a very talented welding, and this is coming from some one who started a mechanical apprenticeship in 1963. Love your work and will endeavor to watch all of your videos. Cheers from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia.

[rjuarez]

Wow. I have never gotten so much down to earth, simplified, and quality information as from this guy. I’m blown away!!! And I’ve watched a ton of Tig videos. Thank you, from all of us.

[BuildBreakFix]

lol dono how I got recommended this video lol! But watched it anyhow lol! Been welding for many many years now, People! 10:00 This one whole point this guy makes in the next 20 seconds is the one main thing you need if anything to take away from this video! Buy a freaking good Hood! I have seen 4 people screw there eyes up with crap hoods from like harbor freight and stuff over the years! Thank god someone on youtube has enough common sense to lay these facts out for new people to welding! Good work man!

[JustSomeHuman-jo]

I am a beginner as far as tig is concerned. This video is just outstanding because it just lays out the basic bits and material to get going with tig. There’s absolutely none of this stuff about you have to use “blah blah” or you’re a dummy and you won’t be able to produce any sort of weld. It’s the best introductory video on tig welding that I have ever run across. Will this video make you an expert, nope. But it will simplify the overwhelming number of choices to get you started.

[mikeZLXD]

That is really brilliant advice, Justin.
I've TIG welded for years and I learned a lot from this video, as hard as that may be to believe, especially with
the filler rod types.
Cheers.

[drjimjam]

Beginning my journey into tig welding this week, for the second time. (The first attempt ended in complete failure.) Thank you for preparing me so well. This time around I feel I can wade in there knowing how to set up my machine! Knowing what a weld puddle should look like and how and when to dab. Not to mention being able to purchase consumables with a degree of knowledge and confidence. And all of this for free!!?? WOW. So I send to you and your crew a very deep and very sincere, THANK YOU. Y’all rock!! Beer
on me should we ever meet.

[hussainshabbir]

I bought everything according to this video and it really took out all the guess work and difficult decisions out of the window. Simple and honest guidance! Lots of Love!

[vanduraful]

This is the most informative and digestible tig video on YouTube. Thank you very much.

[Zig]

I've played with TIG before, but finally bought my own. This was a perfect NO-BS primer for things that I need going in. Thanks, Justin!

[ifster]

That was the best "beginner intro" I've seen yet. I've had my MIG for 20 years and just got my first TIG setup and did not know the first thing about it. Now I do know the first thing about it.
Thanks.

[mikeolmt]

THANK YOU for presenting this basic info in such a concise and clear way! This video was the first all-inclusive, step-by-step video that explains the basics so that anyone can understand it. You and your videos have helped me actually start tig welding and get to the point where I could actually build a complete exhaust system for myself. I cannot stress enough how unique and helpful your style of teaching is, Justin! Subscribed and followed over a year ago. Keep up the amazing work brother!!

[rmTheWalrus]

I only recently started TIG'ing, so no surprise I've landed on these TFS vids. I wish I'd actually stumbled on this one prior to my first few days, b/c I would have been setup 3x faster and had 100% more confidence (and less anxiety). Even now being into it a little, so much to learn, and really love the way you present the info. Somehow you always manage to speak exactly to questions I have in my head.

[jeffanderson]

Teachers and instructors are not made, they are born with the gift of conveying information to those who need it with the least amount of confusion and run on phrases that can glaze over the eyes of the most interested students. Justin is a natural instructor. These videos are pure gold, their content is massive and the delivery is seamless. As the owner of a fabrication shop in Tucson, I thought I knew it all, I was wrong. When I'm not stacking dimes I'm stacking these videos one on top of the other. Keep them coming.

[travismiller]

20 year veteran of the glassblowing industry just getting into TIG. thanks very much for this VERY informative video. Let me share with you a tool hack from glassblowing ya'll might like:
I noticed a lot of TIG welders using spark plug covers from the auto parts store- woven glass fiber socks to turn over hot parts freshly welded parts to spare your gloves, and add some hold time before you feel the heat.
Glassblowers use a pair of stainless steel hose clamps to fit them onto BBQ tongs. With the glass sleeve it won't scratch up your parts.

[stephen]

I love your no bullshit approach that cuts through all the crap that's out there on YouTube. This is just what I needed. Thanks.

[BigPowerAL]

Returned my Harbor Frieght welding helmet for a Miller Digital Elite per your advice. Appreciate all the work y’all put in these videos.