TIG Copper. My first try

[luke777]

G'Day,
After contemplating for ages I decided to get some bits and pieces and try TIG-ing up some copper. Before I knew it I had spent ages fiddling and working some things out. It went OK but I have a lot to learn that's for sure.

coppertig001.jpg

As you can see I got carried away and went straight down to 1/2" off the top of the column.. Thought I would try and see how it goes... I realise most plans drop down to a section of 3/4" first. Plan on trying to tig up a 36" Leibig (1/2" inside 3/4") and have a compression joiner between it and the column for dismantling.

Amazed at how much heat it takes to saturate the piece (especially once the piece gets a bit bigger) and how hot it gets. Up the amps to get a puddle quicker and you had better be ready to back that pedal off or the house of cards comes falling down in a big way. Kind of similar to Ally in that way I suppose.

Also tried welding Copper to stainless (keg flange adapter fitting) but this ended in disaster. I'll keep trying after I get some advice from those with skills.
Anyway, thought I would share. It is nerve racking as copper is so expensive I loathe to wreck any. But you can only learn so much practicing on scrap.

Anyone who has skills or advice, I would be extremely grateful for your input and comments. You wont offend me, I know my work is no oil painting!

Regards,

Luke

[aliced]

Looks Fkin sweet to me bro!

[aliced]

I have done a bit of copper to stainless, to tell you the truth mate, unless you have done a fair bit of tig welding or are up for some serious practice, I would silfos it, or solder it, or anything really, use sticky tape if it gets the job done, drove me fucking up the wall learning how to do it.

[SBB]

Before I knew it I had spent ages fiddling

Thats copper addiction for you, I once did that and next thing there was a bubbler sitting in the shed :scared-eek:
another time a pot still appeared :scared-eek:

[Hobo]

Looks like a bloody neat job for a first try! Much neater than you could get with Mapp gas and silver solder, well done.

[luke777]

Thanks heaps fellas!!
I will definitely keep trying. I'm a bit of a perfectionist but it pays to cut yourself some slack when learning new things.
Can't expect to be a guru in a month, otherwise everyone would be one!

Just LOVE a neat job!!

The truth of it is I struggle with pipe. hand position, technique etc is a struggle so I think I need to go and watch someone who knows what they are doing. Not to mention spending time under the helmet.

ANY advice and tips would be like gold to me.

Thanks and kind regards.

Luke

[Smbjk]

Looks awesome bro :handgestures-thumbupleft: looks like a swans head :D

[Milky]

That looks great and really neat! Well done! It takes a shit load of heat but if you go past that point and then BOOM! hole.