Lets learn welding (and start thinking of buying welding equipement)...

After 5 lessons TIG aluminum welding it is getting somewhere. And I really enjoy it.

I did so many courses in de the past. For radio licences, for pilot licences, first aid, and many more and that times 3 of course because every course has its varieties ;-)

And every course brings its own kind of learning experience too. Not by content in the first place but in learning psychology.

TIG welding is a skill with a lot of cognitive aspects. It needs concentration, know your machine settings, apply the "rules", train a steady hand and... mess up the whole piece of metal.

From the past 5 lessons I learned the most important things in the last 2: Know what you are doing but forget thinking about it and relax in the timeless moment of your welding process!

Ok, seems very "mindful" and I guess it is. But it works for me as well. Somehow I seem to be attracted to skills that needs a combination of concentration, skills and knowledge and welding is one of them.

 

And yes I have a challenge: I need to remember that I wanted to learn welding to be able to build my Alu Pocketship. And not to to explore welding as an art on its own. But I have to admit: It's tempting...

So just when a new addiction is luring, holidays are knocking at the front door and that means: no welding lessons for weeks and weeks: Time to find some proper welding equipement...

Welding equipement

We can't do without the Internet anymore. It's a shame maybe but I really have to admit. In the past we traveled 5 shops, survived 4 con tricks and felt (somehow) lucky to make a "good" deal.

Nowadays we can surf hundreds of websites, compare dozens of brands and make a selection from a few heavily reviewed shops. And this is what "pops up" quite frequently...

The EvoTIG 200 Pulse AC/DC TW 85. Nice names, lots of figures. In fact it says that it has a capacity of maximum 200 amperes welding, pulse welding and AC and DC welding. Especially AC is important for aluminum welding as DC is not applicable for this. Up until now it is only dreams as I did'n order the machine jet. And of course you already understand that only a machine (an inverter) is not enough to get welding. I also need an tungsten electrode, a welding helmet, gas, filler rod etc.

So let the build up the bill... 

I also experienced that a pedal is absolute no luxury. Of course you can do without but to be able to start and finish your welds in a neat way, a pedal is important. Aluminum absorbs heat dramatically and you find yourself speeding up in the end drastically with all kinds of errors included! I never welded with a pedal but I guess that is one of the things I am missing.