FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Any TIG welding experts here?

seeyou | Posted in General Discussion on September 13, 2007 01:56am

I’m thinking of purchasing a tig welder to weld sheet copper and aluminum. I would like to find a 110V machine. I have 240V in the shop, but I envision using the rig on site where only 110V is available. Any tips, ideas?

http://grantlogan.net/

 

“he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd” – sancho

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. alias | Sep 13, 2007 02:27am | #1

    http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=df1ab677b3897350f2bfb60e236762f4

    have fun just learned around a year ago i'm having a blast...........

    " No matter how flat the pancake , there are always two sides"



    Edited 9/12/2007 7:29 pm ET by alias

    1. seeyou | Sep 13, 2007 02:44am | #2

      Nice forum. Thanks, Kent.http://grantlogan.net/

       

      "he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho

      1. alias | Sep 13, 2007 03:02am | #4

        From what i gather 240 are better than 110 , because of versatility and recycling issue's . Again have fun and be safe ..." No matter how flat the pancake , there are always two sides"

  2. Jemcon | Sep 13, 2007 02:54am | #3

    The only problem with AL. is that you need AC to weld it . You can use DC but it is much more difficult and it needs to be spotless since you don't get the cleaning action with DC.

    I have never seen a 110v AC machine for tig. That doesn't mean they don't make on. I like Miller machines personally but thats just my preference. Check Miller or Lincolns sites for info.

     

     

     

    Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

    1. seeyou | Sep 13, 2007 03:09am | #5

      Since posting, I've been reading up and it appears a MIG might work for my application. Aluminum is not my main focus - copper is. My welding experience consists of arc welding steel. Any thoughts?http://grantlogan.net/

       

      "he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho

      1. User avater
        madmadscientist | Sep 13, 2007 04:19am | #6

        I've never heard of MIG welding copper?  Do you have a reference?  Actually now that I think of it I've never heard of TIG welding (actually probalby brazing) copper?

        Thought the wife really want's a fancy-pants TIG welder (part of the reason why I married her) and if we could TIG copper that would be a bonus.

         

        Daniel Neumansky

        Restoring our second Victorian home this time in Alamdea CA.  Check out the blog http://www.chezneumansky.blogspot.com/ 

        Oakland CA 

        Crazy Homeowner-Victorian Restorer

      2. sapwood | Sep 13, 2007 04:20am | #7

        If you just figured out by "reading up" that mig is for you instead of tig, then I'd suggest you need to read up some more. There's a vast difference in the methods and the reasons why one would choose one over the other. If you want real help you should tell a more complete story: what do you want to weld. That is.... thickness of material, alloy of material, is this structural or decorative, how "pretty" must the weld be, are you doing a lot of out of position welding..... and on and on. On the other hand if you just want to get going without a lot of fuss, then mig is the choice. One can be taught to weld steel with a mig machine in maybe ten minutes. You won't be good, but you'll be able to stick metal together. But with tig, be prepared to spend all day before you get any kind of bead.

        1. seeyou | Sep 13, 2007 04:34am | #8

          If you just figured out by "reading up" that mig is for you instead of tig, then I'd suggest you need to read up some more.

          I didn't figure anything out. I just got more info that suggested that TIG wasn't my only option. That's exactly what I said.

          There's a vast difference in the methods and the reasons why one would choose one over the other.

          That's why I'm asking. I know very little. I'm trying to learn enough to wander into the proper forum and ask intelligent questions. I've visited a number of welding forums and they don't appear to be very beginner friendly.

          What I'm wanting to weld is sheet copper -no alloys. Mostly decorative. I solder this type of stuff now and am very good at soldering. But occasionally, I have a project where I don't want the solder to show. Out of position stuff is likely. Thankshttp://grantlogan.net/

           

          "he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho

          1. alias | Sep 13, 2007 04:38am | #9

            try this :http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12105.." No matter how flat the pancake , there are always two sides"

          2. seeyou | Sep 13, 2007 05:14am | #12

            That's the ticket -Thanks.http://grantlogan.net/

             

            "he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho

          3. User avater
            Dinosaur | Sep 13, 2007 08:09am | #14

            Take a look at this site: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/ Info for both MIG and TIG, weld calculators, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

            Dinosaur

            How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

          4. caseyr | Sep 13, 2007 07:21am | #13

            Mig welders generally feed the welding wire through the cable to the "stinger" by having a drive mechanism at the welder which pushes the wire through the cable to the gun/torch. One of the problems with MIG welding with soft metals such as aluminum (and I would assume also the case with copper) is that the aluminum wire is often not stiff enough to get pushed through the cable to the gun. To avoid jambing, you may need a "push pull" system where there is a motor drive in the gun which pulls on the end of the wire at the gun while it is being pushed through the cable at the machine. Unfortunately, these push-pull guns are expensive. Another option is a "spool gun" in which the drive mechanism is a separate unit that is placed close to the item being welded and thus requires a much shorter cable than the standard push system. Also expensive. If you get lucky and get a good cable (preferably one with a sheath designed for aluminum welding) you might be able to get by with minimal problems.TIG welding generally gives a much more attractie welding bead and produces less distortion to the materials being welded (assuming it is done correctly). Since the welding wire (rod) is fed by hand into the weld puddle by hand, there is not the problem of the soft material getting hung up in the feed mechanism. There is the problem, however, of being coordinated enough to smoothly feed the rod with one hand while handling the torch with the other and adjusting the welding current with your foot - something I have not yet totally mastered (the coordination required is something like patting your head and rubbing your tummy...) Welding students often practice at length to be able to smoothly feed the rod along their gloved hand by manipulating their finger to slide it along. There are 110v TIG units available, but I assume that you would be limited to something like 1/8" thickness. You can do a web search on "110v tig welder" or similar and find some units. As with a previous poster, I am a fan of Miller welders, but I haven't checked to see if they make a 110v unit. One thing to watch for, particularly on a 110v unit, is the duty cycle, which is the amount of time in any ten minute period that you are supposed to be able to weld. The rest of the time is supposed to allow the unit to cool down. I have seen 110v MIG units with a duty cycle as low as 10% for the rated maximum power - which means that you are suppoed to be letting the unit cool for 9 minutes out of every ten - which means that you had better have a rich fantasy life to avoid geting bored out of your skull while attempting to weld...

          5. sapwood | Sep 13, 2007 08:21pm | #16

            You might want to check out this site: http://www.artmetal.com/They are lightly traveled at times but the members do mostly the kind of welding and fabrication that you seem to be interested in. I have welded bronze with both mig and tig but not copper by itself. My text book indicates that copper and it's alloys are mostly readily welded. Pure copper appears to be the easiest to weld with some alloys nearly impossible. You will want to do further research. To save yourself a lot of grief.... purchase the best machine you possibly can. Don't get an inexpensive rig from a chain store to just get by for while you're learning. Welding with poor equipment is a recipe for frustration. Included in my gotta have list are an auto-darkening shade, and good supple well fitting gloves.

      3. Jemcon | Sep 13, 2007 04:54am | #10

        I have mig, tig and arc experience but never heard on mig on copper. Mig is great for steel but is a colder weld  than arc. Tig is a very precise welding. You can weld thin steel and aluminum. With multiple passes you can weld as thick as you can imagine. I've done up to 1" but it takes days. I'll look into tig for copper but I've never done it. 

         

         

        Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

  3. Jemcon | Sep 13, 2007 04:59am | #11

    I found you can tig copper with DCSP (direct current straight polarity). You need Argon a your shielding gas.

     

     

     

    Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

    1. User avater
      madmadscientist | Sep 14, 2007 09:19pm | #17

      Would this me fusion welding or using a rod?  If so what type of filler rod would you use?

      Hurray this could be justification for a nice tig rig...

       

      Daniel Neumansky

      Restoring our second Victorian home this time in Alamdea CA.  Check out the blog http://www.chezneumansky.blogspot.com/ 

      Oakland CA 

      Crazy Homeowner-Victorian Restorer

      1. Jemcon | Sep 15, 2007 03:57am | #19

        Either way. They make copper filler rod. I found the way to tell in tig if you need filler rod is if the weld will me undercut or shallow in the puddle then you need rod. Don't add to much rod or the puddle will be to thick.   

         

         

        Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

  4. danski0224 | Sep 13, 2007 01:25pm | #15

    I haven't done much TIG aluminum other than "messing around", and I have never done copper, but I would like to.

    That said, I do know that welding either, especially copper, will take quite a bit of heat- current.

    I also know that the quality of the welding machine is directly related to the amount of money spent.

    Options for 220v site power include a cheater cord wired into the panel, an independent generator or an engine driven welder.

    I believe the major manufacturers (Miller and Lincoln) both have entry level light duty machines that run on 110v. 

  5. beachguy1960 | Sep 15, 2007 02:13am | #18

    I HAD the perfect welder your looking for. It was a needle arc plasma welder made by LINDE Corp. Great machine. I had it for several years, never had a need for fine welding, only 10 amp max, up to 1/32. I thought it would be great for metal art work. The machine I had was made in late 70's, Geezz It was heavy! 100 lbs? Water cooled and 110 volts.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Townhouse Transformation

A sleek, modern redesign maximizes space and light while preserving the building's historical charm.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data