[Noisebridge-discuss] let's get a TIG welder
Casey Callendrello
c1 at caseyc.net
Fri Aug 17 21:15:03 UTC 2012
I think getting a TIG welder is a great idea. However, there are
definitely some concerns.
First of all, we really do need to worry about ventilating noxious
fumes. While the gas coming out of the welder is inert, the gases
produced through welding are *definitely* not good for you. This is a
solvable problem. It just takes proper consideration to airflow.
Fortunately, there is a window nearby to which we can vent.
For fire safety, I'd like to build a small welding enclosure in one
corner of the dirty shop. It should be lined with fire-resistant
material, and have those magical curtains that prevent blinding outsiders.
-c
On 8/17/12 2:06 PM, Ever Falling wrote:
> Matt has a point. At the very least you'd need to put down a metal
> plate or something to cover the wood (maybe we could coat the floor in
> the shop with an epoxy?) because with almost all welding you're gonna
> get sparks and slag coming off your piece. Also fumes, not from
> the shielding gas, but from the metal being worked on is a legitimate
> concern. You just might wanna look up which metals we should disallow
> from welding like galvanized metal or chromed steel. I don't think we
> gotta be OSHA compliant or anything but safety is something we should
> take seriously with a piece of equipment like this.
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM, John Ellis <neurofog at gmail.com
> <mailto:neurofog at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> I agree. Wooden floors, fumes would limit welding at NB.
>
> Is there a more appropriate workspace to use for large projects
> like this.
> Ace Monster Toys?
>
> -John
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 1:50 PM, Matthew Silvey
> <matthew at dancewithdevils.com <mailto:matthew at dancewithdevils.com>>
> wrote:
>
> I think this is a great idea but maybe not good for
> NoiseBridge for
> the following reasons.
>
> You may want to install it in a building not made of wood. I
> don't
> think NoiseBridge is in one of these.
>
> TIG welding does not create noxious fumes in the sense that
> using a
> welding method that relies on an inert gas doesn't. The
> material you
> weld might. Some lightweight reference here:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever
>
> Thanks,
> Matthew
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 12:55 PM, Jake <jake at spaz.org
> <mailto:jake at spaz.org>> wrote:
> >
> > at Toorcamp i was reminded of how badly noisebridge, and all
> hackerspaces,
> > need a TIG welder. It is the soldeing iron of welding,
> because you can melt
> > things without necessarily adding metal or sticking them
> together.
> >
> > Also, very importantly, TIG welding does not create noxious
> fumes because
> > the only gas released is Argon or Helium, as a shielding gas
> (to prevent
> > oxidation of the hot metal) and no flux is used.
> >
> > Harbor Freight Tools carries a TIG welder for $400. It has
> good reviews and
> > I think it would be worth the money. Monad has an Argon
> tank he will donate
> > toward its operation.
> >
> > It seems that its only drawbacks are the lack of a foot
> pedal (gee i wonder
> > if we could make one) and an unusual hose fitting for the
> argon (easily
> > replaced).
> >
> > I have welded with fancy and cheap machines and the cheap
> machines are fine
> > if you mod them to do what you want. I had a cheap tiny Arc
> welder with a
> > low duty cycle (overheats fast) and guess what - if you put
> a fan in it the
> > duty cycle goes way up. Imagine that?
> >
> > I just talked to the store in Concord and they have one in
> stock.
> > $399. The guy recommended the 2-year extended replacement
> warrantee for $79
> > or 1 year for $49. If we get it we should also get a nice
> automatic LCD
> > welding mask (i can donate a regular mask for spectators)
> and gloves and
> > shit.
> >
> >
> http://www.harborfreight.com/tig-mma-inverter-welding-machine-with-digital-readout-98233.html
> >
> > Professionals liked the smooth quiet ark. The highvoltage
> arc starter works
> > great (they should include this feature in the prod
> description).
> > Odd gas inlet connector but easily fixed by removing and
> replacing with a
> > 1/4" pipe elbow and hose barb. Don't be fooled by the light
> wieght. Modern
> > design uses a much smaller power transformer with a
> highfrequency power
> > supply (like all modern computers) to hold down wieght.
> > BOTTOM LINE Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
> >
> > Most Liked Negative Review:
> > Good Machine
> > I have this machine and was wanting a foot pedal. I might
> like this machine
> > more if I had a foot pedal.
> >
> > (I'm sure Rusty the Welding Teacher would turn up his nose
> at this welder,
> > because his TIG machine was $2000, but he also turned up his
> nose at helping
> > us with the bus so whatever to that.)
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