TIG 1

[aida2011]

Hi

I have repeatedly heard people saying that the welder performing TIG is "highly skilled".

May I know what makes TIG welder considered "highly skilled"?

Thanks.

Aida

 

[racookpe1978]

???

This one, combined with your earlier question, makes little sense.

GTAW welding requires skill. GMAW (MIG, wire-fed) welding requires skill, but is generally considered easier than GTAW because both hands can be on the torch lead which makes it easier to guide and position the head, and the wire feed is automatic as long as the current flows. SMAW requires skill too.

It is also why the specification speak of a "welder" and "welder operator" as different levels of skills.

It is why you (the "engineer") are not the welder. not the machinist. Not the foundry foreman.

 

[gtaw]

GTAW requires the welder to have good hand-eye coordination and he has to have the ability to manipulate the torch with one hand, feed the filler metal through his/her fingers into the weld pool, and manipulate the welding current with his foot. In some cases the welder uses a second foot pedal to control the rotational speed of the part being held in a positioner. So, in short, the welder is using both hands, each doing something different, and can possibly be using both feet to control two different things.

Not that the welder performing GTAW is the only person expected the perform several functions simultaneously, consider the individual operating heavy construction equipment such as an excavator or a dragline. They are controlling different functions of the machine using both hands and both feet all at the same time. All the while, they must be aware of other things going on all around them. That takes a lot of skill to be successful. That's what I call skill!!!


Best regards - Al

 

[MikeHalloran]

Aida, you need to sign up for an introductory welding class, e.g. at a local college.

Welding is one of the toughest intellectual tasks you can imagine.
... No, you can't imagine it if you haven't tried it.

You have to shut out all external distractions to concentrate on a little puddle of molten metal.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA