TIG? As in Tungsten Inert Gas welding, like I use on my cars?
Tim, That’s right. My machine is used right off the shelf with no
modifications. I like to say it’s not the size of the hammer; it’s
how you swing it. Years ago I had a good friend that had been a
professional machinist for more than 50 years. He snickered at my
EMCO compact 5 lathe. He thought it was a toy. His lathe, like
himself, was ancient. The lathe was all entirely manual control and
driven with four-inch wide leather belts. It had a five-foot bed and
16-inch swing. The lathe weighed over a ton! I learned from him that
this big old lathe was absolutely capable of turning tiny objects
with extreme accuracy.
If your welder has a spot welding mode, it is capable of creating a
short burst of intense energy, like that of the various other forms
of welding technology. Think about the science. To weld we must
effect the material on an atomic level. The material must some how
become temporarily fluid, commingle, and then re- crystalize. Some
sort of energy that can influence the nature of the atomic particles
that compromise the structure of the material must be introduced to
cause this effect. There are many ways to do this. Electromagnetic
energy, which we call electricity, is a phenomena capable of doing
this.
A TIG welding machine has the capacity to regulate the amount of
energy introduced into the material. It is not the amount of energy
the machine is capable of producing, but the amount of energy that is
introduced. Therefore, car body or platinum watch, it is simply mater
which can be influenced by the controled introduction of electricity.
In my opinion platinum is the easiest of all precious metals to TIG
weld. No special machine functions are necessary. During the process
of restoring the platinum watch, the machine is set up with the
electrode negative and no pulser (amperage modulator).
I use my machine as a spot welder when I feel I can’t control the
weld as much as necessary and a continuous welder when I have more
latitude. While building up the channels used to hold in the emerald
baguettes, I used spot welding mode. Welding the links that received
the floral motif engraving, I used straight direct current continuous
welding. I can create a puddle of platinum while welding and hold it
or drag it around without the entire work piece melting down. To the
amazement of colleagues Tim Green and Jo Heamer, a puddle of molten
platinum could be magnetically drawn through space across a gap. This
is something I could not do with gas and oxygen. I have found the
control that is obtainable with the use of a TIG welder to be a
distinct advantage over gas welding. It is easy for me to understand
why people love the control over welding their laser welder affords
them. The main advantage of TIG welding over laser welding, is the
cost of the machinery.
Furthermore, TIG has the ability to weld thicker precious metal jobs
in a fraction of the time it would take to laser weld. There is a
reason that the majority of industry uses TIG welding as a solution
for joining metal. TIG affords flexibility and value. More production
with less tool cost. The catch is, that aside from the very intricate
welds my colleagues skillfully accomplish with their laser welders,
laser welding is simple. It takes about fifteen minutes to learn how
to make a simple weld with a laser. Not so with TIG welding. Thinking
back, it was very difficult for me to solder my first band ring. It
melted and I had to do it again and again. I persevered and with a
great sense of accomplishment, soldering became second nature. It was
very difficult for me to make my first TIG welds. Eventually I became
familiar with the tool and now welding is second nature. If you have
a desire to add a new skill to your resume, I would encourage you to
learn to arc weld. If you wish you could justify the purchase of a
laser, but can’t.
Consider arc welding. If you work in silver, palladium, or platinum,
TIG welding might make your life easier. Most of us are proud of our
small victories over the fussy business of make a piece of jewelry.
I’m proud of my welding skill. As a welder I’m not alone. There are
thousands of TIG welders toiling away in industries around the world,
making welds, building the objects that we use every day. At some
point, TIG welding was over looked by the industry. I’m uncertain
why. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. I’m ready to hear from others
why TIG welding is valuable or invaluable to the jeweler. I know it’s
not the great panacea, but is there a place in your shop for an arc
welder? Jim, Jo, and Pat, care to comment? Kevin Grey, did you try
it? How did it go? Theresa Frye, how does Techform utilize a TIG
welding machine?
Best regards, Kevin