Tool Reviews

Why tungsten oxide matters Tungsten oxide usually appears as a dull gray, yellow, blue, or white coating on a TIG electrode after the tungsten has overheated or contacted the weld…

A TIG torch switch can do more than start and stop the arc. With the right welder and torch control, it lets you adjust amperage while welding, making it easier…

TIG welding copper is difficult for one main reason: copper conducts heat away from the arc faster than most common metals. The weld puddle can freeze at the edges, refuse…

What a Gas Lens Does A TIG gas lens replaces the standard collet body inside the torch. Its fine mesh screens straighten and calm the argon as it leaves the…

TIG preflow and postflow are small settings with a large effect on weld quality. Preflow protects the tungsten and weld area before the arc starts. Postflow keeps shielding gas over…

Clean aluminum is not optional before TIG welding. Aluminum oxide melts at roughly 3,700°F (2,040°C), while the aluminum underneath melts around 1,220°F (660°C). If that oxide layer remains in the…

A TIG-welded fillet joint fails by undercut when the arc melts into the edge of the base metal faster than filler can replace it. The result is a groove beside…

Why Fit-Up Matters on Thin Stainless Thin stainless steel punishes poor fit-up. A gap that would be harmless on mild steel can pull the joint out of alignment, burn through,…

A square corner is one of the easiest TIG joints to overheat. Three surfaces meet in a small area, the inside corner traps heat, and the joint often needs enough…

Thin aluminum panels are easy to overheat with TIG. The weld may start cleanly, then the surrounding metal suddenly turns soft, collapses, or develops a large, distorted heat-affected zone. A…