The rule of thumb for arc length is "the diameter of your electrode". The Miller Handbook is in PDF format, compressed into a zip file. Send me a PM with your email address and i'll send it. I was afraid you were going to write that. Hahaha.. I had read that, it just doesn't seem possible...

If I go any lighter, it's too bright. I was thinking you might increase the darkness, so the arc would not dazzle you, and you would have better visibility of the tip of the tungsten. Here's a couple clips from the Miller TIG Handbook that show torch angles. It also gives an idea of holding the dis...

I'm having a hard time seeing where the tip is in the glow. Auto dark hood? Can you adjust the darkness upward? Yeah, it's auto darkening. If I go any lighter, it's too bright. I did get two pieces of scrap steel 1/8" and ground them shiny. I tried to weld with no filler and it did seem easier...

According to that calculator your amps and argon are in the range. If i can suggest, leave the filler out at first, and just work on starting and advancing the puddle. Start with bright shiny steel, i.e., grind off any rust or mill scale, and wipe down with acetone. I wouldn't worry about replacing...

Mike wrote:Chris, welcome to the forum.

Thanks!

Hello! On a random Friday within the last few weeks I just got the urge to learn to TIG weld. I was driving around 270 and I stopped in a shop that sold argon and welders just to check things out. I left with a rather large tank of argon and a Lincoln TIG 200, some 1/8" electrodes, steel filler...