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Can you Tig Weld without Gas
Simply put, NO, you can’t Tig weld without Gas!
Gas is required to protect both the Tungsten Electrode and the weld pool from Oxygen. Most Tig Welder torches are also cooled by the gas, so not using gas would risk burning out the Torch.
It’s theoretically possible to use a Flux, in the same way as Gas Brazing, but this would leave the Tungsten Electrode unprotected from Oxygen, so it would go black and burn away REALLY quickly. Plus, as previously mentioned, you risk overheating a gas cooled torch.
So sorry, but you need Gas to Tig Weld properly!
For most Tig Welding Applications, Pure Argon Gas is ideal, although more exotic (and expensive), gases are available for specific applications.
View our Disposable Pure Argon Gas Cylinder
You might also find my article Can you use the same Gas for Mig and Tig useful.
Conclusion
Can you Tig Weld without Gas – NO
I hope you found this article answering the question “can you Tig Weld without gas” useful, if a little short 😀
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Regards
Graham
14 comments
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I am struggling to get a tig cylender and is just for practice. I have everything only short with the argon bottle. wouldn’t I rely on any accessible gas to just practice with?
Hi Simon
You can use either Disposable (throwaway), gas cylinders, or refillable gas cylinders. You need to choose carefully because a gas regulator for Disposable cylinders will NOT fit a refillable cylinder and a regulator for a refillable cylinder will NOT fit a disposable cylinder!
I hope that helps
Cheers Graham
why is there an “d” in Fridge but no “d” in Refrigerator?
No idea, try contacting Oxford English Dictionary 🙂
Not sure if it posted my comment properly so again can I use a plasma torch on my Mig welder?
I think I got the meaning of your first comment, so hopefully the answer I gave will fit 🙂
Mig not mug so sorry
🙂 we’ve all done it 🙂
Can I use my mug welder for tig welding and can I use a plasma cutter on my mug machine
Hi Donald
Some Mig Welders can be used for Tig Welding, usually DC Only and Lift, or Scratch Start. It all depends on the machine, so you would need to check with the manufacturer, or supplier of your machine.
Same would apply to Plasma Cutting, although this is much less likely to be possible, unless the machine was specifically designed for Plasma Cutting as well, and I would have expected this to be indicated on the front panel of the machine.
Cheers
Graham
Can I tig weld a small piece of metal with no gas ?
Hi Andre
Not really!
The Gas prevents oxidisation of the weld and the Tungsten electrode.
Whilst you could, theoretically, use a flux to prevent weld oxidisation, I can’t see how you would protect the Tungsten.
Cheers Graham
my question is can the arc of a tig welder be used to heat a loctited bolt .
Hi Richard
Theoretically, Yes, but It’s not something I would do!
Cheers Graham