11
PREPARATION OF THE WORKING AREA
The working area must be sufficiently spacious, not humid, and well-ventilated as
to avoid any fumes which develop from the welding process and from incidental
material adhering to the pieces to be welded (oils, paints, tars...) which may cause
annoyance to the operator.
Avoid welding by contact with humid parts nearby combustible liquids. Least of
all, do not weld upon tanks which may contain inflammable residuals.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
A comprehensive range of CLARKE safety equipment for use when welding is
available from your local CLARKE dealer.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS for ARC/TIG WELDING
✔
ALWAYS
ensure that there is full free air circulating around the outer casing of
the machine, and that the louvres are unobstructed.
✔
Welding arc can seriously damage your eyes. Both operator and spectators
must
ALWAYS
use a proper welding face shield or helmet, with suitable filter
lenses. Proper gloves and working clothes should be worn at all times.
✔
ALWAYS
check that the pressure regulator and gauges are working correctly.
DO NOT lubricate the regulator.
✔
ALWAYS
use the correct regulator. Each regulator is designed to be used with
a specific gas.
✔
ALWAYS
inspect the hose before use to ensure it is in good condition.
✔
ALWAYS
keep the free length of gas hose outside the work area.
✔
ALWAYS
remove all flammable materials from the welding area.
✗
NEVER
remove any of the panels unless the machine is disconnected from
the supply, AND never use the machine with any of the panels removed.
✗
NEVER
attempt any electrical or mechanical repair unless your are a qualified
technician. If you have a problem with the machine contact your local
CLARKE dealer.
Additionally, before preparing for Tig welding, you must procure a large gas
cylinder of 100% pure Argon.
To prepare the unit for TIG welding, it is important that you adopt the following
procedure.
1. Plug the
work return lead in to the +ve terminal,
and secure the work clamp to
the workpiece.
For good contact, the work clamp must be attached to clean bare metal.
Clean with a wire brush where necessary
2. Plug the
Torch lead to the -ve terminal
3. Screw the pressure regulator on to
the gas bottle tightly, and attach
the gas hose to the inlet connector
securely, with a hose clip. Screw in
the pressure regulator knob to set
a pressure of approx. 2,5Kg./cm2.
(35 lbf/in
2
).
4. Ensure the electrode at the torch
nozzle,protrudes by 4 - 5mm., also
ensure that the electrode is sharply
pointed withan angle of 40
°
-60
°
, if
it is not, grind it longitudinally.
(Consult your TIG Torch manual for
the procedure for adjusting the
electrode).
5. Set the welding current in
accordance with the thickness of
the material to be welded and the
size of tungsten electrode to be
used, (see chart on page 20), and
switch ON using the switch mounted
on the rear panel. The green light
on the front panel will glow.
6. Open the gas valve on the torch handle, allowing gas to flow from the
Fig 3
Fig 2
torch nozzle. Cover your
face with the head shield,
bring the torch to within 3-
4mm of the work, and at
an angle of 45
°
, so that
the ceramic nozzle gently
touches the work
surface. See fig. 3.
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