Paulyy

I know a few of you like practicing TIG welding here.

Here's something i've been doing for a mate.

3" copper pipe.

s14kev

Nice welds. I hear its like aluminium TIG but requires a lot more amps to get it to puddle. I have enough trouble getting enough power to do aluminium here on 115V What machine do you run at 240V?

Side question is why? For automotive, copper is soft, heavy and expensive. Also ages terribly unless you like your underhood patina to look like old plumbing.

Paulyy

Thanks mate, Yeah it requires a bit more amps then stainless. I can't tell you how much amps as i use a foot peddle and i set the amps to ~150 and i vary the amps depending on the heat ect so its anywhere between 40amps to close to 120amps.

A good way to do aluminium is to heat up what you're welding with a torch, makes getting the puddle easier.

I have a lincoln electric precision tig 375 running on 400v. Can push out 420amps AC & DC
I used pure Argon, But you can also use helium which apparently gives you more amps at the touch.

The reason for copper is my mate saw some people make intercooler pipes (just straight pipes, no welds) out of copper and they look really nice polished. So he thought it'll be a cool idea to make an intake with lobster welds (he says it's never been done) and IMO i think it'll look cool. It's going on a s2000.

gruhsy

Very cool looking pipes.

jc in rb

So he is do'in a steampunk s2000....?????

blade7

Was there some pattern development used there or did you just cut sections of tube that way ?

333pg333

Nice job Paully! Certainly will look different.

Dougs951S

Purely asthetic? Copper pipe seems expensive to use for an air intake. Looks nice, but the whole engine is going to get covered in copper oxide in short order. All the same, nice welds! I've only ever oxy/fuel welded copper and it certainly wasn't as pretty.