Rehooked up my Tig setup. Hooked up the Argon tank and purple tip electrodes. HEY, IT WORKS!!! The problems were probably 95% me, but I'm welding! Well, sort of. Started with some exhaust tubing. Looked better from the inside of the tubing than the outside. Figured out how to scratch start with lower amperage. Moved on to some 1/8" flat stock I had laying around. 3 hours later, I could actually say, I was laying a bead. I finally was using more filler rod than electrodes, was able to stop getting the tip all balled up, and could recognize a weld. One thing I have figured out, this is definitely a game of patience. Now I know why everyone I have seen Tig welding is sitting down in a chair. My back is killing me from leaning over at the table. All I can say is this is really cool and thanks to everyone here for guiding me through this process.
P.S. No, this doesn't mean I'm welding my own cage tomorrow. But I feel really confident in being able to in the near future.

Sounds great. I look forward to seeing your progress. I hope to get started on mine in about a month.

Cool... glad your getting a handle on it.. your
gonna have to learn to get comfortable when your
welding.. thats very important

"Learn to get comfortable". That's a new one. I don't think I've ever been comfortable my whole life. But I know what you mean. I can see why it's a much slower, but more accurate method of welding. Patience will be my new best friend.

One thing, if I may suggest is go to the Weldmonger store and order yourself a tig finger. You will be able to steady your torch hand much better without getting the crap burn't out of your hand. The more comfortable you are, the nicer your finished product. Good luck on your project.

Bucheye; Yeah, I'm already signed up on Jody's website. Lot's of great info and video's. I got into the habit of mig welding without gloves. Trying to tig weld in gloves is like wearing those balloon boxing gloves for kids. Having trouble being steady, feeding filler rod, but will get there. Lots to learn very quickly. Need to back down on heat range, now that I can strike an arc fairly quick, and learn how to brogress the torch so the metal doesn't overheat. Thinking I might have gone too small on my filler rod, gets used up awful quick, doesn't leave too much of a bead.

I hear you with the steady hand, I found that 2 diet Budweisers before I start welding helps with the steady hand. Then 2 more when I'm done welding to celebrate being done for the day! LOL

I like that plan. I'm not big on light beer. Can I use the leaded version?

"Trying to tig weld in gloves is like wearing those balloon boxing gloves for kids. "

You do understand the amount, intensity, and proximity of the UV given off in the TIG process, correct? Tigging without gloves is for anybody who smokes, drinks heavily, doesn't wear a seat belt/helmet, and doesn't think they will live past 50. Get the right gloves and you will be fine. One set for alum, one for steel.

A few months ago I had what first appeared to be a rash just below my neck. Then I thought maybe I'd been stung by a wasp but couldn't recall that so maybe it was a spider bite during the night. Finally it occurred to me that it was actually "sunburn" from tig welding. I'd been welding in a golf shirt with the buttons undone and my helmet didn't cover that area.

You definitely want to be covered up when welding - especially tig !!! There are thin leather gloves made for tig welding and you want a tight fit so you can feel and feed the filler rod.

Haven't heard of that. What's the reason?

I did not know that. Thanks. Will look into it. Have only purchased the bulky ones for Mig. No one ever mentioned anything else.

Critique my welds, please. Gas flow 18-20, 105 amp setting, ER70S-6 1/16". 3/32" purple tip tungsten. 1/8" weld steel plate. Started with a #7 cup. Figured out a #6 works better for getting into a 90° joint. Biggest problem I have had is keeping the feed wire off of the electrode. Found out very quickly, dirty metal is a no-no. And don't leave the fixture magnet behind the metal you are welding.

Couple more

Pictures are backwards. Second set is my first welds, along with the one on the hood. Can you tell anything from this crosscut of my last weld?

Looks good. The filler on the tungsten is just practice.

I can see part of the issue is your not seeing the
weld right.. you should never have a gap/jump in the
bead.. change the setting on your helmet so you can
see better... if you cant see you cant weld... if you
wear glasses you might want a cheater lens(like a 2.0
or 2.5).. your adding too much filler.. you can cool
down in areas.. it will take a bit more time... calm
down.. its not a race.. I use to do the same thing.. I
use to try to weld fast.. it doesnt make a nice weld bead
EDIT
also your hand looks like its getting hot.. your trying
to move quicker.. nice gloves.. if needed put a block of
wood under your torch hand

Mr P: The gap is due to me forgetting about the magnet behind the metal. I forgot to remove it after I tacked the metal upright (you need to see how weird the arc gets when close to a magnet). Have to look into a "Cheater Lens" for my helmet. Took a while to adjust it properly. Even that takes different settings from mig. And definitely better gloves. I thought I wasn't adding enough filler rod. Like mig, I found that the longer the run, the hotter the metal gets. Yes, I did speed up to try to get in front of the excess heat. I guess, this is where a foot pedal comes in handy. Will have to learn to stop at times. Torch never really got hot on me (I have to admit, I wasn't wearing a glove on my torch hand). I am pushing at about a 45° angle. Is that right? Tig welding seems more like soldering or brazing/gas welding. Technique and patience.

I prefer a pull at about 45*.. that way I'm always
seeing my weld puddle and the amount I'm adding..
but thats me.. also I'm left handed so to many I
weld(or do most things)backwards.. when working in
corners I will pull the electrode out a bit more so
I can see better.. you have plenty of gas in the corner
to protect the weld.. you have to remember.. dab... dab..
dab with the rod.. it doesnt take a lot of filler with tig

Yeah, I'm watching closely. I have the torch forward lean at 45 with my right hand, moving left. Using the #6 cup, I noticed I get a bit of wind from the gas. Is it ok to lower the flow rate? My manual wants 20 cfm, but I'm running slightly under, 18 or 19. Seems to be blowing on the weld. Keeps the tungsten clean, though.