TIG Welding Tips I Wish I Knew

TIG Welding Advice That Pays Off

If you're just starting out with TIG welding, especially aluminum, this is the stuff I wish someone had told me when I first picked up a torch. Learning to TIG weld can be expensive—between buying gas, burning up coupons, and wasting time without clear goals, it adds up fast. I’ve lived that. So let me save you from the same headaches.

When I was new, I didn’t just waste materials. I wasted months of my time. It wasn’t until years later—after becoming a welding supervisor and training others—that I saw what I’d missed early on: a roadmap. So now, that’s what I give my students—a clear path and a ton of real-world advice that cuts the fluff and shows you how to get good.

Here’s what I would tell every beginner TIG welder if I could go back in time.

Start With the Right Fundamentals

Don't jump straight into fancy joints. Trust me, you’ll waste material and get frustrated. Flat plate exercises without filler metal might not look exciting, but they’ll build your control fast. It's where every student in my program starts.

When I teach TIG now, we build from those basic movements. You’ll be surprised how much progress you can make when you master torch control before even touching filler. From there, we work our way up to butt joints, outside corners, and eventually coped pipe.

Set a Clear Goal With Your Welding

Before you dive into hours of practice, ask yourself—what do you want out of this? Want to weld for automotive projects? Pipe work? Fabrication? Your direction will shape how you train. If you don’t have that in place, you’ll end up spinning your wheels.

My goal early on was to master aluminum TIG welding in a production setting. That meant perfecting plate joints before anything else. It wasn’t glamorous—but it got me results.

Document Your Progress

This is my biggest regret—no photos, no videos, no log of where I started. I was too shy to show my imperfect welds. Don’t make the same mistake.

Inside my programs, I now make it a priority for students to document their work from day one with specific check points for all the lessons. You’ll want those early photos down the road. Not only to track your growth, but to remind yourself how far you've come.

Don’t Let Complacency Kill It

Even after 10 years of TIG welding, I hit a wall. I thought I’d learned everything there was to learn—and that mindset nearly made me quit. I got bored, burned out, and started coasting.

That was a red flag. The truth is, if you’re not learning, you’re falling behind. I ended up going back to school, earning new certifications, and reigniting my passion for welding by pushing myself to keep learning.

No matter where you’re at—stay curious. That’s what keeps the spark alive.

Pass on What You Know

I’ll say this plain and simple: don’t hoard knowledge. Too many welders treat skills like secrets. That mindset hurts the trade.

Even if you’re only a few months in, you’ve got something valuable to share. Teaching others—whether it’s a friend, apprentice, or someone online—actually makes you better. I’ve seen it time and time again. The more you teach, the more confident and skilled you become.

I’ve dedicated a huge part of my life to helping others grow in this trade. Whether through my free classes, paid programs, or just content on YouTube—I’ll always do what I can to give back.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re serious about getting better, I’ve got structured programs, free workbooks, and full video training on my site. You don’t need to guess or figure this out on your own. You can follow the exact blueprint I used to go from struggling beginner to welding supervisor.

Don’t waste time like I did. You’ve got goals—let’s get you there.

👉 Watch The Full Episode On YouTube Here

Dusty.