The technique of TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas) is one whereby the arc is sustained between a non-consummable tungsten electrode and the workpiece. Inert gas is used to prevent oxidation and subsequent contamination of the weld. It is a slow technique, but because of that, the process lends itself to manipulation by a very good welder. BTW, the proper acronym should be GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Weld). What Leonard is doing is to visually observe the weld VERY closely and watching for the corrosion and allowing it to come to the surface of the weld and allowing it to remain there until the weld cools. Then the top layer containing the contamination can be physically removed by machining. NOT a technique for beginners using their own head. Get a junk head and practice a few zillion times. Preferably with and experienced welder who knows what to look for. The usual body repair welding machine is a GMAW machine. Gas Metal Arc Welding sustains the arc between the metal weld filler and the work piece so the contamination location cannot be controlled as can be with GTAW. - Jeff '80 Westi, Grass Valley, CA (Portraying a Weld Engineer at work) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Leonard has developed some bizzare technique whereby he floats the corrosion out of the pits using the TIG as he welds them up. Apparently he can rework very badly damaged heads. But at a pretty fair price, about $250 last I checked, still a lot less than new. Even the guys at Stephens will steer you toward AVP for wasserboxer head work.
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