tig purge kit hand made silicon

Learn How to Create Custom Silicone Purge Dams of Any Size, Personalized with Your Own Branding

Hello, fellow welders! I’ve been waiting for the right moment to introduce a high-quality two-component silicone that allows us to create professional TIG purge dams on our own. The time has finally come, and as usual in our welding adventures, we’ve hit a jackpot—like that time with the NDT inspector who approved an entire project without ever setting foot on-site!

tig purge kit hand made silicon

This silicone offers a triple advantage that makes it a game-changer:

Key Benefits of Platinum-Cured Silicone:

  1. Heat Resistance
    It withstands up to 300°C (572°F) during short-term contact. A dream come true for industrial welders!
  2. Food-Grade Quality
    This means it’s also suitable for pharmaceutical applications—another win for industrial welders!
  3. Fast Curing
    The silicone fully cures in just 24 hours, making it incredibly practical for daily use.
  4. Cost Efficiency
    Creating a DN80 purge dam costs only €1.50 in materials, plus two hours of your time. In that time, you can produce five purge dams—saving money while gaining efficiency.
  5. Custom Branding
    Your TIG purge dams can carry your personal brand, adding a professional touch.
  6. Easy-to-Use 3D Mold
    Download a pre-designed mold file, scale it to your desired size, and you’re good to go. Consider it a gift from pipeweld.ee just for you.

Tig Purge tool DYI 

My Experience in purge tools making & Tips for Success

I’ve personally tested the entire process and am happy to share everything I know. All I ask is that you repost this article in relevant welding forums and explore the other cool DIY tools we’ve developed here on our blog.

3D Mold for a TIG Purge Kit: STL and STEP Models

This tried-and-tested 3D model is provided in STEP format and consists of four parts. The base mold is designed for a purge tool with OD 94 mm, which works for DN80 pipes.

If you need a larger size, like DN150 (OD 169 mm), it’s easy to scale. Just adjust the model dimensions using software like Cura or any other slicer program before 3D printing. Most slicers allow object scaling along all three axes.

 Download step format 3D mold model – here 

Example of Scaling:

  • If you need a 152 mm diameter tool from the 94 mm model, scale it by 61.7%.
  • For a 212 mm diameter, scale it by 39.7%.
    Adjust all three axes proportionally for accurate results.

Choosing the Right Silicone for TIG Purge Kits

I highly recommend using platinum-cured silicone for its superior durability, sterility, and ease of use.

  • Hardness Recommendation: After testing, I’ve found that a Shore hardness of 40-60 is ideal. Lower hardness (e.g., Shore 20) is too soft for industrial use.
  • Mixing Precision: Use a digital scale accurate to 1-2 grams for perfect proportions when mixing the two components.

Pouring and Curing the Silicone

  1. Mixing & Preparation:
    Mix the silicone thoroughly for at least 5 minutes. Assemble the 3D-printed mold using bolts to secure the parts.
  2. Optional Vacuum Chamber:
    For a bubble-free result, place the mixed silicone in a vacuum chamber to remove air pockets. If you don’t have access to a vacuum chamber, use silicone with a self-degassing feature.
  3. Manual Pouring or Syringe Method:
    Use a large medical syringe (100+ ml) to pour the silicone precisely. For DN80, you’ll need 40 grams of silicone.

Removing Your DIY TIG Purge Tool

After 24 hours, carefully disassemble the mold and remove your new purge dam. However, don’t use it immediately—let it sit for a couple of days to ensure the surface is fully cured and no longer tacky.

What you need to buy for smooth work and great results:

  1. Find a place to print a 3D model and ask them to scale the model to the required diameters.
  2. Buy platinum silicone with a Shore hardness of 50–60.
  3. Get clamping bolts (8 pieces). The diameter will vary depending on the scaling. For DN 80, M5 bolts are suitable.
  4. Purchase a 100 ml syringe.
  5. Prepare a measuring container and a mixing container.

I made the holes for pouring silicone larger — 9 mm in diameter. This makes the pouring process easier and ensures high-quality curing.

Gratitude from you!
Write reviews, share the article, and try creating your own plugs for purging. Good luck with your work, colleagues! May your welding with purging always be of top quality!

Ilja Arhi – Happy welding!