- Thread starter Gudgeon
- Start date
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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See the muck and contamination on the tungsten. You must get rid of that. There must not be any contamination of the electrode.
HughF
Member
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- Work: Dorchester, Workshop: Corfe Castle, Wife's place: Frome
You could benefit immensely with a half hour of someone looking over your shoulder. Difficult in current climate though.
I'm happy to test the machine for you and tell you if there's something up with it though, if you want to send it to Dorset.
I'm happy to test the machine for you and tell you if there's something up with it though, if you want to send it to Dorset.
Hi,
Stick with it Gudgeon. I too suffered no end of problems last year as a beginner to Tig welding aluminium with everything going wrong that could go wrong including the Tig welder exploding internally. Next was the pure argon gas problem; I visited Hobbyweld buying a small cylinder and quickly used three of these small cylinders really becoming expensive so I then opened an account with BOC; next I had regulator problems so bought a new regulator; next I found three connection leaks; the easiest way to see if there are leaks is to pressure the hose and then turn the gas off if the pressure then drops expect trouble; I've never used disposable cylinders thinking one of these might just fill the hose?
A small Hobbyweld cylinder should sort out if you've got a gas problem but I'd also recommend buying a flow meter too which is cheap enough. If you can't trust your kit then you'll struggle. I'm definitely not a Tig welding expert and I suffered no end of hassles but I got there in the end; good luck because Tig welding aluminium isn't easy; I've been arc welding steel for over 50 years and struggled with Tig.
Kind regards, Colin.
This on thick aluminium.
Practice and lots of it using three Hobbyweld small cylinders.
Stick with it Gudgeon and don't despair you'll win in the end if your bank balance can stand it. Here are two petrol tanks I Tig welded in aluminium; I'm now on my third BOC cylinder but it's still full. Learning Tig welding is highly frustrating but the guys here on the forum were wonderful in helping me and I take my hat off to each and every one of them.
Stick with it Gudgeon. I too suffered no end of problems last year as a beginner to Tig welding aluminium with everything going wrong that could go wrong including the Tig welder exploding internally. Next was the pure argon gas problem; I visited Hobbyweld buying a small cylinder and quickly used three of these small cylinders really becoming expensive so I then opened an account with BOC; next I had regulator problems so bought a new regulator; next I found three connection leaks; the easiest way to see if there are leaks is to pressure the hose and then turn the gas off if the pressure then drops expect trouble; I've never used disposable cylinders thinking one of these might just fill the hose?
A small Hobbyweld cylinder should sort out if you've got a gas problem but I'd also recommend buying a flow meter too which is cheap enough. If you can't trust your kit then you'll struggle. I'm definitely not a Tig welding expert and I suffered no end of hassles but I got there in the end; good luck because Tig welding aluminium isn't easy; I've been arc welding steel for over 50 years and struggled with Tig.
Kind regards, Colin.
This on thick aluminium.
Practice and lots of it using three Hobbyweld small cylinders.
Stick with it Gudgeon and don't despair you'll win in the end if your bank balance can stand it. Here are two petrol tanks I Tig welded in aluminium; I'm now on my third BOC cylinder but it's still full. Learning Tig welding is highly frustrating but the guys here on the forum were wonderful in helping me and I take my hat off to each and every one of them.
Fair enough , I think I might have had grounding issues when I first started the ally. The initial pool formation is what I found most difficult but once it gets going it's very compliant.
Stu
Hi,
I'm unsure if it's been mentioned but have you got a decent welding helmet?
Initially I tried the auto helmet I'd bought costing £35 from Rufforth Auto Jumble which was fine for arc welding but absolutely useless for Tig welding; following Hood's excellent advice I bought a new Optrel Chrystal 2.0 and what a huge difference; I could now see the weld whereas with the cheap helmet I was guessing with lots of puddle dipping. Tig welding isn't for anyone on a low tight budget because costs soon go ballistic; for the bit of actual Tig aluminium welding I've done so far I must have spent around £1,600 a lot of this on the amount of gas I used during learning; you can't skimp on pure argon gas for aluminium welding and it's not cheap but by opening the BOC account I could then relax a bit regarding gas cost and enjoy making every mistake possible a number of times each; I'd make a mistake then move on only then to make the same mistake again; puddle dipping was fun with many trips to the grinder; I tried all types of points from sharp to blunt and in assorted tungsten sizes and types; I am fortunate though regarding aluminium because I have a friend who helps out with supply it being 1050 grade in thicknesses up to 4mm. Filler rod too isn't cheap. I've been through your learning curve and then some Gudgeon.
May I suggest you take a deep breath and start over from scratch; really inspect your kit especially for leaks and gas flow and buy a sheet of brand new 1050 aluminium; use a new tungsten; shut the world and its problems out and enjoy making all the silly mistakes; you'll learn more from your mistakes than from what you already know; Tig welding is a ballistic learning curve because so many variables are present but you'll do as I did and work through the problems one at a time with help from our forum members; I'm sure just at the point you feel like jumping from a bridge in despair it will all suddenly come together and you'll think as I did what was all the fuss about; Tig welding is rather like learning to ride a bike; fall off many times but climb back on. I've not done any Tig welding for months so when I do get round to doing more I hope I won't be starting over? Don't take it too seriously and enjoy the learning curve.
You could of course spend ages reading my introduction to Tig welding; it's better than Horlicks to put you to sleep; I'm just as stubborn as they come and too stupid to know when to quit.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/blown-my-welder-up.94007/
Kind regards, Colin.
You're most welcome Gudgeon.
I'm unsure if it's been mentioned but have you got a decent welding helmet?
Initially I tried the auto helmet I'd bought costing £35 from Rufforth Auto Jumble which was fine for arc welding but absolutely useless for Tig welding; following Hood's excellent advice I bought a new Optrel Chrystal 2.0 and what a huge difference; I could now see the weld whereas with the cheap helmet I was guessing with lots of puddle dipping. Tig welding isn't for anyone on a low tight budget because costs soon go ballistic; for the bit of actual Tig aluminium welding I've done so far I must have spent around £1,600 a lot of this on the amount of gas I used during learning; you can't skimp on pure argon gas for aluminium welding and it's not cheap but by opening the BOC account I could then relax a bit regarding gas cost and enjoy making every mistake possible a number of times each; I'd make a mistake then move on only then to make the same mistake again; puddle dipping was fun with many trips to the grinder; I tried all types of points from sharp to blunt and in assorted tungsten sizes and types; I am fortunate though regarding aluminium because I have a friend who helps out with supply it being 1050 grade in thicknesses up to 4mm. Filler rod too isn't cheap. I've been through your learning curve and then some Gudgeon.
May I suggest you take a deep breath and start over from scratch; really inspect your kit especially for leaks and gas flow and buy a sheet of brand new 1050 aluminium; use a new tungsten; shut the world and its problems out and enjoy making all the silly mistakes; you'll learn more from your mistakes than from what you already know; Tig welding is a ballistic learning curve because so many variables are present but you'll do as I did and work through the problems one at a time with help from our forum members; I'm sure just at the point you feel like jumping from a bridge in despair it will all suddenly come together and you'll think as I did what was all the fuss about; Tig welding is rather like learning to ride a bike; fall off many times but climb back on. I've not done any Tig welding for months so when I do get round to doing more I hope I won't be starting over? Don't take it too seriously and enjoy the learning curve.
You could of course spend ages reading my introduction to Tig welding; it's better than Horlicks to put you to sleep; I'm just as stubborn as they come and too stupid to know when to quit.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/blown-my-welder-up.94007/
Kind regards, Colin.
AnthonyExmouth
Member
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- 292
- Location
- Devon
Not tried Ali yet as still crap at mild steel but I thought AC was electrode + , at least a lot of youtube videos give it as that.No you don't, you just flick the switch from DC to AC.
All TIG welding has the torch on the Negative.
edit Welcome to the forum MickeyW
AnthonyExmouth
Member
- Messages
- 292
- Location
- Devon
Right then guys a quick update, after all the hassle I’ve had trying to work this out it was the GAS that was causing the problem, went to BOC and set up an account then purchased a half size bottle and the difference is night and day, thanks for all your help guys I really appreciate it .... Cheers I’m made up now
ghostdancing
Member
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- 91
- Location
- italy
i would be happy to be good enough to run this bead..
Hi,
Well done Gudgeon you got there in the end. Now you can enjoy yourself and relax.
I found Hobbyweld small cylinders ideal to get me started as a novice but with their low pressure and volume I quickly used three of these cylinders then decided to open a BOC account so now although pure argon gas is still expensive I can weld without fear of bankruptcy.
I was happy with Hobbyweld but our local Hobbyweld depot didn't stock the larger cylinder it having to be ordered; I'm pleased however to be with BOC; I was taught on BOC equipment over 50 years ago so BOC has been around a while.
Kind regards, Colin.
Well done Gudgeon you got there in the end. Now you can enjoy yourself and relax.
I found Hobbyweld small cylinders ideal to get me started as a novice but with their low pressure and volume I quickly used three of these cylinders then decided to open a BOC account so now although pure argon gas is still expensive I can weld without fear of bankruptcy.
I was happy with Hobbyweld but our local Hobbyweld depot didn't stock the larger cylinder it having to be ordered; I'm pleased however to be with BOC; I was taught on BOC equipment over 50 years ago so BOC has been around a while.
Kind regards, Colin.
