First go at TIG, pointers please.

[monkeh]

Hey guys,

Ive been running beads for a few hours now and im getting better at my consistency but the problem im having is all the beads look dull grey and not shiny and i cant work out what im doing wrong. I think its because im to hot or not enough shielding gas maybe?
It actually looks better in the pictures but it is dull grey.

this is the back side

Im using 1.6mm blue tungsten sharpened to a point with the end flattened off and 1.6mm filler rod with a #7 cup ck gas lens and wedge collet. Ive tried different grinds on the tungsten but its not helped, ive also tried different LPM on the gas from 6 up to 12.

All metal has been cleaned with a flap disc and wiped down with brake cleaner.
metal is 3mm and ive tried running from 60amps up to 100 amps. 90 seems to be about right

Im using a parweld xti160 which only has lift start and most of the time it sticks and sometimes pulls the end on the tungsten off if its grinded to a needle point.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

 

[norlander]

Are you welding on top of the wooden surface? Re the sticking, I think I would check your return (earth or ground clamp) is good.???

On the colour, you need a more qualified bloke to comment, I'll have a guess that if you are welding on the wooden surface, you have limited heat sink effect so maybe the workpiece, being small, is heating up overall.

Maybe the brake cleaner* might cause or contribute to the colour? try a clean up with acetone to see that makes a difference. So things to try:

a-bridge workpiece off two other bits to create airgap beneath it
b-get a piece of sheet or better still plate to cover the wooden top if thats what you are welding on
c-ensure good solid return/earth/ground
d-make sure your mcahine connections are tight and in the right holes??

Those are my guessees at things to try until a more experienced bloke comes on.

* We know about the brake cleaner story and its been talked out to death-I doubt its use has any contribution to the colour, but as I don't know, because I don't use it, I just had a guess, but we don't need the death spray saga again, ta muchly.

 

[Richard.]

Is it mild steel?

 

[monkeh]

I am welding on a plank of wood which has a large 3mm sheet of steel on it which I weld on top of.
It is mild steel.

I did these earlier. Letting it cool between each one. Its shiny at the end of each bead where I leave the gas on for a few seconds. Which makes me think the rest of the bead isnt getting enough gas coverage. I don't why though. I'm not getting any draughs and I'm holding a tight arc with very little torch angle. I'm not getting any discolouring on my tungsten either.

 

[Richard.]

Ok well personally you have nothing to worry about. Your welds should look quite Matt like and grey like. Your confusing it with stainless where shiny welds are achievable.

 

[Richard.]

Don't waste gas by trying to flood it. Your shielding is fine at 6-8lpm. You'd know if you had a shielding problem as your welds would be porus and your tungsten would also be suffering.

 

[eSCHEn]

What he said ^^^^ - for mild those look absolutely fine.

 

[monkeh]

ok cool, thanks guys. I'll start sticking some bits together then.

 

[Richard.]

I do offer tuition sessions on this kinda thing for forum members that wish to travel if you feel it gets to the point where you may need it.

 

[monkeh]

Thanks Richard, i'll definitely consider it if i get stuck.

 

[norlander]

An hours one to one tuition can save you a lot of trial n error, avoid setting up a bad habit which can be a pain to get out of later, and save you gas etc. Well worth the petrol money.

And Richard might let you have a go with his watercooled jessie torch

 

[shambo]

I do offer tuition sessions on this kinda thing for forum members that wish to travel if you feel it gets to the point where you may need it.

Where are you based please?

I've just picked up a migatronic navigator 240 as my first TIG welder and I'm looking for some tuition. Thanks.

 

[Richard.]

Where are you based please?

I've just picked up a migatronic navigator 240 as my first TIG welder and I'm looking for some tuition. Thanks.

A long way from your location bud. South cambs.

 

[shambo]

A long way from your location bud. South cambs.

is there anyone in South Wales that could offer some assistance?

Sorry for the hijack OP...

 

[monkeh]

Is anyone else using a xti160 for TIG. Im having trouble with the lift start, 7 times out of 10 the tungsten just sticks and half the time i break the tip off pulling it off. Its driving my crazy and really putting me off wanting to practice.

 

[monkeh]

Ive also noticed, sometimes the workpiece vibrates while welding it, i think this might mean earthing problems which is probably also causing the problems with the lift start sticking.

 

[Richard.]

Sticking is a common problem when learning to strike lift or scratch and the vibration of your work is also caused by the same problem.
Kill 2 birds with 1 stone and clamp your work piece down properly.

 

[monkeh]

Clamping seems to have helped a bit, also just flicking the filler rod between the tungsten and job worked quite well most of the time.

Heres my first few lap joints, not great but not terrible either. They were done with 2.4mm tungsten, 1.6mm filler at 100 and 115 amps.

Im having a hard time getting in a good position where im comfortable and have a good view, probably because im welding on top of a big box with a plank of wood and a 3mm plate on it as my work bench

I'll be making a proper bench when i can afford a big bit of steel for the top.

I found it easier to do a freehand weave rather than the usual pause and dab i prefer the look too.



This was some 1mm bits i have, im not sure if its cold rolled or stainless, it is very magnetic. Its also really hard to weld without burning through. 1.6mm tungsten and filler 1 side at 40 amps other at 55

 

[monkeh]

Had a little play again today. I felt it went a bit better this time still pretty rough tho.

Now I've decided I do like welding I'm going to sell this little welder and get myself a proper ac/dc tig rig. I'll be looking to spend around 1k. I see there are a few about at this price. Jasic, rtech and sip seem to be the ones I should be looking at? Anyone use one of these machines?

 

[shambo]

R-Tech seem to be the ones to buy. I had made my mind up to buy an R-Tech unit but a Migatronic one came up at the right price. The main thing that pulled me towards R-Tech was the feedback from other people with regards to quality and warranty.