how to get a straw coloured steel tig weld

[Richard.]

never quite understood these motorsport welders.

i've only ever made 1 manifold that i've put serious effort into trying to make the welds look fandango - it's the only one that ever broke
every other manifold i'd say they were good welds but the rippels are never exactly even and it's whatever colour. some mates go on about the HAZ , putting stress into it and all that, my argument is its made in a quater of the time and the whole thing is HAZ shortly after the rotary silencer joins the party for the 1st time

I do strive to make my welds look nice every time I strike an arc, I'm not too bothered about about about the pearlescent colours more the unifominities of the run.
Backpurge and Hotrodder have hit the nail on the head it's down to heat input and gas coverage which are important when welding in order to achieve proper fusion and avoid contaminants, this would be my priority with those two factors rather than pretty colours.

 

[norlander]

I do strive to make my welds look nice every time I strike an arc,

I agree, and so do I, our craft at its elementary skill, is about hand and eye co-ordination and a steady hand. A neat bead reflects that.

I'm not too bothered about about about the pearlescent colours more the unifominities of the run.

important when welding in order to achieve proper fusion and avoid contaminants, this would be my priority with those two factors rather than pretty colours.

Again I agree, a sound neat weld is my priority too-over appearance if necessary. We can admire the intricate skills of the cabinet maker, but a carpenter would be my choice for a roof truss.

The problem with debates on subjects like this, is that it can look like a case of sour grapes for those that argue something is an unecessary flourish or embellishment.
You could draw a comparison with the "kneedown" thing amongst motorcylists, when I did track days, (I have never got my knee down and never will-except when I bin it-and I do do that) I often got held up in corners by lads trying to get their knee sliders on the deck.Ditto on roundabouts on public roads.
Does a class one police motorcycle officer get his knee down during a pursuit?- nope-would you outrun him if you did?-nope. Concentrate on looking ahead and picking your line and keeping it smooth, with a delicate touch on throttle n brakes and you will produce a sound, safe ride and make swift progress amongst other road users without showing off-its called quiet efficiency.

 

[PhillipM]

wrt exhausts, I spent last weekend rewelding an exhaust that had beautiful iridescent welds on it - and half of them snapped just from vibration on the first startup.

Beautiful to look at, but barely any filler in them and no penetration at all. I welded it, on site for them, with a small cup and no purge, ended up with it uniform but a dull gray. Customer complained it wasn't as good as the old welding.....that would be the old welding that just broke in 10 seconds then would it?
The internet is at the root of a lot of problems when it comes to shiny pictures!

 

[whensparksfly]

this turned out to be a great thread. The way I see it is it would be great to have the look and the weld strength but for motorsport strength should be first on the list .I do agree all these internet picture are great to look at but how long etc was spent to get that one great photo.

 

[The welding angel]

It's mainly down to keeping heat input as low as possible and ensuring an efficient gas shield.

And what about lots of power with fast welding... Works for me...

 

[Kent]

Very much in the wanna colour then paint it club myself. The time I have spent in the past polishing welds on some things so they looked like they were folded not welded and now people want a certain colour to a weld, a stack of dimes look to the bead etc.

 

[Kent]

wrt exhausts, I spent last weekend rewelding an exhaust that had beautiful iridescent welds on it - and half of them snapped just from vibration on the first startup.

Beautiful to look at, but barely any filler in them and no penetration at all. I welded it, on site for them, with a small cup and no purge, ended up with it uniform but a dull gray. Customer complained it wasn't as good as the old welding.....that would be the old welding that just broke in 10 seconds then would it?
The internet is at the root of a lot of problems when it comes to shiny pictures!

Classic

 

[langy]

I did mention earlier that they flood with gas but it fell on deaf ears obviously

 

[langy]

This was done using a Synchrowave and large gas cup

 

[Richard.]

That's stainless.
Much easier to get that colour than in steel.
Look nice mate.

 

[langy]

That's stainless.
Much easier to get that colour than in steel.
Look nice mate.

Cant see the point in trying to get the colours in normal steel Richard

 

[Richard.]

Cant see the point in trying to get the colours in normal steel Richard

I cannot see the point in trying to get pretty colours period. If they appear they appear I won't go to lengths of massive gas shrouds and low heat to achieve it. I'll just weld it properly and clean it up.

 

[backpurge]

Leave the oxide colours and there is a good chance they will rust eventually anyway

 

[Richard.]

Leave the oxide colours and there is a good chance they will rust eventually anyway

Unless painted which again makes it a pointless exercise.

 

[haunted_sausage]

And what about lots of power with fast welding... Works for me...

That's how you keep your heat input down.... Like the guy said keep your heat Input down. IE high amps and fast travel soeed