Newbie now with TIG.

[dazza]

This is the question
Why are you getting bad starts at 140 amps? That just shouldn't be happening.
The metal is lovely and clean.
Does it strike in dc without any issues

No issues at all with DC. I will keep at it for now i only have 3 pieces of the ally left i may cut them with slitting disc and try sticking them together.

 

[Richard.]

I'd just use one of those plates to strike up on while playing with the settings
It must be linked to the hf not been strong enough to strike with a balled electrode. Tell you what Would be a nice thing to try. Run a bead on ac and get a ball on the tungsten. Then switch over to dc and try to strike on dc with a balled electrode. If it strikes up no issues then the problem is linked to the ac side of things . If it fails then the issue lies with hf not been able to strike up with a balled tungsten.

 

[addjunkie]

Decided to have a fiddle with the buttons upped the amps to 150 usually its at 140, seemed to help with the start providing i thump the pedal and have hardly and gap between the tungsten and ally.

.

This line caught my eye. If you un plug the pedal and use a torch switch, how does it start up in Ac. So youll be getting the full amount of amps you have the machine set up after your upslope time.

 

[Richard.]

This line caught my eye. If you un plug the pedal and use a torch switch, how does it start up in Ac. So youll be getting the full amount of amps you have the machine set up after your upslope time.

Nice thinking

 

[dazza]

This line caught my eye. If you un plug the pedal and use a torch switch, how does it start up in Ac. So youll be getting the full amount of amps you have the machine set up after your upslope time.

Not put the switch on the wp18 torch yet, going to have another mess about with the settings today down to 40 bar gas now .

 

[dazza]

OK think i'm getting somewhere. Chasing a better start i moved towards the negative side of the balance.

Some testing with no filler there is soot until i get to +15 on the balance.

A few test runs, things are not as smooth as usual but no soot at the start of the welds.

Tried to stick some 4mm together.

Settings

Think i needed more amps and less filler, it was ok until i slapped the tungsten with the filler.

 

[Richard.]

You'll probably eliminate the starting up soot by a couple of things (balance shouldn't be used to do this.).
Set a preflow gas time of 1-2 seconds maybe if needed.
Always a tight arc
Don't introduce any filler at all until that pool is completely developed and ready for it. Any filler that melts across the arc is almost certainly going to give you a sooty mess at start up.
The striking is probably helped by going further into the EN on the balance because it's less likely to change the shape of the electrode and there for holding its point better it's able to strike up. You could confirm this by striking up in dc with a heavy balled tungsten. I'd imagine it would struggle with that but would be nice to know.

 

[dazza]

Thanks Richard.

So this is not down to the balance? no filler added. Is there preflow with the pedal? What about tapping pedal first then arcing up?

 

[dazza]

Just found this in the manual from the dc only model.
Note: The gas pre-flow time can be infinitely adjusted internally from 0.2-5 s.

 

[Richard.]

Just found this in the manual from the dc only model.
Note: The gas pre-flow time can be infinitely adjusted internally from 0.2-5 s.

Now that's interesting...
pre flow offers all sorts of wonderful things to make our starts nicer.
2 of those things are
1) Having sufficient gas present to carry the hf to the job
2) provides proper inert protection befor the arc is struck to avoid contamination.
The fact that you haven't set any preflow (I didn't know this) could be contributing or even completely causing your start up issues.
Next test daz.
Set a long post flow.
Do a weld
Once you stop and the gas is still pouring out strike it up again to simulate a pre flow. Are things cleaner, does it strike better??? Let me know. If so then read up how you set a pre flow inside.

 

[dazza]

Now that's interesting...
pre flow offers all sorts of wonderful things to make our starts nicer.
2 of those things are
1) Having sufficient gas present to carry the hf to the job
2) provides proper inert protection befor the arc is struck to avoid contamination.
The fact that you haven't set any preflow (I didn't know this) could be contributing or even completely causing your start up issues.
Next test daz.
Set a long post flow.
Do a weld
Once you stop and the gas is still pouring out strike it up again to simulate a pre flow. Are things cleaner, does it strike better??? Let me know. If so then read up how you set a pre flow inside.

Already been on to EWM and changed the pre flow (it was set to minimum which i think is 0.2 seconds) set to 5 seconds at first no change on start or soot. Set it to about a second now. Switched the number 6 cup to number 8 and its behaving better no more soot. Still stuggling with the start but i can manage. .

 

[dazza]

Had enough of practising on plate.

Pulled some very rough bits of ally out of the scrap bin.

Set up like this

Please cover the eyes of small children and pets.

Yep i know absolutely awful but considering the ally was manky the welds look rather clean and no problems starting even when the tungsten was completely balled and blue.

 

[addjunkie]

I would call that real progress, also some good learnings.

Another learning is to always have clean toe nails and underwear when welding in shorts and flip flops, just incase you chop your toe of with the grinder and end up in hospital

 

[dazza]

I would call that real progress, also some good learnings.

Another learning is to always have clean toe nails and underwear when welding in shorts and flip flops, just incase you chop your toe of with the grinder and end up in hospital

I could do with a big bucket of off cuts. Plus another bottle of gas.

Not going to bother with beads on plate any more.
When miging i put jeans and boots on but with tig just tuck my feet under the bench . I do put a long sleeve army top on though what ever the weather.

 

[dazza]

Here is the pot to adjust the pre flow just incase anyone is interested. Right on the back of the main control panel.

Top left. Why not put it on the outside .

 

[Brad93]

I'd say youe got some sort of tungsten or gas issue. Have you tried a completely new quality tungsten?

 

[Brad93]

See the knob top right. Try altering that. That is EP start. Gives you a longer EP time when you arc up. I set mine to 50%

 

[dazza]

Tried two new tungsten today (grey), and used whats left of a blue MultiStrike.

 

[Richard.]

Post flow is way too low also. That's why your tungstens are blue and again will be contributing to the poor starts. You need at least 6 seconds on the lowest current and I'd say closer to 10 for what your welding.

 

[dazza]

See the knob top right. Try altering that. That is EP start. Gives you a longer EP time when you arc up. I set mine to 50%

If i set that more than 1 the tungsten explodes all the way back to the cup.