Starting to get really frustraited with Ali TIG welds, can't figure out the problem?

[Hopefuldave]

Have you checked it's not the gas hose from welder to torch? They can get porous or crack with age.
Any way you can do a "leak down" test - maybe put a pressure gauge (even a U-bend of clear pipe, filled with water would do) on the gas hose or the welder's pipe spigot feeding the torch, flick the trigger so some gas escapes, watch to see whether the level drops - the leak could be upstream of torch and hoses, inside the machine itself.

 

[tom2207]

Out of idle curiosity, I decided to hook up my 5% MIG gas to see how it compares to the "Pure Argon" i have.

View attachment 412642

As expected, its much worse. So i think its a case of slight contamination of the pure argon rather than a gas mix inside the cylinder. Instant tungsten contamination on this one.

I did mention that lol

 

[AdventuresInMetal]

I did mention that lol

Oh so do you did, sorry I somehow completely missed that post.

 

[AdventuresInMetal]

Have you checked it's not the gas hose from welder to torch? They can get porous or crack with age.
Any way you can do a "leak down" test - maybe put a pressure gauge (even a U-bend of clear pipe, filled with water would do) on the gas hose or the welder's pipe spigot feeding the torch, flick the trigger so some gas escapes, watch to see whether the level drops - the leak could be upstream of torch and hoses, inside the machine itself.

Yes, I have been over every inch of hose and fittings between the neck of the cylinder and the tip of the torch with leak detector, including inside the machine. It's not a leak anywhere. It was my first troubleshooting step, i've spent hours on this so far. Also with the gas cylinder shut off, the secondary side of the regulator never drops even after a week so there are definately no leaks between the cylinder and the solenoid, and like i've said, i've tested the torch and hose too.

 

[prepman]

What's the base metal...not piece of cast ali?

 

[tom2207]

What's the base metal...not piece of cast ali?

he did a gas cover test and it was manky too ... it was on a fresh lump of metal.

 

[prepman]

he did a gas cover test and it was manky too ... it was on a fresh lump of metal.

My ali welds aren't brilliant. 30-40% cleaning cycle. But that looks like carbon? (soot) Contaminated hose? Bad gas (oil lube compressor)
Back in the 80's in Norway commissioning HC analysers I found Norsk Hydro had contaminated their air cylinders using an oil lube compressor whilst the oil free was fixed. So even a Gas supply can f'up. I worked for one for 30yrs.

 

[Ubique]

Yes, I have been over every inch of hose and fittings between the neck of the cylinder and the tip of the torch with leak detector, including inside the machine. It's not a leak anywhere. It was my first troubleshooting step, i've spent hours on this so far. Also with the gas cylinder shut off, the secondary side of the regulator never drops even after a week so there are definately no leaks between the cylinder and the solenoid, and like i've said, i've tested the torch and hose too.

Leak detector spray will only work with a positive pressure in the system under test. Unless you've closed off the torch end somehow, there won't be enough pressure in the pipework for it to 'show' but if there is a leak, it will act as a venturi and draw air in quite happily.

 

[Cheesie]

The only gas supplier I trust is boc, I've had too many bad bottles, Infact I have one lying out the back now.

 

[AdventuresInMetal]

Leak detector spray will only work with a positive pressure in the system under test. Unless you've closed off the torch end somehow, there won't be enough pressure in the pipework for it to 'show' but if there is a leak, it will act as a venturi and draw air in quite happily.

i know

i'm 99.999 percent sure its not any of the gas or torch equipment, everything has been degreased/cleaned and dried out, i've tried a different regulator, i've tried the new hose off my mig, after purging a bunch of argon through it, i've pressure tested the torch and hose assembly by blocking off the shroud and filling it was gas and spraying everything down with leak detector, including the hose and solenoid inside the welder, there is not a hint of any bubble when under pressure so I just can't see there being any air getting drawn in anywhere. I'm going to pick up another cylinder tomorrow from a different supplier and we will go from there.

 

[Munkul]

don't take this the wrong way, but it is an rtech... they are known for sometimes having problems (which are fixed due to their famous customer service)
... it could still be some internal hardware, or a contaminated hose...

but yes at this stage it's definitely worth trying a different gas cylinder.

 

[doubleboost]

don't take this the wrong way, but it is an rtech... they are known for sometimes having problems (which are fixed due to their famous customer service)
... it could still be some internal hardware, or a contaminated hose...

but yes at this stage it's definitely worth trying a different gas cylinder.

I thought the anti R Teck would have to be mentioned. It is a Chinese inverter like most of them now .
I fail how to see how your comment could not taken the Wrong way.
The lad is asking for our help . Not a sly dig at R Tech .

 

[tom2207]

I thought the anti R Teck would have to be mentioned. It is a Chinese inverter like most of them now .
I fail how to see how your comment could not taken the Wrong way.
The lad is asking for our help . Not a sly dig at R Tech .

maybe a peek inside the lid for loose hose joints on solenoid , after the options weve all gone through on this thread , and the effort put in , its gone long past the sly dig thing , I think we are all curious now to find the issue and see the resolution.

 

[doubleboost]

maybe a peek inside the lid for loose hose joints on solenoid , after the options weve all gone through on this thread , and the effort put in , its gone long past the sly dig thing , I think we are all curious now to find the issue and see the resolution.

I think he has soap tested all the internal bits and the gas valve

 

[addjunkie]

So, its a fairly small cup, is he in a draughty area……inside or outside?

 

[doubleboost]

I will try some argo shield on my tig set now

 

[tom2207]

I think he has soap tested all the internal bits and the gas valve

lol ,,, ive lost track of whats been tried now ,,, not much left to try
gas tomorrow will be the big reveal I think.

 

[doubleboost]

3 mill clean alloy 80 amps 25 % balance 80 hertz
top weld pure argon
bottom weld 5 % co2 mix "argoshield

Top weld 3 mill stainless 80 amp dc no filler rod pure argon
Bottom weld argoshield 5

 

[AdventuresInMetal]

Thanks for doing that, and making a sacrifice to the tungsten gods.

Though it's surprising how shiny that argoshield 5 weld is in comparison to mine.

 

[Munkul]

I thought the anti R Teck would have to be mentioned. It is a Chinese inverter like most of them now .
I fail how to see how your comment could not taken the Wrong way.
The lad is asking for our help . Not a sly dig at R Tech .

Its a fact, not a dig. I'm well aware that they're generally good machines and well liked. But there are plenty people who have raved about their customer service... Because they needed it.
Also i think I've been pretty helpful all told