Tig Welding Stainless Steel

[langy]

I will get some pictures tonight, I'm going to give it another go and use Acetone to give the prep a good clean. Also going to construct a shield around my work area to make sure there are no drafts affecting the gas flow.

I was using 31 Amps, 308L Rods for the 304 Stainless and around 7-8 l/min gas flow, red tip tungsten.

Some of the welds were OK, but some still had pitting, just can't figure out what is inconsistent in my setup.

Not sure of the thickness material your using but 31 isn't much, I would also turn the gas down to 6, I run mine at 4 but I use CK gas saver lens, Red tungsten fine but I find the Blue lanthanated keeps its point much better.
Is the torch fittings all tight ?

 

[backpurge]

Still sounds like it's getting too hot, even if you've turned your amps right down if your travel speed is too low you'll still end up over cooking it. Remember, TIG is a high heat input process

 

[Richard.]

AC or DC? ( dont know if it would make any difference)

are the cleaning products contaminated with another metal?

Would make a huge difference. Stainless doesn't weld too good on AC.
As eschen said you shouldn't need to get carried away with cleaning products and acetone etc. not needed. A quick flash up with linisher is more than enough.

 

[eSCHEn]

AC or DC? ( dont know if it would make any difference)

Should be DC on steel mike. AC is for aluminium and magnesium.

 

[mike os]

Thought that was the case... thought i would ask to be sure tho

 

[AlanRT]

Sorted it last night, seems I wasn't getting enough Gas to the weld some how? Stripped the head down, rebuilt it and hey presto, perfect welding, even sounded different. Not sure what was stopping my gas flow to the weld?

Found the red tungsten to keep it's point really well.....well, until I touch the weld pool or the rod with it when I lose concentration or try to move round the tube.

 

[eSCHEn]

Good god was I correct about something for once?

Pleased to hear you got it sorted Alan. That cadbury's crunchie metal is horrid and spitty! DAMHIK

 

[Richard.]

Good god was I correct about something for once?

Pleased to hear you got it sorted Alan. That cadbury's crunchie metal is horrid and spitty! DAMHIK

Your a welding shark really ain't ya. No fooling us.

 

[AlanRT]

This is the sort of thing I was getting and was finding it really hard to lay my filler. Then stripped the head, cleaned the tip, reassembled and all was OK (Don't have photos of after), much easier to lay the filler and was a lot quieter too.

 

[eSCHEn]

Your a welding shark really ain't ya. No fooling us.

Lol I wish! More like a welding guppy

This is the sort of thing I was getting and was finding it really hard to lay my filler. Then stripped the head, cleaned the tip, reassembled and all was OK (Don't have photos of after), much easier to lay the filler and was a lot quieter too.

Yeah they look very porus and way too hot pal. Glad to hear things are going better now. Any chance of some bead pictures now you're sorted for gas?

 

[AlanRT]

Yeah i'll get some pictures of the better welds tonight once I've finished welding the parts together.

 

[AlanRT]

Not perfect, but it's welded up fine and exhaust is now on the car

 

[Mr shiney]

They look a little hot to me?

 

[Richard.]

They look a little hot to me?

Me too. They should be shiney. A nice gold bright run should be what is achieve and silver on the inside if you've purged it properly. That run is no longer stainless as you've cooked the Cr out of it.

 

[AlanRT]

Some were coming out like that and some gold, some rainbow Maybe moving too slow?? It's on for the time being, no doubt it'll be back off over the winter anyway, so will chop it up and build it up again, it's not a perfect fit so needs operating on, just don't have time as I'm racing on Saturday.

 

[Richard.]

Well it's an exhaust by the look of it so I wouldn't worry too much as the changes in temp etc will cover it oxides any way.

 

[AlanRT]

yes it's an exhaust. Will it corrode or be more brittle if over cooked?

 

[Richard.]

It will rust on that joint but it will become pitted and corroded over time with surface rust all over as the hot/cold temps it will get to will create further oxides throughout.

 

[AlanRT]

Oh Ok, that'll be why my old Stainless Exhaust was corroded too then. Thank you.

 

[backpurge]

If it isn't purged it can crack from the inside as well