After watching various youtube videos, etc., I was lead to believe that 6010 does not run well on inverter machine and one should use 6011. I have tried (messed around with) both on DC+/AC with 3/32 and 1/8 rod and while the 6011 seems a little easier the 6010 does seem to work, but is a little roug...

To add to the dam idea; I would make some sort of below dam then put the weld on a slope with the argon entering at the low point and exiting on the high side through a smaller vent hole. Glad you brought out about argon being heavier that air. If it were just level the argon would most likely flow ...

I am going to follow this post as I really want to see what fixes the problem. I will add that I was practicing on some old aluminum (probably outside for years) and no matter what I did, or how I tried to clean it, I could not get a non-contaminated weld on it. Tried a different piece and all was f...

Thanks guys for the hole at the crack on aluminum. I am never to old to learn something new!!

What I would try (experiment?) is to make some sort of argon dam under the V and apply some purging to it (maybe heavy aluminum foil if the heat can be controlled). Also, the argon cfh should be reduced about 25% on corner and edge welds (probably heard that on a Weldmonger video).

I have a question from the replies. It was mentioned to drill holes at the crack ends, but I thought that was for cast iron. Does one do it for aluminum castings as well.
I also remember seeing some Youtube videos on welding cast aluminum, perhaps that would help you as well.

I am not a professional welder, but I am going to add my 2 cents. My problem, after experiencing something like you described, was contamination AND I am convinced it was something in the specific old steel I was welding (deep imbedded rust or something). It would be interesting to try another sampl...

Lots of good feedback to think about. Is it 110 or 220, or both? If it is 220v the current capacity of the wire size can be less. But if you use that size you most likely won't be safe running at 110. Best to wire to the worst case condition, maximum amperage. Are you going to feed direct from the m...

Want to thank all for the great information and help with this topic. It really helps when something is going wrong to get help on how to fix it when learning. Thanks again Hit-n-Miss Tom

Poland308 wrote:Did you grind the 1/8 in edge of the plate too?

Yes, all areas touching were cleaned to bare metal. Another post suggested heat may be the problem. Seems logical to me at least.

Practicing TIG welding a T-Joint weld on 1/8” steel plate/strap about 2" by 5", argon 15cfh, er70S-2, #5cup gas lens, 3/32 thoriated tungsten, about 85A, which has been cleaned down to bare metal (including the bottom edge of the vertical T) and acetone wiped, I experience the following pr...

I say I am new to welding and ask a question. So I get some honest constructive responses, and for those I say thanks. Then I get a lot of critism and smart replays from others! For those replies, Let's work on a laser printer repair where I can respond by providing smart replies to their questions....

I was practicing tig welding on 1/8" steel flat stock, had argon, cleaned metal, etc. I had welded two different lap joints without a problem. Then I cleaned the edge and surface of the two raised pieces of the lap joint (the higher ones if set down on the table) and tried a butt weld. I got ho...

Thanks, Tom

It's steel, 3/8" od square, material thickness about 3/32" hollow. Miller suggest 100~120 amps, and less for inverter.

You all are right about the information missing. The 3/8" square tube is hollow and only about 3/32" thick, and the 2" plate is 1/8" thick. Anyway, by increasing the amps to 120 max and getting a better ground to the square tube it did weld up like I expected, at least the arc we...

Found the problem; and the square was 3/32" and the 2" plate 1/8" thick, should have mentioned that important fact as well. Anyway, I turned up the amperage to 120 and did a better grounding arrangement to the vertical square tube and it welded as expected, or as best as I could for n...

I guess this is how I reply to the folks who answered my question. First - Thanks! The tungsten has been sharpened to a fairly good point (like a pencil) using a drill turning it against a diamond wheel in a parallel direction (like the videos show). All the suggestions, amps, split tungsten, good g...

:?: I am an old guy, but a newer welder who is trying to learn. I have practiced T joints like the YouTube videos suggest and sometimes it comes out ok. I just change the TIG tungsten electrode from 3/32" thoriated to 1/16" ceriated, which had a gray color painted on the end. What I was tr...

Confused on torch type cables, and new to welding as well. The torch #17 that came with the welder has one cable that carries the argon and power to the torch. Another ground separate cable to the work. I bought a #17 flex head torch, with cable attached, but it has 3 cables bundled together. One th...

Hit-&-Miss Engine hobby. Youtube taught, so far, on what little MIG, TIG and Stick that I have been able to do. Found this forum through youtube WeldingTipsandTricks video. Great help, thanks. Welding items such as engine frames/carts, cast iron repairs, etc. Hit and Miss Tom