Wow, what a break from the internet. I didn't mean to just disappear. I've been welding regularly just not getting online much. That broken chair that I was welding seems to have lost it's temper and now if you lean back too far it changes the neutral point where the rocking chair rocks. Oh well, it...

That's a good idea!

That was the "W" in the failure mode. At one time I had 2 tungstens and a filler at the same time.

Yeah yeah That's what I meant.... I always do that on purpose.

Today's contaminated pool is a 309LW failure.

I think I figured out what a contaminated weld puddle looks like. This would be tungsten contamination.

Warren, Thank you too. I'm a leaner. I'll have to work on my posture to put less force on my torch hand.

Thank you.

I had not tried a T joint lately and gave one a try with a #5 cup. I was impressed by how shiny the tungsten stayed.

Love it!
I was picturing a cart with a deployable solar array and eight L16s with some huge inverters.

Practice lap #5 today.

Is this what you mean by goo? I was hoping to get another layer on this one.

That's a lot of work to get a bead at all. First a couple passes of just pushing a puddle then try to add some filler, then put that burning torch down.

OzFlo, I'll pad beads for a long time but on 3/8 stock? I don't know if a #17 torch will do that. Don't fret, the accumulated heat will soak in and allow the following passes to burn in. You won't get the penetration required for weld strength, but padding beads is more about fine motor control and...

OzFlo,
I'll pad beads for a long time but on 3/8 stock? I don't know if a #17 torch will do that.

It does feel good. I've been practicing on aluminum for a month now, I think every day.

And for today's lap joint proudly welded at 125 amps...

Today's butt.

After watching this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0thSDy_OSk
Jodi shows what the back side of a butt supposed to look like.

Here is one after washing yesterday's butt.
You can laugh at my jokes but not my welds.

Today's lap looks like...

I'll agree it's too hot to be outside much. Here's a butt weld from today. Only be constructive, not critical: I suspect that joint is pretty weak and has insufficient penetration. Examine the backside of it. And occasionally, bend the piece in your vise to test your welding. The reason I assume th...

Wow, That helped a lot. Thank you!
Picture soon,
Family time.

Here is a picture that goes with the current conversation.

LtBadd wrote:visual of what CJ737 said

end view.jpg

dot.jpg

I had been working really hard at keeping my torch at 90 where this picture shows 45 degrees.
Welds much better that way.
Thanks for the help.