Welding Tips and Tricks

I was always taught that one of the reasons the HF was used in AC TIG was to keep the arc lit when the polarity was reversing each time. So why doesn't the arc go out in AC stick welding while not using the HF?

thanks

wtattygrys wrote:...So why doesn't the arc go out in AC stick welding while not using the HF?

thanks

Welcome!

Um, in the simplest sine-wave AC stick, the arc DOES break briefly every half-cycle. Actually, even square-wave AC has a minute "arc-break".

There's simply not enough time for the system to break down (the ionized gas cloud produced by the flux).

Steve S

arc stabilizers in the flux

HF start does work good for AC or DC stick welding. Makes it into Stickless welding

soutthpaw wrote:HF start does work good for AC or DC stick welding. Makes it into Stickless welding

True. Have a look at the arc pig, a Tesla-coil based HF starter for stick and TIG.

www.arcpig.com

Steve S

Just to see what happens/how it works, anyone ever try stick welding on tig mode with a foot pedal? Ac and dc?

dsmabe wrote:Just to see what happens/how it works, anyone ever try stick welding on tig mode with a foot pedal? Ac and dc?

People have done it....

dsmabe wrote:Just to see what happens/how it works, anyone ever try stick welding on tig mode with a foot pedal? Ac and dc?

Tried it just out of curiosity. Not really practical though. I often will strike an arc on a test piece with stinger in one hand while make adjustment to the amperage with the other just found that's an easy way to dial a machine in.

I never done it with a foot pedal, but have used my scratch start tig torch on more than one occasion to stick weld in a position where getting in and out of a bad spot was more trouble than it was worth. 3/32 7018 and had my helper switch leads.

Len