Welding Tips and Tricks

Hello, I have a question about tig puddles on steel. What is that bright spot/dot in a tig puddle? I can see it wander around the center of the puddle and am assuming that is where the energy is focused. Should I worry that it wanders? Is there anything to learn from it?
At one point I thought it was a reflection of the electrode but then I noticed it wanders.
Thanks for the help!

It's called the devil's eye. Guys doing a root pass will be looking for and wanting to see its presence.
Despite what others may think, I suspect it's contaminants and de-oxidizers from the filler rod,
floating up to and concentrating on the top of the balled puddle.

dave powelson wrote:It's called the devil's eye. Guys doing a root pass will be looking for and wanting to see its presence.
Despite what others may think, I suspect it's contaminants and de-oxidizers from the filler rod,
floating up to and concentrating on the top of the balled puddle.

Thanks for the info! I did some research into the Devil's Eye, and it makes sense.
Thank you Dave P.

Watching it is very important if your doing thin wall ss process tube with fusion only no filler. How it moves and the size will allow you to determine if your getting full penetration.

Poland308 wrote:Watching it is very important if your doing thin wall ss process tube with fusion only no filler. How it moves and the size will allow you to determine if your getting full penetration.

Thank you Poland! Very interesting that a tiny little dot/little detail that I bet plenty of welders brush off as insignificant can give quite an insight!

I imagine Rick or others who do lots of it will or would be able to expound much more on the topic.