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SS sheet metal
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 2:11 pm
by Greg From K/W
I am wondering how you guys get your ss welds to look so shiny. My welds look decent but they are dull no shine at all. I run my argon at about 15 so that there is no turbulance. I have to run now look forward to hearing.
Re: SS sheet metal
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:02 am
by steeldr.
I don't have any videos or pics to download, but I can give you a few pointers that might help you get a better looking weld on ss sheetmetal; try using more amperage and increase the travel speed. next. shorten the tungsten stickout and lead the torch aprox. 7-10 deg. next, be sure to clean both the base metal and filler wire.
The reason for a faster travel speed is to keep the base metal as cool as possible as it leaves the argon coverage from the torch........hope this helps. ron
Re: SS sheet metal
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:10 am
by TRACKRANGER
Greg From K/W wrote:I am wondering how you guys get your ss welds to look so shiny. My welds look decent but they are dull no shine at all. I run my argon at about 15 so that there is no turbulance. I have to run now look forward to hearing.
Fronius make a device called a "MagicCleaner" that electromechanically cleans SS. I used one once, and was suitably impressed.
This picture is a sample piece of 1.6mm stainless. After the weld, the purple oxide discoloration continued along the entire length.
Then one end of the weld was given a single wipe with the cleaner nozzle (a few seconds). This was perhaps 2 or 3 years ago.
These pictures (taken today) shows exactly how the weld remained ever since.
- P1040100.JPG (22.78 KiB) Viewed 782 times
- P1040101.JPG (21.88 KiB) Viewed 780 times
Re: SS sheet metal
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:14 am
by TRACKRANGER
Some statistics on the above weld:
External Corner Fillet of Stainless Flat
7 L/min Argon
Electrode 1.6 Tungsten. 35 Amps DC
Material 1.6 Stainless Steel sheet
Filler Rod: 1.6mm dia stainless
HTH, Trev
Re: SS sheet metal
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:56 pm
by jrogers80
I am having the same problem and I do not have a gas lens or a monster cup so I tried sticking stiles steel wool in my cup to diffuse the gas and it seemed to help a little but my beads were still dark and light gray. But if I rub them with a rag they shine up considerably. I am new to tig welding and still experimenting.
Re: SS sheet metal
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:51 am
by Rick_H
A lot has to do with amperage, total heat input and travel speed. While I prefer my gas lens a regular lens setup works just fine and will net that purple/ gold color.
I use Wondergel by Derustit for Pickling all my stainless welds, pulls the color right out and preserves the weld/stainless properties.