Welding Tips and Tricks

If I start a weld on steel and stop about 2 inches its beautiful. When I restart or don't stop it ends up grey. I know Its too hot. Is it a balance between speed and heat, am I going to slow? I try to concentrate on good penetration ,puddle flow, and eliminating undercuts. What am I missing? example .120 to .120 tee weld 1/8 tungsten 1/8 filler #8 with gas lense 15cfh 135 amps 200dx. I am still somewhat of a noob when I was in school my instructors were more focused on penetration than anything else. I have seen some beautiful steel welds so I know I have more to learn.

pro mod steve wrote:If I start a weld on steel and stop about 2 inches its beautiful. When I restart or don't stop it ends up grey. I know Its too hot. Is it a balance between speed and heat, am I going to slow? I try to concentrate on good penetration ,puddle flow, and eliminating undercuts. What am I missing? example .120 to .120 tee weld 1/8 tungsten 1/8 filler #8 with gas lense 15cfh 135 amps 200dx. I am still somewhat of a noob when I was in school my instructors were more focused on penetration than anything else. I have seen some beautiful steel welds so I know I have more to learn.

use a bigger cup, i use a 1 1/16" cup, 26-28cfh, 176-200 amps, 3/32 tungsten (ceriated), 1/16 filler, 5 beads at a time, slowly let off the arc to prevent getting a fish eye aka dimple

thats what it took to make the above weld is that the color you are looking to get??

How much time do you have set for pre-flow and post flow. Are you keeping the torch over the end of your weld for a few seconds or until the heat dies down a bit?
And on your re-start set your pre-flow for at least a few seconds to make sure you are getting coverage.
Gary