Complete tig newbie here. I just got my first tig machine and I'm about 2 hours into learning how to actually use it. I'm having a consistent problem with a small ring of ash(?) building up about halfway up the taper. I'm pretty sure I'm not dipping; I spent the first hour or so teaching myself very diligently how to dip the tungsten with remarkable consistency. But this looks different. It starts very faint, then gets heavier and heavier. After a while I begin to get a secondary "halo" over my arc.
Any ideas what is causing this? How to prevent it?
AHP AlphaTig 200x
3/32 purple
1/16" ER70-S
100% Argon
1/8" mild steel
DC with no tricks or features
Thanks!
Tig welding tips, questions, equipment, applications, instructions, techniques, tig welding machines, troubleshooting tig welding process
needlenose
- needlenose
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Joined:Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:23 pm
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mechanic416
- mechanic416
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Joined:Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:16 pm
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Location:Clayton, Delaware
From what I see it could be you need more gas flow say 15cfh/7lpm or you need to clean the metal better. By what I mean by cleaning the metal, I can see you ground off most of the rust on top but you are welding close to the edge were it was not cleaned.
Tig needs very clean metal for good clean welds.
Your post flow should be about 5 to 7 seconds, just so your tungsten stays light gray. If its getting dark almost black you need more post flow to shield the tungsten and weld as it cools down.
Tig needs very clean metal for good clean welds.
Your post flow should be about 5 to 7 seconds, just so your tungsten stays light gray. If its getting dark almost black you need more post flow to shield the tungsten and weld as it cools down.
needlenose
- needlenose
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New Member
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Joined:Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:23 pm
Thanks guys! That's exactly what is happening; the tungsten is turning black. Right now I have 0 post flow, so I will increase it.
Is it possible to contaminate the tungsten so badly that it needs to be cut back? I have dipped or stabbed it with filler about a thousand times.
I've gotten my walk of shame down pretty good.
Is it possible to contaminate the tungsten so badly that it needs to be cut back? I have dipped or stabbed it with filler about a thousand times.
I've gotten my walk of shame down pretty good.
For being just two hours into learning how to tig weld it looks like your catching on fairly quick.. Like the other advised turn up your post flow, I'm not familiar with your power supply but it looks like you have the amperage set at 95?? Start out with 10 seconds and do a few beads and check out your tungsten if it still looks good try turning the post flow down a second or two and check again..
Pete
Pete
Pete
Esab SVI 300, Mig 4HD wire feeder, 30A spool gun, Miller Passport, Dynasty 300 DX, Coolmate 4, Spectrum 2050, C&K Cold Wire feeder WF-3, Black Gold Tungsten Sharperner, Prime Weld 225
Esab SVI 300, Mig 4HD wire feeder, 30A spool gun, Miller Passport, Dynasty 300 DX, Coolmate 4, Spectrum 2050, C&K Cold Wire feeder WF-3, Black Gold Tungsten Sharperner, Prime Weld 225
Tungsten stickout will effect the shielding and how nasty your tungsten looks. Depends on type of cup or lense, but your stickout should always be as short as possible.
Miller Dynasty 210dx
instagram: rsengineeringllc
instagram: rsengineeringllc
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