Thread: Tig Erratic Arc

Hi Everyone,

I currently use a tig with a 17 torch and gas lens. Of late I notice it harder to keep the tungsten clean and when I pulled the torch apart, I found the mesh on the lens was spattered with fragments. Could this be a cause? I also notice the arc often has a greenish hue to it.

Any advice appreciated.

Alan

Something is definitely going wrong. What do you think the fragments are? What has changed in your parameters/consumables/procedure?

It will help if you tell us about the metal you were welding. Details on your machine might help too. If its old there may be leaking O rings and it may be admitting into the cover gas, which will cause problems.

Erratic arc could be from the tungsten diameter being too large. Are you welding aluminium?

I have had green arc tinge in aluminium silicon alloy in the past.

Is the metal clean? Brushing with a dedicated s steel brush for ali only is required.

Grahame

Now you mention it, someone gave me a piece of what I thought was plain ally to repair a crack, but it spat and spluttered and gave way far too quickly. I landed up braising it. It may have been that..

I am getting new collets and gas lens body today so will test it out, the torch itself is only a few months old, so I doubt a leak in it atm

Thanks
Alan

All confirmed, not sure what the deposit is, but after replacing it, the tungsten remains clean and my arc is as it should be. I learn every day