Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Carlton, Melbourne
    Posts
    1

    Default TIG was working fine. Now this...

    Hoping for some advice. I tried some TIG welding on my inverter last year and it worked well. However, I've just set it up again in exactly the same way and the welding arc is terrible! The torch, the machine, everything is the same as it was last year. The only new element is the gas, a brand new bottle of argon.


    As you can see from my image, the weld is terrible. The arc drifts around, it's noisy and the steel just melts, regardless of how high the amps are. Here's my set up -



    • DC inverter
    • Earth clamp positive
    • Pure Argon around 6 lpm (measured with flow meter)
    • Amps around 100 but I've tried altering it and it's still erratic

    Everything is clean, there's no leaks...My gut feeling is that it's the gas as it's the only new element in the set up. I've called the gas supplier and they've never heard of a mix up before.


    Any help would be much appreciated as I've wasted 2 days on this.


    ThanksUntitled.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    Do you have a mig welder with argon mix? If so, could you try swapping the cylinders, either try the argon on mig and see if that works OK, or swap the mix onto the tig and see if it is wrong the same way.

    That might confirm or clear the gas as an issue.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Newcastle, AU
    Posts
    238

    Default

    If mine looked like that I'd check that I remembered to turn the gas on, then check that I cleaned the metal properly. It's usually one of the two for me...

    One time the shop did give me 5/2 instead of pure argon, it looked more bubbly than that but worth noting.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    Make sure all your connections (torch lead & earth lead) are secure on the welder, that your tungsten has a clean grind on it and that your using a copper coated tig filler rod. You say that you measured your gas flow with a flow meter, I'm taking that as meaning you used one of these Argon co2 gas flow meter scale tester flowmeter for mig welder tig welder FE uu | eBay at the end of the torch itself then if so your flow rate should be okay. If your flow rate isn't enough then really you should start burning the tungsten away as it'll get hot. Apart from that I agree with you that the gas is contaminated or the wrong gas mix.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default Tig trouble

    Hi from the old goat.
    If your using up to 100A 6ltr/min is a bit low. Cup size of 10mm or larger and tungsten out past the cup by 1/2 dia of cup bore. Make sure your torch angle is 15 deg off vertical and pushing the arc. Bring the gas up to 8-10 ltr and check the O ring on the back cap. I have seen on a cheap torch the rubber around the head de vulcanise? When the gas was turned on the head swelled up and allowed air to get in.
    What size tungsten are you using? Could we have pics of the torch parts?
    Regards
    BC

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi kenbartos

    Welcome to the Metalwork Forum.

    To explore the other areas of our forum here's a guide on to to navigate our Forum and find all the goodies.

    Goto the FORUM box in the top left hand cnr of the page and click the down arrow. This will bring up a pull down menu that has Forum Home at the top

    Click Forum Home which will present a scroll down page entitled Forums and members help.
    Our rules,the Terms of Service are right at the top ,we encourage to read them.

    Below that are all the various areas and subforums that make up our MetalWork forums.

    Regarding the gas problem. Either a mis labeled cylinder or a shielding gas leak. Check the line right back to the cylinder regulator with soapy water.
    A leak at a connector,or an O ring or seal draws air in and can give that appearance in the weld bead.

    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rockhampton, QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    454

    Default

    Welcome to the forum.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Can tell you now, if you are buying from a reputable supplier, chances are it's not the gas.

    What tungsten stickout?
    What diameter tungsten, and what 'flavour'- ceriated, zirconiated, etc (check tungsten tip colour)?
    What was your cleaning regime for the material before you started welding?

    Some tungsten types are polarity sensitive.
    Too much tungsten stickout from the collett body and outside the cup, will take the arc out of the shielding gas envelope (gives a dirty weld).
    Same as above applies for too long an arc.
    Too low an amperage for the tungsten size can also make a sooty finish. For 100A, aim for a 1.6 up to 2.4 tungsten. 3.2 is too big.

Similar Threads

  1. WIA fine voltage switch
    By LordBug in forum ELECTRICALS
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11th Aug 2019, 09:50 PM
  2. How to cut very fine channels in copper?
    By Digital in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 21st Nov 2017, 01:21 PM
  3. Small OD / fine thread on 4140 pre hard
    By StrayAlien in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 5th Mar 2017, 05:53 PM
  4. Cutting very fine threads
    By funkychicken in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12th Oct 2008, 06:55 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •