Stainless welds. Critique it!

admin

I'll be honest, I've been trying some stainless butt welds at school and seem to get more colorful welds there than at home. I thought it was the difference between inverters vs transformers, but maybe not. So I bought some sch10 stainless because I would like to build a turbo manifold..for a car. Not sure whos, but figured they are $5 a pipe so I bought a box of 20 and it would give me good practice. HTP221 tig welder.These were done no higher than 80 amps.No pulse. 1/16th lanthanted, 9 torch,  gas lens, #8 cup. No up slope, no down slope, no fancy anything. Just straight DC. Preflow set to .5 and post set to 5seconds, regulator was at 20cfh (off the pedal so probably 18cfh while on it). No backpurging. And all single passes.I tried a few of these before and they all turn out grey and like crap. Teacher gave me a stainless project to do and it came out well so I decided to go back at it. I have literally welded less than 10 of these together in total so I'm still very new to stainless pipe.Here is what I ended up today. Attached ImagesLast edited by Gamble; 04-21-2013 at 10:16 PM.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:More pics Attached ImagesTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:The welds look good just a bit hot imo. Try around 65 amps thats what I usually run at on such small pipe.
Reply:All of them? Also looking inside the pipe there is no sugaring so it didn't penetrate all the way. So still too hot?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:this is not bad at all, the stops need a bit of work ..."jiggle" the torch a bit and ofc the penetration but that is just trial&error--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Your in the game now Gamble, looking good. Just keep fine tuning it and your gonna get where you wanted to go! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Thanks guys!So move the torch back and forth for starts and stops?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks guys!So move the torch back and forth for starts and stops?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleAll of them? Also looking inside the pipe there is no sugaring so it didn't penetrate all the way. So still too hot?
Reply:Try using one size larger filler rod and increasing current slightly. If you want to get full-pen, try increasing the root gap ever so slightly.I see a little bit of underfill in some places but that's not a big deal (inspectors don't like that.) Overall it looks good. Once you get your bead appearance looking consistently good, the next step is to increase your speed.If you're not back-purging some of the color may be due to some air on the inside leaking though the joint and mixing with the shield.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarIt is always a combination of voltage and amperage that produce what we weldors recognize as "heat" at the base metal.  Amperage alone simply cannot produce heat because it is voltage that has to push amperage through a circuit.  Volts x Amps = Power (THIS is heat).
Reply:Josh, while that was interesting reading, what point were you trying to convey specifically?Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by JoshfromsaltlakeThe temperature of the arc also depends on current density so the arc is hottest near the point of the tungsten. A longer, wider arc is actually cooler in the area where it touches the metal.  Keep in mind that a longer wire has more electrical resistance than a shorter one.
Reply:Originally Posted by JoshfromsaltlakeIncreasing the arc length does indeed increase the total power consumption and increase voltage. So, I would argue what that does is forces the current to waste additional work in maintaining a larger, longer, less conductive arc.
Reply:My brain hurts.Less physic talk more English.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleAll of them? Also looking inside the pipe there is no sugaring so it didn't penetrate all the way. So still too hot?
Reply:Thanks Moose!Yes there is a bevel. I'll get a pic for you. I tried a cap pass on some stainless at school tonight and those seem to turn out more grey/dull looking. Teacher said it's normal for a cap pass. Do they make a #12 cup for a 9/20 torch gas lens? I think I'm using a #8 currently.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks Moose!Yes there is a bevel. I'll get a pic for you. I tried a cap pass on some stainless at school tonight and those seem to turn out more grey/dull looking. Teacher said it's normal for a cap pass. Do they make a #12 cup for a 9/20 torch gas lens? I think I'm using a #8 currently.
Reply:Nope it was cold.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:First attempt ever at vertical anything. Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:if you direct your filler to the top leading edge it will flow out to the lower edgeMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:I kept the tungsten on the bottom part and would "U" up and dip then back down. I will have to build something to try this at home.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks Moose!Yes there is a bevel. I'll get a pic for you. I tried a cap pass on some stainless at school tonight and those seem to turn out more grey/dull looking. Teacher said it's normal for a cap pass. Do they make a #12 cup for a 9/20 torch gas lens? I think I'm using a #8 currently.
Reply:Thanks, but there is no such thing as a stubby gas lens kit for a 9/20 torch.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks, but there is no such thing as a stubby gas lens kit for a 9/20 torch.I think what you are referring to is what I am using.This is the exact kit I boughthttp://www.ebay.com/itm/TIG-welding-...item2ea4780149Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:No that looks to be a standard gas lens. They make "jumbo" ones that are much larger. A #8 cup is 1/2". Looking at the cup in your link, I'd say those are the same "standard" gas lenses I have for a 20 series torch.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...1566_1568_1573Your gas lens is the one shown on the left. The "jumbo" one is the one shown center on that page..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks, but there is no such thing as a stubby gas lens kit for a 9/20 torch.
Reply:You can even turn the cup around and have a 1 1/4'' (have to measure it) opening... Attached ImagesLincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:CMI makes a 1'' shorty gas lens cup... it's about $40 though for a single cup Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Hey that's pretty cool!It's like a 17 gas lens on a 9/20 torch.Did some more practice tonight. 133 amps, 20cfh (ish), 1/16th gold tungsten, #9 cup with gas lens, 308L 1/16th filler. No pulse or anything.First pic is a first pass. Last 2 pictures are cover passes. One was on a previous piece I welded last time.I find weaving the torch back and forth to be easier especially on a cover pass. Attached ImagesLast edited by Gamble; 05-04-2013 at 01:10 AM.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer