Look at my welds. Help.

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Harbor freight 110v arc with tig attachment. No foot control.Gas set to 16-183/32 tungsten, red tipTurned the heat down to 40amps and went slower.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: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:Gamble, maybe try butt welding two plates together. Get some 1/8 scrap that butts up together, clean the material real well and do a small bevel on each side. Once you figure out heat settings a little better, for the most part (at least for me) my good tig welds are consistant as far as moving the torch and you dip filler like this.  -     -     -     -     -  cleanliness of the metal and consistancy is key when you try and make a nice tig weld, as long as you have the heat right to ensure penetration!HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:What kind of gas are you using. Should be 100% argon. Torch angle may be too much on the last half of the weld and bringing in oxygen into the puddle.Last edited by too many toys; 03-16-2011 at 12:05 PM.2008 Dodge 1Ton 2007 Lincoln 200D Pipelinerkubota with throttle controlMiller Dynasty 200dxLincoln 200 Powermigspoolgun
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanGamble, maybe try butt welding two plates together. Get some 1/8 scrap that butts up together, clean the material real well and do a small bevel on each side. Once you figure out heat settings a little better, for the most part (at least for me) my good tig welds are consistant as far as moving the torch and you dip filler like this.  -     -     -     -     -  cleanliness of the metal and consistancy is key when you try and make a nice tig weld, as long as you have the heat right to ensure penetration!
Reply:It looks like you got too cold and didnt wait until you saw a puddle.I would wait a few more minutes and dip and then move slowly and not to close to the puddle. it also looks like you touched the metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by technomasterIt looks like you got too cold and didnt wait until you saw a puddle.I would wait a few more minutes and dip and then move slowly and not to close to the puddle. it also looks like you touched the metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by technomasterIt looks like you got too cold and didnt wait until you saw a puddle.I would wait a few more minutes and dip and then move slowly and not to close to the puddle. it also looks like you touched the metal.
Reply:and to the OP i would suggest getting some 1/8 mild steel  about six inches long and practice on that running a bead with no filler from end to end over and over agian untill you  get used to puddle control then after you get that try adding filler get that down before you venture onto anything thinner ...Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by technomasterIt looks like you got too cold and didnt wait until you saw a puddle.I would wait a few more minutes and dip and then move slowly and not to close to the puddle. it also looks like you touched the metal.
Reply:puddle should form in 1 second. your arc length is toolong, get the tip of the tungsten 1/8" from the steel..get a grinder and grind the scale off the steel, wipe it with acetone on a rag..
Reply:The lack of heat control is going to make learning very difficult.Some of the welds in the pictures have small sections that look pretty good.  The problem is that just before those sections you have overlap (not enough heat) followed by sections were it looks like a wide, uncontrolled lava flow (too much heat - or maybe just how you broke the arc).To manage the heat you will  have to1) adjust your speed.  Start slow, start moving faster.2) adjust how fast you dip.   The addition of filler will actually cool the puddle a little.3) as you get toward the end of a particular piece of steel, the heat will have no place to go and you will need to go even faster yet (good luck!).4) On a decent welder, you can get a little more heat by holding a slightly longer arc.  If you have your machine maxed out it might not be able to keep up.  Longer arc means more heat, shorter arc means less heat.You might be able to find on the Internet people who have modified that machine to at least give you a remote contactor and maybe even remote power control.  Of course to do these things right might ramp up the cost of the machine to the point you could have bought something else instead.Oh, one last thing about practicing.  You are doing what I did and its a bad habit.  Practice on a slightly larger piece, flat, and draw lines on that piece.  First, just follow a line, next draw two lines and make the puddle stay between the lines.   When you weld free hand, I can tell you are not learning how to move your hands.  You are doing quick, 3" welds which is probably about how far you can move your hand.  I would say 5" minimum.   For now, stay away from the edges.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Good stuff. I'll do that tonight and take pics.Btw I made a tig torch holder. lol I still have to mount it. I was at the store and saw this and got an idea and $2 later.Squeezed it together and welded it.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 con_fuse9Oh, one last thing about practicing.  You are doing what I did and its a bad habit.  Practice on a slightly larger piece, flat, and draw lines on that piece.  First, just follow a line, next draw two lines and make the puddle stay between the lines.   When you weld free hand, I can tell you are not learning how to move your hands.  You are doing quick, 3" welds which is probably about how far you can move your hand.  I would say 5" minimum.   For now, stay away from the edges.
Reply:A couple other things which might help us give you some advice.  Provide pictures of your torch tip.  That way we can guage your stickout and see how your tungsten is ground.  Also, what cup size are you using?--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:No problem I'll get some pics. I am using a number 6 cup. Sometimes I still get a huge flame coming out of it. Also side note: Where can I find a how to on back purging setup for stainless with 1 tank? I went to weld something that was SS for my car today and DOH used the wrong rod. So I just made a small hole. All I wanted was a tack. Oh well.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:Some more of today. I finished off my tank so I can get a fresh one and bigger.This was all on SS today. I seem to be getting better results with SS for some reason.My stickout: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:Just a quick note...grind your tungsten horizontally, not laterally.  The grind marks should be straight to the point...--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Good Grief!!All that spatter on your cup is NO GOOD.Bad gas coverage will do that..Crappy material will do that..No gas and the metal boils and splat's itself all over everything...Yeah........"Splat"..Looks more like you had no gas at all at times..Or a good wind got in the way..The metal itself ...Well more time is needed..Get to BARE metal and clean it good and try again..These first pics are exhaust tubing and you don't need to start there..As you can see.Junk metal you find around the house is no good for this without proper and sometimes major metal prep.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Ok I will grind it the other way. Any good way to clean the cup or the recommended way?I got some 3/32 filler rod today to try out. All this so far is 1/16th. I tried welding 2 pieces together and using 1/16th seemed rather small so I got the 3/32. That should be better I think.More pics tomorrow.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:Hang on I made a mistakeLast edited by B_C; 03-18-2011 at 11:34 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:What are you welding on?  Those dingle berries look like your material is plated or something that splatters as mentioned........Get some clean cold roll steel to practice on like 1/4 "  plate then work your way up to thin wall tubing......Less chance to OVER COOK IT  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CWhat are you welding on?  Those dingle berries look like your material is plated or something that splatters as mentioned........Get some clean cold roll steel to practice on like 1/4 "  plate then work your way up to thin wall tubing......Less chance to OVER COOK IT
Reply:Wow that looks amazing. What causes the colors? I got some things going on this weekend so if I have funds I'm going to get a nice wire brush wheel and clean the metal and a nice 1/8th or 1/4" thick plate and go to town on it. Stay tuned for more pics tomorrow.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 GambleWow that looks amazing. What causes the colors? I got some things going on this weekend so if I have funds I'm going to get a nice wire brush wheel and clean the metal and a nice 1/8th or 1/4" thick plate and go to town on it. Stay tuned for more pics tomorrow.Originally Posted by Gamble.... if I have funds I'm going to get a nice wire brush wheel and clean the metal and a nice 1/8th or 1/4" thick plate and .....
Reply:+ 1 that  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CWhat are you welding on?  Those dingle berries look like your material is plated or something that splatters as mentioned........Get some clean cold roll steel to practice on like 1/4 "  plate then work your way up to thin wall tubing......Less chance to OVER COOK IT
Reply:Clean material makes for a happy weld puddleMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:As mentioned by others.Wrong material for TIG.Wrong direction of sharpening of tungsten.Ceramic cup severely contaminated from aluminized or galvanized material.You can't beat up a TIG torch like a  MIG torch. Won't fly.The ceramic cup on a experienced welders torch will be unmolested and clean.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by TIGger305BEAUTIFUL WELD!!!.. roughly what size weld is that. and whats your torch set up (cup size size tungsten etc.) and gas flow for that. i weld stainless all day but when i do projects with larger welds like what u got there. i get that gray color.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleOk I will grind it the other way. Any good way to clean the cup or the recommended way?I got some 3/32 filler rod today to try out. All this so far is 1/16th. I tried welding 2 pieces together and using 1/16th seemed rather small so I got the 3/32. That should be better I think.More pics tomorrow.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomDon.t use a grinding wheel on a tungsten unless it is very fine.A sanding disk is better. About 100 grit.You can use a 3/32 tungsten from 5 amps up to 150. (Steel or stainless)It will last longer that the 1/16 tungsten and be easier to sharpen.From .049 thick metal and up you can use the 3/32 tungsten.
Reply:When i stated out one of my big problems was of course my Shaking Hand. which with time eventually got better. but my other problem was travel speed. I was going to slow and using filler too much. which resulted in high welds similar to what you got there. i forgot what the rule of thumb when it comes to amperage with thickness of metal. When i remember ill post it. but i would say try not using filler like a machine gun. take your time... work on a steady hand...and when it comes to using the filler rod ...slow down and DAB will the filler like a drip from a leaky faucet. your on the right track tho. Keep up the Good work man.
Reply:Is there a proper way to clean the cups?Donald, what do you mean wrong material?I'll have to get a 100grit wheel for the tungsten until then all I have is a metal disc. I'll get a pic up.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 GambleIs there a proper way to clean the cups?Donald, what do you mean wrong material?I'll have to get a 100grit wheel for the tungsten until then all I have is a metal disc. I'll get a pic up.
Reply:That was what I was looking for thank you. I tried the wire brush on the cup but not much luck. Any good way for cleaning the inside, like can I take it off an soak it in 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:just throw the old cup away, get a couple diffrent sizes, they dont cost that much.  and get a couple collet bodys too. i allways seem to wreck mine by over tightening the tungsten. and from my experience(just a year with a tig). it is very difficult to learn on a cheap(no offense to you)machine. i bought a used name brand machine for a very reasonable price.  budget is a concern of mine, but i got tired of being agrevated by a cheap machine. when i got a name brand machine my welds changed alot for the better. like nite and day.
Reply:What did you end up going with?I have been searching locally for a tig welder and I can't find anything that isn't 220 and 30 years old. So I decided to try this and see if I like it. I'll be saving up for something better for sure.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:The cup looks like you keep forgetting to open your shielding gas valve before striking your arc, or have been welding galvanized. If the spatter won't scrape off with a knife blade, get another. As for tungsten sharpening, when you contaminate an electrode, cut it back about half an inch, then resharpen it. If you don't have a nice clean point, you will get arc wander.Get comfortable and rest your arm to get rid of the shakes. You have to hold a tight arc and increase your travel speed. You are piling up your fill rod because you are not advancing the torch when dipping your rod. You seem determined, and that counts for a lot. Just keep at it, but keep in mind, that while practice is important, you have to focus on exactly what it is you are practicing. If you are just putting in hours under the hood, and going about it all wrong, you are just teaching yourself bad habits that are going to be difficult to unlearn.
Reply:Exactly. I want to learn the right way hence why I am here.Here is a question. I was watching a few videos on youtube and one guy mentioned to rest the cup and drag the cup. Is that bad practice or good? I haven't done that.And yes I have forgotten to turn on the gas lots of times. lol I had lots of arc wander and it's a lot better now with a nice tip. I'm going to do some research to see if I can get a foot pedal rigged up after I get used to welding with this tig to get the feel for everything.And a n00b question here, but is there a recommendation for how far away the tank should be from welding or just put it as far away as possible? I'm only 3 feet from where I weld so I'm thinking it should be farther.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:[QUOTE=Gamble;488864]Exactly. I want to learn the right way hence why I am here.Here is a question. I was watching a few videos on youtube and one guy mentioned to rest the cup and drag the cup. Is that bad practice or good? I haven't done that.And yes I have forgotten to turn on the gas lots of times. lol I had lots of arc wander and it's a lot better now with a nice tip. I'm going to do some research to see if I can get a foot pedal rigged up after I get used to welding with this tig to get the feel for everything.And a n00b question here, but is there a recommendation for how far away the tank should be from welding or just put it as far away as possible? I'm only 3 feet from where I weld so I'm thinking it should be farther.[/QUOTYou are probably refering to "walking the cup" which works very well for pipe welding by an EXPERIENCED operator. You should be holding your torch almost vertical and feeding your fill rod in at as close to 90 degrees from the torch as possible(5-10 deg. from horizontal). Direct your arc down into the base metal, not at your fill rod. On thinner metal, if you are angling the torch back so that you can drag your cup, you wont maintain a decent gas shield, and unless your material is very smooth, you will probably get jerkiness from keeping pressure against the base plate.
Reply:OOOOO that is what walking the cup means. I get it.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 GambleWhat did you end up going with?I have been searching locally for a tig welder and I can't find anything that isn't 220 and 30 years old. So I decided to try this and see if I like it. I'll be saving up for something better for sure.
Reply:I'd like to do 220v, but if you see my house it's a bitch. The panel is in the back of the house and the garage is on the other end. Vaulted ceiling and not much room to crawl from one end of the house to the other in the attic. I need a skinny electrician that isn't afraid of small and tight spaces to run the conduit. And I'm sure it would be super expensive to do so. Can't go under the floor since I'm on a concrete slap. I'm pretty screwed lol.My first priority with wiring is to get the family room, dinning room, kitchen and garage off of 1 15amp circuit as the house was wired that way when it was built.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:does you garage have a subpanel.  if so you probly just need to do a little rearanging.  no new wires needed. mine had a panel so i just got one of my buddies that does electric to come over and put a 50 amp 220 volt outlet in.  also hooked up my compressor.  all that in about an hour and a half.  the half hr. was beer time.
Reply:I wish I had a subpanel.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:What would happen if I changed this to DECP and used the neg for ground instead of the positive?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:For me personally 120 amps means 3/32 tungsten.......I typically use 1/16 for welding stainless and small amp setting projects.....(30 - 80 )   just because you have a 3/32 tungsten in place doesn't mean it WON'T work for low amp settings (it's just harder to maintain a welding current )  I wouldn't attempt to weld  1/4" plate with a 1/16 tungstenthese are things most welders DON'T learn before worrying about how does my weld look......It's all about learning the set-up first in my opinion before even turning the machine on....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWhat would happen if I changed this to DECP and used the neg for ground instead of the positive?