Tig welding noob looking for feedback.

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These are my first attempts at tig welding and I was looking for a little feedback. Thanks in advance.
Reply:It doesnt look like your heating up both edges and just globbing in some filler. slow down a little make sure both pieces are getting some heat then slowly add some filler and keep moving. I always say look for the bead to get a little C shape and as soon as you see that add the filler into the center of the C.
Reply:I was waiting till I saw the keyhole in between the pieces of metal. I hit it with a wire wheel afterwards that's why there is no color in the weld. I was running this on 120amps. I was welding on 1/4 inch stainless plate using 3/32 2% thoriated tungsten with 3/32 309L filler with a #7 cup.
Reply:you may want to go miller's tig welding calculatorthey are saying amp range for 1/4 " is 225-300 amp 1/8 tung 18-20 cfh120 sounds kinda cold for 1/4" would be close for 1/8 SSidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Just went out and remeasured the flat bar. It's actually 3/16ths. Forgot to mention the machine is a powertig 250ex inverter machine.Last edited by Truestreetvw; 11-02-2011 at 01:47 PM.
Reply:even 3/16 will need more heat ( by looking at the picsand maybe smaller filler so you dont cool the puddle when you add it are you using a footcontrol --what machine are you using?idealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I'm using a Everlast Powertig 250ex. Yes I am using foot control. I was also using the pulse feature set to around 100hz. The main amps were set to about 120 and the low amps were around 90. Maybe I just need to go home and make it hotter.
Reply:Start at 200 amps and work the pedal..Those LOOK ok but are very cold.....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:Thanks for all the tips fellas. I'm going to try these in about an hour.
Reply:This one any better? This was at ~200 amps self modulating the amps. Same 3/32 2% thoriated tungsten with 3/32 309L filler rod.
Reply:looks  better but myself would go with 1/16" filler (beads are still kinda talland no need to modulate --or pumping the peddle move at a constant speed and count dipps-1-2-3-4----an so on, as you move puddleZAP can explain it better ..as seen in his welds i think you are colling pool down with 3/32 fillerbut looking betteridealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:The beads aren't really that tall. The picture really throws them off and makes them look really tall. Might go pick up some 1/16th tomorrow and give it another try.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterStart at 200 amps and work the pedal..Those LOOK ok but are very cold.....zap!
Reply:Tall = 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:Originally Posted by DanRTJust for my own reference and curiosity, how do you know that it's "very cold"? I'm trying to learn how to tell when a weld is cold or not. My Dynasty is rated for 1/4" steel and it goes up to 200 amps, so I guess that would mean that you must weld 1/4" steel at or very close to 200 amps?
Reply:Originally Posted by DanRTJust for my own reference and curiosity, how do you know that it's "very cold"? I'm trying to learn how to tell when a weld is cold or not. My Dynasty is rated for 1/4" steel and it goes up to 200 amps, so I guess that would mean that you must weld 1/4" steel at or very close to 200 amps?
Reply:Zap thanks for the tips. Other than the metal not being 100% clean (I can tell by the oxidation in the weld) is there anything else u would suggest I do differently?
Reply:Ok I made a mistake with my picture posting. The last picture was 200amps this picture is 230amps.
Reply:looks much better ,wetting is good ....now what CFH are you using ?starting to get some color i say more gas coverage is neededthen just practice on dip timing and speed  ---it will come with hood timeidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I was at about 12L/min so about 55cfh according to my regulator. I was using a #7 cup.
Reply:Originally Posted by TruestreetvwZap thanks for the tips. Other than the metal not being 100% clean (I can tell by the oxidation in the weld) is there anything else u would suggest I do differently?
Reply:Thanks zap. The help is very much appreciated.
Reply:Originally Posted by TruestreetvwI was at about 12L/min so about 55cfh according to my regulator. I was using a #7 cup.