Tig beginner; is it my machine?

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Hello. I am quite new to tig welding. I have some experience with stick and FC.Though I learn quickly, I am having trouble getting tig to work. The question I would like opinions on is "is it my machine?"Obviously there are many variables and unknowns to you, for now assume that setup and technique are ok.I have a Forney easyweld 100ST machine. Basically a tiny toaster. It seems that within the first two or three minutes I can make a puddle satisfactorily. As I continue, it seems to be more and more difficult.So is the issue possibly/ probably my machine is just too weak? Other than features, how does an expensive machine differ from my little toaster (all things being equal)?Kind of a vague question...Nick
Reply:Welcome to the group.I am Stick and Fluxcore welder person.  Dave

Originally Posted by Norkamus

Hello. I am quite new to tig welding. I have some experience with stick and FC.Though I learn quickly, I am having trouble getting tig to work. The question I would like opinions on is "is it my machine?"Obviously there are many variables and unknowns to you, for now assume that setup and technique are ok.I have a Forney easyweld 100ST machine. Basically a tiny toaster. It seems that within the first two or three minutes I can make a puddle satisfactorily. As I continue, it seems to be more and more difficult.So is the issue possibly/ probably my machine is just too weak? Other than features, how does an expensive machine differ from my little toaster (all things being equal)?Kind of a vague question...Nick
Reply:You need to be able to form a puddle in 2-3 seconds to make satisfactory welds. On steel, roughly 1 amp per thousandths thickness, slightly less on stainless.
Reply:Could we please have more information for us to help you. What is your setup beyond the power source. What is your torch setup? What are you welding? The more I info you can provide the more we can help you.Gear: Esab power compact 205 with tbi industries torch         BOC Smootharc 185dc tig         Miller Syncrowave 350LX
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

Hello. I am quite new to tig welding. I have some experience with stick and FC.Though I learn quickly, I am having trouble getting tig to work. The question I would like opinions on is "is it my machine?"Obviously there are many variables and unknowns to you, for now assume that setup and technique are ok.I have a Forney easyweld 100ST machine. Basically a tiny toaster. It seems that within the first two or three minutes I can make a puddle satisfactorily. As I continue, it seems to be more and more difficult.So is the issue possibly/ probably my machine is just too weak? Other than features, how does an expensive machine differ from my little toaster (all things being equal)?Kind of a vague question...Nick
Reply:In the beginning, we would tell the instructor "I think these rods are bad".  cause we couldn't really weld!   Basically you need to burn a metric Sh!t ton of rods to start getting good.We've done so much, for so long, with so little. Were now qualified to do anything with nothing !
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Originally Posted by 52 Ford

Two to three minutes to form a puddle?If this is really the case, you need a LOT more amperage.
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Originally Posted by John T

Or courage ...

Seriously that's a problem with a lot of guys starting TigThey wait too long to start a puddle. The key is to mash the pedal and get the puddle going immediately and then back off the heat and start dabbing. Especially true with aluminum.Be Brave.
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Originally Posted by William Payne

Googling the original posters machine there is no peddle. Or high frequency at all for that matter.
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

Hello. I am quite new to tig welding. I have some experience with stick and FC.Though I learn quickly, I am having trouble getting tig to work. The question I would like opinions on is "is it my machine?"Obviously there are many variables and unknowns to you, for now assume that setup and technique are ok.I have a Forney easyweld 100ST machine. Basically a tiny toaster. It seems that within the first two or three minutes I can make a puddle satisfactorily. As I continue, it seems to be more and more difficult.So is the issue possibly/ probably my machine is just too weak? Other than features, how does an expensive machine differ from my little toaster (all things being equal)?Kind of a vague question...Nick
Reply:Reading my post, I see how that was unclear. It doesnt take 2 to 3 minutes to start a puddle. I meant that i can weld satisfactorily  for 2 to 3 minutes, after this time period it seems the performance of my machine suffers. Like it gets more difficult. Like it has weakened. Something had changed.. My setup is as basic as can be. It's  a stick welder with a tig switch. Scratch start. No pedal. Just playing with 1/8 mild steel i found at work.All im trying to understand is could my machine be a severe limitation in trying to learn tig? Or is it more likely me being new and inexperienced where an experienced welder would be able to go all day on my machine.
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

Reading my post, I see how that was unclear. It doesnt take 2 to 3 minutes to start a puddle. I meant that i can weld satisfactorily  for 2 to 3 minutes, after this time period it seems the performance of my machine suffers. Like it gets more difficult. Like it has weakened. Something had changed.. My setup is as basic as can be. It's  a stick welder with a tig switch. Scratch start. No pedal. Just playing with 1/8 mild steel i found at work.All im trying to understand is could my machine be a severe limitation in trying to learn tig? Or is it more likely me being new and inexperienced where an experienced welder would be able to go all day on my machine.
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

Reading my post, I see how that was unclear. It doesnt take 2 to 3 minutes to start a puddle. I meant that i can weld satisfactorily  for 2 to 3 minutes, after this time period it seems the performance of my machine suffers. Like it gets more difficult. Like it has weakened. Something had changed.. My setup is as basic as can be. It's  a stick welder with a tig switch. Scratch start. No pedal. Just playing with 1/8 mild steel i found at work.All im trying to understand is could my machine be a severe limitation in trying to learn tig? Or is it more likely me being new and inexperienced where an experienced welder would be able to go all day on my machine.
Reply:What is the duty cycle listed on the spec plate on the welder? Forney went out of their way to not include that information in the down loadable manual. What setting are you using? If you have it cranked all the way up or nearly so, in 3 minutes, you could be correct that you are exceeding the duty cycle of the machine and it may well be entering failure mode and starting to not supply the correct, stable current. My $0.02 for what it is worth, is that you maybe should get some much thinner practice material and turn the machine down to see if it still seems to act up as quickly. So small diameter rod, if you are using one(maybe some MIG wire) and thin material (16 ga. or less)Norkamus said"I have a Forney easyweld 100ST machine."Last edited by Meltedmetal; 2 Days Ago at 08:42 PM.---Meltedmetal
Reply:MJD. Ok. This reply is helpful. My machine can do only 90 amps (well the knob goes to 90). This sounds like an issue for 1/8 steel. Just not enough.Last edited by Norkamus; 2 Days Ago at 08:49 PM.Reason: Wanted to reference a person's post.
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

MJD. Ok. This reply is helpful. My machine can do only 90 amps (well the knob goes to 90). This sounds like an issue for 1/8 steel. Just not enough.
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Originally Posted by Norkamus

Reading my post, I see how that was unclear. It doesnt take 2 to 3 minutes to start a puddle. I meant that i can weld satisfactorily  for 2 to 3 minutes, after this time period it seems the performance of my machine suffers. Like it gets more difficult. Like it has weakened. Something had changed.. My setup is as basic as can be. It's  a stick welder with a tig switch. Scratch start. No pedal. Just playing with 1/8 mild steel i found at work.All im trying to understand is could my machine be a severe limitation in trying to learn tig? Or is it more likely me being new and inexperienced where an experienced welder would be able to go all day on my machine.
Reply:Thank you for replying Oscar. Also everyone else. I posted in haste and realize there are many factors at play, which I acknowledged in the original post, and asked of the reader to make an assumption.Based on replies about duty cycle and "1 amp per thou" I think my question has been answered. Apologies for asking for a ballpark opinion-type answer. I do have the knob turned all the way up. I'll  post a pic of the ratings if I can figure out how to.
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Originally Posted by M J D

Yeah try it out on some thinner material, results should be better. Without a pedal or other remote the 1 amp per thousandths thing may make termination difficult.
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Originally Posted by 52 Ford

Makes it easier. At the end of the weld, hold for a second, wait for a hole to blow through the end of the bead, then lift the torch up till the arc goes out. Ya see, it leaves a nice radiused hole at rhe end of the weld - no stress risers

Sent from my Lincoln Buzzbox using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by John T

I'm not understanding that...Perhaps it's just humor and I missed it.  But anyway, whenever I ended on scratch tig I would just add extra filler at the end and then snap out. Works pretty good when you get the hang of it.
Reply:I don't know your machine.My first TIG machine was Miller Diversion 180. With thin steel it was a fine welder. It could only weld very small aluminum objects. Even 13 gauge aluminum, it'd run out of power. Unlike many welders, this one tapered off the amperage as it heated up. I'd find myself pushing the pedal to the floor, unable to melt the metal.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.