changed torch and new gas and having difficulties welding

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HIBought a replacement torch for my ahp 201xd tig welder.https://usaweld.com/products/17_seri...ct_gas_fittingAlso new gas.Im finding when I weld the arc and puddle is very jumpy and weird almost like spitting ......... just a hobbiest welder so hard to explain but almost like the arc isnt stable.  I've adjusted gas up and down no difference. Cleaned metal and tungsten ... no real difference.I did change from a furick cup on original torch back to a normal cup and it seemed a "little" better .... but still nothing like it used to be.Not sure how to track down the issue - thoughts ?  Also the metal seems to get a some  black/soot type residue after welding ...... which obviously never normally happens under tig on stainless.
Reply:Stupid question but is the new gas 100% argon? Also is the polarity correct electrode negative ground clamp positive? If these things are correct try the old torch if the problem continues I’d be willing to bet you got some bad (contaminated gas) if not you might have an air leak. I put my finger over the cup (push the tungsten flush with the cup and turn on the gas see if you have gas leaking from anywhere). Any gas leaks will suck in air and cause these problems. The stubby gas lenses need a different insulator for the cup to seal against.
Reply:Thanks - yeah know its going to be basically impossible to triage over the web but just for ideas.Says 100% argon

   I didnt change the insulator between the stubby and the regular gas lense so maybe thats why it got a little bit better - but still didnt feel like a clean arc. I'll play around with that today - basically 3 setups;1) Furick cup and their special lens/collet deal 2) Regular gas lens and collet3) Non gas lens and colletI turned the machine off and placed my mouth over the gas lens and blew hard to try try and feel/see if any leaks ....... didnt using that approach lol
Reply:

Originally Posted by fakky

HIBought a replacement torch for my ahp 201xd tig welder.https://usaweld.com/products/17_seri...ct_gas_fittingAlso new gas.Im finding when I weld the arc and puddle is very jumpy and weird almost like spitting ......... just a hobbiest welder so hard to explain but almost like the arc isnt stable.  I've adjusted gas up and down no difference. Cleaned metal and tungsten ... no real difference.I did change from a furick cup on original torch back to a normal cup and it seemed a "little" better .... but still nothing like it used to be.Not sure how to track down the issue - thoughts ?  Also the metal seems to get a some  black/soot type residue after welding ...... which obviously never normally happens under tig on stainless.
Reply:

Originally Posted by fakky

Thanks - yeah know its going to be basically impossible to triage over the web but just for ideas.Says 100% argon

   I didnt change the insulator between the stubby and the regular gas lense so maybe thats why it got a little bit better - but still didnt feel like a clean arc. I'll play around with that today - basically 3 setups;1) Furick cup and their special lens/collet deal 2) Regular gas lens and collet3) Non gas lens and colletI turned the machine off and placed my mouth over the gas lens and blew hard to try try and feel/see if any leaks ....... didnt using that approach lol
Reply:It sounds like a bad gas issue.  I have had a couple of tanks of "100% argon" that were obviously contaminated with something else...from two different suppliers.  A friend owned a welding shop until a few months ago and they told me that often happens when they change a tank from mixed gas to 100% argon and don't properly evacuate it before filling it.Since the first bad bottle I check them immediately when I bring a new bottle home...the only change is the tank.  That way it's easier to explain why I'm bringing it back.  I have multiple bottles, but still check new bottles immediately.  I'm not terribly far from the two shops I have tanks from, so if I return a couple of hours later they're going to realize something must be wrong.Check out my bench vise website:  http://mivise.comMiller Syncrowave 250DXMillermatic 350P with XR AlumaProMiller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3Hobart Champion EliteEverlast PowerTig 210EXT
Reply:First,,,why the torch change?  Second, what material are you welding (thickness).  Are you sure about the gas (argon or mix)?  CFH adjusted properly?  Cup size?  Tungsten type and diameter?  Are you sure you are getting delivery to the torch (argon flow tester, aka pea shooter)?  Put the torch into a bucket of water and step on the peddle looking for bubbles from the cup only.  What is the angle of the torch to the material?  Are you pushing or pulling the puddle?  Distance from the material?  Best thing to do is get some carbon steel, clean the millscale OFF, wipe with acetone.  Practice running beads only, no filler.  Get used to the machine.  Get that working for you then graduate to other metals.
Reply:

Originally Posted by G-ManBart

It sounds like a bad gas issue.  I have had a couple of tanks of "100% argon" that were obviously contaminated with something else...from two different suppliers.  A friend owned a welding shop until a few months ago and they told me that often happens when they change a tank from mixed gas to 100% argon and don't properly evacuate it before filling it.Since the first bad bottle I check them immediately when I bring a new bottle home...the only change is the tank.  That way it's easier to explain why I'm bringing it back.  I have multiple bottles, but still check new bottles immediately.  I'm not terribly far from the two shops I have tanks from, so if I return a couple of hours later they're going to realize something must be wrong.
Reply:

Originally Posted by BillE.Dee

First,,,why the torch change?  Second, what material are you welding (thickness).  Are you sure about the gas (argon or mix)?  CFH adjusted properly?  Cup size?  Tungsten type and diameter?  Are you sure you are getting delivery to the torch (argon flow tester, aka pea shooter)?  Put the torch into a bucket of water and step on the peddle looking for bubbles from the cup only.  What is the angle of the torch to the material?  Are you pushing or pulling the puddle?  Distance from the material?  Best thing to do is get some carbon steel, clean the millscale OFF, wipe with acetone.  Practice running beads only, no filler.  Get used to the machine.  Get that working for you then graduate to other metals.
Reply:Do you have the work clamp direct to the material or is the material just laying on a grounded table?
Reply:Three times you have been asked what material and thickness and still no real answer. Do you have any real idea of how to properly set your machine for that metal? Stop blaming the gas purity for the second tank for now. Show us what you are doing and a pic of the machine settings.