Just a quick question...

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When welding bronze I get a lot of "mess" like with galvanized.Spits and sputters and just a real pain to weld.  Using TIG DCep with bronze rod, argon  and everything is cleaned up with a scotch bright pad before welding..When I clean it up it looks fine but I can't believe it is supposed to work like this.Any ideas?Have a couple of bronze sculptures I want to try and need to learn this before hand..From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:That's just what it does.Nothing a stainless brush won't take care of afterwards......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 Zap!just wanted to make sure.From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Are we in AC or DC?Both work believe it or not but I find AC to be a little easier......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:Originally Posted by kevinacaronUsing TIG DCep with bronze rod, argon  and everything is cleaned up with a scotch bright pad before welding....
Reply:Zap,   I will try ac the next time I get to the shop. Never thought to try !Insaneride,  maybe I just don't know what I am talking about. I just have the ground in the + terminal like always. Isn't that DCEN? Can I run it with the leads switched?From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Thats correct kevin, work clamp in + is electrode neg (DCen). It must have been a typo in your first post (DCep) but I had to ask because I believe you do know what your talking about.
Reply:I believe the electrode is the Tungsten.  If you have ground clamp in + then the electrode is negative.  I am not a welder by trade so I will defer to the experts if I have this wrong.Any day I get to weld is a good day!
Reply:kevincaronYou are playing with brass.  The 'mess' is causedby zinc and lead which sculptural bronze does notcontain.Bronze welds flawlessly and produces no residue.  You can even dip the tungsten without corruption.   For perfect color match shear or form your own filler from the parent metal.I learned from this guy.  http://www.gailseverngallery.com/ind.../artist/id/849http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/rod...nt?oid=2911215Opus
Reply:Many so-called "bronzes" contain Zinc (and possibly Lead).  You need to try the actual alloy you will be using.Edit:  You might find some interesting info on this site:  http://www.bronzecasting.co.uk/6_met..._contents.htmlLast edited by Oldendum; 12-14-2013 at 02:02 PM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by kevinacaronInsaneride,  maybe I just don't know what I am talking about. I just have the ground in the + terminal like always. Isn't that DCEN? Can I run it with the leads switched?
Reply:kevincaronNomenclature Clarity  -  Old School to New School.DC Straight Polarity is now called DCEN - DC Electrode Negative.DC Reverse Polarity is now called DCEP - DC Electrode Positive.Examples in use . . .GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding -  New School.TIG - Tungsten Inert Gas - Old School.HeliArc - really Old School is Union Carbides' registered trade-name.  They bought the patent in the late 1930's.  UC is also Linde, and ESAB. Ferrous, nickel-chrome, and copper based metals are welded DCEN.Aluminum is generally welded AC - But really thick sections are welded DCEP.Serious stick welding is DCEP, eg.  E6010,  E7018 . . .Your 110/220 Micro Wire-Welder runs Inter-Shield flux-core on DCEN.   If you run Hard-Wire or Dual-Shield [cover-gas] your on DCEP.With regard to weldability - bronze is the Astroglide of metals, wave a lighterat it - and it will fuse.The Bronze Age occurred because the Ancients could weld in a camp fire.Opus
Reply:Like Oldendum said, "bronze" is a very flexible term. Most modern sculpture is made from Everdur silicon bronze (95% Cu, 4% Si, 1% Mn). No zinc, no lead, welds as easily as steel. If you are using found materials or unknown alloys, oxy-fuel is probably a better process. TIG and MIG do not like zinc or lead.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedLike Oldendum said, "bronze" is a very flexible term. Most modern sculpture is made from Everdur silicon bronze (95% Cu, 4% Si, 1% Mn). No zinc, no lead, welds as easily as steel. If you are using found materials or unknown alloys, oxy-fuel is probably a better process. TIG and MIG do not like zinc or lead.John
Reply:And we were taught a little ditty to sort out the straight polarity and the reverse polarity that says; "Good work is positively straight ".  So when the work is pos the polarity is straight. But then some students remember EASILY everything the teacher says.    Originally Posted by OPUS FERROkevincaronNomenclature Clarity  -  Old School to New School.DC Straight Polarity is now called DCEN - DC Electrode Negative.DC Reverse Polarity is now called DCEP - DC Electrode Positive.Examples in use . . .GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding -  New School.TIG - Tungsten Inert Gas - Old School.HeliArc - really Old School is Union Carbides' registered trade-name.  They bought the patent in the late 1930's.  UC is also Linde, and ESAB. Ferrous, nickel-chrome, and copper based metals are welded DCEN.Aluminum is generally welded AC - But really thick sections are welded DCEP.Serious stick welding is DCEP, eg.  E6010,  E7018 . . .Your 110/220 Micro Wire-Welder runs Inter-Shield flux-core on DCEN.   If you run Hard-Wire or Dual-Shield [cover-gas] your on DCEP.With regard to weldability - bronze is the Astroglide of metals, wave a lighterat it - and it will fuse.The Bronze Age occurred because the Ancients could weld in a camp fire.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROAluminum is generally welded AC - But really thick sections are welded DCEP.