Need some direction

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Sorry if this isn't the right place for this, if not please let me know where. I have been trolling around for a while trying to pick somethings up, tool a day workshop and have been self teaching myself to TIG weld. Would like some advice on the resuit of a recent weld. Think I'm getting somewhere now but want to confirm. Using an Eastwood DC TIG 200 on 1-1/4 16ga A513 square tube, output set at about 65AMP, around 15psi 100% argon and 1/16 E3 tungsten. Woudl appreciate any feedback.
Reply:Nothing?
Reply:I'd set your machine around 100 ampsTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks for the feedback, what about it makes you suggestion that so I know for future use. I was setting it higher and was having a problem with the edges of the material melting away.
Reply:Toes of the weld look a bit cold, hence maybe a bit more amps. Are you using a pedal? If so, setting the machine to 100 amps simply allows you to go higher if need be. You can then back down when you get to an edge if need be. If you don't have a pedal, then you have less control over your amps and have to set it closer to the optimum setting and you control your amps thru arc length, travel speed and adding filler. In that case,  I might try 70-75 amps and see how things look.1st pict is worthless as it's not clear enough to show any details. 2nd bead is very short. There's not really a lot there to comment on, probably why you haven't gotten a lot of replies so far. Information you gave is good, but knowing your filler size helps as would if you are using a pedal or not. The more info we have, the less we have to guess and the better the responses you get. We don't charge you by the word here.I hate tiny welds. I get too many students who want to do 1" to 2" welds and I'm constantly telling them to use the whole plate, or to weld the long ways on the plate vs the short way. Short welds really aren't long enough to get a good feel on your consistency. 4-6" usually tells the tale pretty easy if you are having consistency issues and if a nice weld is just a fluke, or something you actually accomplished..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Understood, and thanks for the comments. I'm using 1/16 ER70S2 filler and am also using a pedal. I'll look at turning the amperage up and see how that works as well and getting some longer pieces to weld and try to get some more pictures. On this specific material it's only 1-1/4 inches wide so no long run, but maybe I can get some pictures of more than one piece or a plate of the same gauge material. Thanks for the input.
Reply:I agree, it looks kind of cold, especially at the start. it looks like the filler is just laying on the metal, not fused with it. set your amps higher as suggested and you can throttle back with the foot pedal. Also that looks like it has mill scale on it. Did you clean the metal to bright shiny metal with an abrasive wheel then clean with acetone? it will make a difference.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Why 100% argon on mild steel?Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanWhy 100% argon on mild steel?Jerry
Reply:A TIG weld should look like it went on liquid, or wet. This assures penetration into the metal. Penetrating deep into the joint is another matter, That's about technique. I can't tell for sure are you thoroughly cleaning your steel?An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:If you said you were self-taught, and had been doing it for 20 years, I would criticize your weld.Actually, you seem to be very consistent, the two welds look exactly the same to me ;-)The walls of the square tubing are 1/16" thick, or about .0625, so 65 amps is not too bad a place to start.I realize this is just practice, but for something that thin, your weld is a bit oversized. I would keep my very sharp tungsten in the corner, and dab, dab, dab, with little or no oscillation, for this weld.Since you are practicing a 3/16 weld, and a 3/16th weld is something that would be realistic in the case of a bit thicker material, practicing a little oscillation is fine, even on this thin material. If this were 3/16 material, and you were wanting that large a weld, you would use about the same technique you used here, but with more heat, and that would give you a wetter puddle.You might try doing some lap joints, because the thickness of the top piece will be your gauge as to how large you want the bead to be.Maintaining a steady rate of travel, and a consistent rate of deposition is going to be key for you for a while, and then after a while, you will not even think about either, your hands will react to the shape and behavior of the puddle without your mind having to get involved at all.Oh yeah.Above all, make sure you are smiling while welding, it helps the bead come out better.Last edited by geezerbill; 04-13-2015 at 07:46 PM.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:My friend from Mass describes himself as a novice skier. We've known each a long time. He's as close as I've come to a brother. I say if you've done it 21 years you're no longer a novice, you're just not very good.Using the same logic, a new TIG welder doesn't yet deserve criticism. New information, on the other hand would be useful. You've come to the right place for that. Much better would be to spend time with a great welder. If you ever get a chance, do it.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie B Much better would be to spend time with a great welder. If you ever get a chance, do it.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DIts tig.