What am I doing or Not doing?

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I have a Lincoln Precision Tig 225 welder.  It works fine on steel stock 1/8 inch or under.Good penetration.Today, I tried 3/16 stock.  I got no penetration.  I had the amps as high as 220.  I tried gapping it 1/16. Still no penetration.I am using 3/32 rod and 3/32 Lan. tungsten.At 180 amps I get a nice looking bead.  At 220 amps the bead is flat.What do I do?All help will be appreciated.Thanks,Jack
Reply:Take some pics of the pieces and post them. it will be a lot easier to help you if we see what is going on.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Also, more info on the settings of the machine, maybe even a picture of that too.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Do you have machine set for electrode negative?Arc length?Higher amp setting will flatten out the bead if you don't feed filler fast enough.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Did you add a bevel on your steel?
Reply:3/32" filler is way too big for what you are doing in my book..Try some 1/16" and see what happens then.....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:Jack772, Is 772 your area code?   If so, contact me through private message with contact info, I may be able to help you. If not please add your location to your profile. One of us may live close enough to you to help out in person.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:The tungsten is neg.  I can't do pictures.Without the filler rod the bead or puddle is wide but not deep on the 3/16 stock.  This is running like 200 or more amps. I shouldn't need to bevel.  I had a 1/16 gap.I had no trouble with  it penetrating the 1/8 stock at 140 ampsDo I have the tungsten ground wrong?  The manual says don't go any larger than 3/32 for the tungsten. Thanks,Jack
Reply:I think that there are a number of issues that are easily remedied and, coincidentally, many have already been mentioned in this thread:- by Duaneb55 Higher "Higher amp setting will flatten out the bead if you don't feed filler fast enough."- by Jay O "Did you add a bevel on your steel?"- by zapster "3/32" filler is way too big for what you are doing in my book.. Try some 1/16" and see what happens then..>You don't have to add a deep bevel to your material to see the benefit (1/16" should be enough and is quickly/easily accomplished with a single pass from a flap wheel.  This will also help in the removal of mill-scale on the material (if you have not already done so) making penetration quicker and easier to control. Remember, your arc is started at the nearest grounded piece of material to the tip of the tungsten.  That said, a slight bevel and a short arc length, coupled with a properly ground tungsten, will help you get down into the root.>I would use a steady feed of 1/16" rod, and get down into the root.  If you don't have any, or you don't feel comfortable with the feeding of the wire that quickly, try a slightly wider root opening with your 3/32".>If your machine has the capability of setting a clearing width, use a lower width (Also a narrow point on your tungsten may help)>Make sure to remove any mill-scale or contaminents from the backside of the joint (proper prep is one of the main keys to TIG/GTAW)With making sure that all of the above things are done, you should be able to lay in a nice bead at much less than 210A.  I like using a foot pedal on the Dynasty 350 set at 200A.  This gives me all the control I need, and I never have to go "pedal to the metal". 3/32" tungsten is what I mainly use.Good luck!Last edited by Weldz4U; 09-11-2010 at 09:10 PM.Reason: forgot to add electrode sizeMiller LegendNT (Gas/Onan 18), Millermatic 140 Autoset Simmadre 200P AC/DC Stick/TIG w/pulse & 40A Plasma OAW outfit SpeedGlass 9002X
Reply:Jack:  Are you sure you have a nice clean ground on that steel?Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma