What am I doing wrong? --- <<<PICTURES INSIDE>>>

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I picked this tig/stick welder up about 2 weeks ago and finally figured out how to wire it up for 220 in my garage....I started to fiddle with it a few days ago. The first day was a complete failure.. almost worse than my $80 fluxcore from autozone... just a bunch of blobs on a pipe. I've been trying to weld on some SS pipe I had lying around for a downpipe (exhaust pipe) for my car I had a while back. After a little research, I come to find that SS is a little harder to weld than other things like mild steel. I've been practicing a couple days now with little improvement. I even tried to weld on some mild steel to see if it was THAT much of a difference. no luck. I understand that this takes alot of practice...but I think SOMETHING has to be wrong here... the welds just look too hideous. This is my first time tig welding EVER. The only other thing I've used has been like a autozone special fluxcore self feeding mig.  Here are a few pictures of my catastrophe...These next couple are (what I believe) the best welds I have produced... They were done on the mild steel...and they just aren't promising... I don't think I'll ever be good enough to weld like a professional, but I just want my welds to not look like mashed potatoes. ANY criticism would be great and any and all tips are much appreciated. Thanks!Last edited by Mugen112; 08-16-2008 at 12:51 AM.
Reply:that pipe looks aluminized instead of being stainless i might be wrong but that it what it looks like. it also looks like you are way to hot on most of them beads. what kind of amps are you running? what type and size of filler rod? it looks like you are using to large of a size filler, because the beads dont need to be that big on that thin of metal
Reply:I don't see a gas bottle hooked to the regulator. That is a for sure miss. Also, if you are using a bottle, are you sure it is argon, and not CO2??? Even 75/25 mix gas is no good for tig, and your pics are really good, and they SCREAM "No gas coverage." You should be using pure argon. set flow for 15 cfh, set postflow for 3-5 seconds for small welds like that. You should be able to HEAR the gas flowing when you hit the pedal. Now, on to technique: You should start with no filler on SS, just get a small puddle formed, and work it around for a bit. Then, once you get the puddle down, get some filler, and start welding some flat seams, lap welds, simple t joints. It looks as though you are trying to tig like mig, where you run constant on the pedal and try to push the filler at the same speed as you are moving the torch. You want to practice modulating amps, make a puddle, add a dip of filler, back off the heat 'till the arc gets small, and the puddle is down, then ramp up the pedal as you move slightly, and add the filler again. Find that gas issue, and you will be much happier on your next run. SS should be the easiest stuff on earth to weld. Maybe not weld beautifully, but SS usually has very few issues with taking an arc well. There is one bright spot; you just may be the next official welding web photographer, as the pics show some very artistic coloring.......And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for the comments! The tank is hooked up and was at around 25cfm. The tank is a 75/25 mixture, so maybe thats where i'm hurting. Also, thanks for the little run through on technique! I'll have to practice that tomorrow. I need to run to the store and buy a new toungson  (sp?) rod and some smaller filler. I just don't see how you can get that nice dime effect I always see. Thanks!
Reply:yup thats the prob, 75/25 isnt ganna do it
Reply:Get some pure argon.Torch tilted towards the finish line, filler added to the front of the puddle, arc no longer than the size of your tungsten.If you dip the tungsten, stop and change it or re grind it.  Once its contaminated, the arc looses its focus.Good luck, more pics please.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:75/25= no good for TIG, get a bottle of pure argon and have at it,Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I just posted a question to another thread RE:  Using one bottle for both a Mig and a TigCan a mig and a tig both use pure Argon ???? or does a mig require 75/25 mix ?Thanks...JoeLongevity LS 160 P tig/Plasma comboLincoln AC/DC 225 TombstoneMiller 170 Mig (shared with neighbor)"Life is like Ice cream...Enjoy it or it melts away" joebiplane
Reply:Pure argon, MIG welding steel is not recomended. The penetration, and profile of the weld just are not proper.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Oooh, look at the pretty colors!  Pure carbon dioxide works for mig.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Shield gas is chosen based on process, material, and the wire manufacturers specs. Quit worrying about stacks of dimes and learn to run a proper bead. Stacks of dimes take a lot of practice to accomplish. Do some research on the processes and by research I don't mean a web board. Lincoln, Miller and Hobart all have copious amounts of educational material available on their websites. If they publish it themselves you can pretty much take it to the bank. If there is any way at all that you can get some qualified instruction do so be it a night class, friendly local welder that doesn't mind showing you enough to get you started, even a friend who has already had a class or two. You will appreciate it for all the time it saves you not to mention all the tungsten, gas and filler wasted through trial and error. Of all the metals I have welded I find stainless to be just about the easiest and using GTAW it is the easiest for me. Makes aluminum look plumb hard, lol.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Oh, and the most important thing I left out. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Glad they were able to help you with your problem. Those are really good pictures. What kind of  camera are you using, pixels ??I know it wasn't what you were looking for but that last pipe welding almost  looks ornamental.
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloI don't see a gas bottle hooked to the regulator. That is a for sure miss. Also, if you are using a bottle, are you sure it is argon, and not CO2??? Even 75/25 mix gas is no good for tig, and your pics are really good, and they SCREAM "No gas coverage." You should be using pure argon. set flow for 15 cfh, set postflow for 3-5 seconds for small welds like that. You should be able to HEAR the gas flowing when you hit the pedal. Now, on to technique: You should start with no filler on SS, just get a small puddle formed, and work it around for a bit. Then, once you get the puddle down, get some filler, and start welding some flat seams, lap welds, simple t joints. It looks as though you are trying to tig like mig, where you run constant on the pedal and try to push the filler at the same speed as you are moving the torch. You want to practice modulating amps, make a puddle, add a dip of filler, back off the heat 'till the arc gets small, and the puddle is down, then ramp up the pedal as you move slightly, and add the filler again. Find that gas issue, and you will be much happier on your next run. SS should be the easiest stuff on earth to weld. Maybe not weld beautifully, but SS usually has very few issues with taking an arc well. There is one bright spot; you just may be the next official welding web photographer, as the pics show some very artistic coloring.......
Reply:Not to worry none. I have the same welder. Argon is what you want. This machine is a stick welder or TIG welder. MIG applications do not apply. A good little unit for small metal as its duty cycle shortens to 20% maxed out. Set at about 125 amps will temp out after 10 or so 1/8 7018 rods. A little sweetheart to be sure. You are using the footpedeal right?
Reply:BIG thanks for everyone taking the time and explaining things to me. I'm deff. going to be getting pure argon either tomorrow or sometime soon. After I get that going, I'll deff take some new pictures to let you guys in on the progress. btw, the camera is a nikon d40. photography is another hobby of mine, after cars...
Reply:There is no naked lady on the hood of the car. Why did you photoshop the picture and take her off it???!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Ok- I have a 24" Imac and those Pics are so big they cut off the type.Anyone else?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Oh..and check out Millers Tig Handbook- available on-linehttp://www.millerwelds.com/education/TIGhandbook/Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:looks like you didnt use the gas or you didnt grind off the galvanized coating
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Ok- I have a 24" Imac and those Pics are so big they cut off the type.Anyone else?
Reply:Off TopicSince you are a photographer maybe you know the answer - Is there a reason why people feel the need to block out the license plate numbers when they post a pic of there car on the web??  You don't have a problem with me seeing it on the street, so why not here??Just curious.
Reply:Originally Posted by TSOROff TopicSince you are a photographer maybe you know the answer - Is there a reason why people feel the need to block out the license plate numbers when they post a pic of there car on the web??  You don't have a problem with me seeing it on the street, so why not here??Just curious.
Reply:Originally Posted by TSOROff TopicSince you are a photographer maybe you know the answer - Is there a reason why people feel the need to block out the license plate numbers when they post a pic of there car on the web??  You don't have a problem with me seeing it on the street, so why not here??Just curious.
Reply:if your using old exhaust pipe, dont forget to clean your workpeice... no dirt, no rust, no greasehttp://www.aloumac.ca/Originally Posted by SupeThere is a LOT of information that can be obtained from any computer a person logs in from.  When you see a car on the street, you see the plate number, but thats it.  When you see the plate number online, you can record that number, and start looking up all the information about the owner along with it.  I know a couple of guys with nice cars/race equipment that were robbed by out-of-staters that used their PC info and their plate #'s that showed up online.  Even if they don't want the car, they can often see tools/equipment/etc in the background that they may want.