melting too much tungsten?

admin

Hey guys, I am taking a Tig class, and am wondering why I am going through so much tungsten. I didn't get a chance to ask the instructor, and the next class isn't until this coming Monday, and it's driving me nuts! We are using a Lincoln precision tig 185, set @ 100A with the gas set at 15-20 ( cfh I think that is the correct initials for the term ), 1/8 " mild streel metal. We welded for about 45min.-1hr. I had to sharpen the electrode 4 or 5 times ( two of wich, was when I forgot to turn the gas regulator to the 15-20 cfh setting, so I didn't get any gas through the gun. I didn't have the pedal pushed down all the way, so I'm not sure the exact amps that I was using. We were not using any filler metal yet, to just get a feel for the gun and a look at the arc, and puddle. Next time we will be using filler though. I would like to have things to try when I get back there next week. Thanks guys. Sorry if there isn't enough info to make a diagnosis.Daryle.
Reply:Stop "dipping" the tungestion into your puddle.. 'Cause Thats what you are doing..The second you do that stop and regrind...How does one practice tig if your not just fusing Stainless where you need no filler..????????????????????Everything else requires itThats a new one to me... ...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:Sometimes I end up sharpening every few minutes.  As you get better you will sharpen less."Virtually Non Destructible" tungson.  then why do I keep buying it?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David R"Virtually Non Destructible" tungson.  then why do I keep buying it?
Reply:Zap, they are PRACTICING, not making structural welds.Besides that, we've been through the fusing argument before. It is not required for everything else. Thin mild steel fuses just fine for plenty of applications.Last edited by Joe H; 08-23-2007 at 11:30 PM.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:The only thing that we're doing is running straight down the center of a piece of metal, melting it with the torch, just to get a feel for the pedal and torch height, watching the arc in realation to the two, and making sure that we can see everything as good as possible, and are comfortable doing it without having to re-position our bodies during the weld. It looked like I was still above the workpiece with the tungsten, but obviously I must not have been above it. It looked sometimes like the heat of the arc, as I pushed on the pedal was melting it, when the arc length increased. Would the tungsten touching the metal, be the only cause, or is there something else that I should be really focused on, ( as I will be with the tungsten touching ) this time around? Thanks!Daryle.
Reply:The only other reasons for your tungsten to melt away would be:Too much heat for the tungsten diameter. Wrong polarity setting. If your machine was accidentally set to DCEP this would be a problem, AC could cause problems like this too.Or, as you have discovered, a shielding gas problem.Just keep practicing. You will occasionally need to regrind your tungsten, this is normal.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:I'm wondering if it was too much heat, as well as what Zap said. I did have it set on dc-. thanks alot guys! I can't wait until Monday's class!!!!Daryle.
Reply:Is the metal ground clean?  If its not, the mill scale and other junk can spit up into the tungsten, causing it to deform.Also, try knocking the very tip of the tungsten off after you sharpen it.  This will keep the tip from spitting off into the puddle.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joe HThe only other reasons for your tungsten to melt away would be:Too much heat for the tungsten diameter. Wrong polarity setting. If your machine was accidentally set to DCEP this would be a problem, AC could cause problems like this too.Or, as you have discovered, a shielding gas problem.Just keep practicing. You will occasionally need to regrind your tungsten, this is normal.
Reply:with less stickout you'll have less of an opportunity to dip in the puddle.  what exactly happens right before you figure you need to resharpen?  if it fizzles and melts immeaditely then you're polarity is probably backwards, so long as your resharpening so often anyway, might as well swap it so you know what it looks like, if its not shielding gas or polarity it just takes practie, something than can save time is to sharpen both ends of he electrode, just remember which ones they are, confusing them isn't a problem if you only use one type.
Reply:Originally Posted by SupeIs the metal ground clean?  If its not, the mill scale and other junk can spit up into the tungsten, causing it to deform.Also, try knocking the very tip of the tungsten off after you sharpen it.  This will keep the tip from spitting off into the puddle.
Reply:Originally Posted by dadHey guys, I am taking a Tig class, and am wondering why I am going through so much tungsten. I didn't get a chance to ask the instructor, and the next class isn't until this coming Monday, and it's driving me nuts! We are using a Lincoln precision tig 185, set @ 100A with the gas set at 15-20 ( cfh I think that is the correct initials for the term ), 1/8 " mild streel metal. We welded for about 45min.-1hr. I had to sharpen the electrode 4 or 5 times ( two of wich, was when I forgot to turn the gas regulator to the 15-20 cfh setting, so I didn't get any gas through the gun. I didn't have the pedal pushed down all the way, so I'm not sure the exact amps that I was using. We were not using any filler metal yet, to just get a feel for the gun and a look at the arc, and puddle. Next time we will be using filler though. I would like to have things to try when I get back there next week. Thanks guys. Sorry if there isn't enough info to make a diagnosis.Daryle.
Reply:I do remember taking the torch away from the steel too quickly, about half the time, and then think to myself that it needed to stay for post flow. Our instructor told us that it would effect our weld by doing that.  Would that make it melt and deform while I was running the next bead ? It was actually when I was welding that it would melt, deform etc. on me. Daryle.
Reply:how about a picture?Me!
Reply:Originally Posted by KTIBecause there is no way to remove just the steel from tungsten. If you were able to do this you wouldn't have to grind down any tungsten at all :-)
Reply:Originally Posted by dadI do remember taking the torch away from the steel too quickly, about half the time, and then think to myself that it needed to stay for post flow. Our instructor told us that it would effect our weld by doing that.  Would that make it melt and deform while I was running the next bead ? It was actually when I was welding that it would melt, deform etc. on me. Daryle.
Reply:I'll tell ya, every answer that you guys give is like a revelation! I think back and remember that what is being said is what I was doing. I think that I was also sticking it out too far as well, most of the time. I'm beginning to think that the only thing that I did right, is having it on DC-, getting gas to it after the first two runs, and talking to you guys. I know that our instructor could have helped me on some of this stuff, but he was busy with everyone else most of the time, and when he did come into the booth, it was just by coinsidence ( somewhere in the middle of the time that we were welding ) that I did the bead somewhat correct. Thanks alot guys! Keep things coming if you think of something, and don't mind sharing other possibilities with me.Daryle.
Reply:What type of tungsten are you using? I found that not having the proper shape point can lead to burning it up faster also, god tip helps.Me!
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!What type of tungsten are you using? I found that not having the proper shape point can lead to burning it up faster also, god tip helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by dadI'll tell ya, every answer that you guys give is like a revelation! I think back and remember that what is being said is what I was doing. I think that I was also sticking it out too far as well, most of the time. I'm beginning to think that the only thing that I did right, is having it on DC-, getting gas to it after the first two runs, and talking to you guys. I know that our instructor could have helped me on some of this stuff, but he was busy with everyone else most of the time, and when he did come into the booth, it was just by coinsidence ( somewhere in the middle of the time that we were welding ) that I did the bead somewhat correct. Thanks alot guys! Keep things coming if you think of something, and don't mind sharing other possibilities with me.Daryle.
Reply:Well, I'll tell ya, I really appreciate all of the feedback. It's like I've got a world full of instructors instead of one. Daryle.
Reply:if your not grinded off the mill scale thats probably whats happening.They coat mild steel with something to protect it from rust, and with tig it causes major problems with the tungsten, it gets hot and boils and sometimes the bubble bursts and spits the crap back onto the tungsten, which will make you need to resharpen.If everything else is set right, this is about the only thing that could be causing it other than you dipping the tungsten into the puddleHave we all gone mad?
Reply:thanks. I'll do something to clean it before I start on Monday.Daryle.
Reply:Originally Posted by dadthanks. I'll do something to clean it before I start on Monday.Daryle.Originally Posted by sn0border88They coat mild steel with something to protect it from rust
Reply:damn, I always thought it was a coating.Oh well.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Practice,practice,practice.  When my shakey hand crashes into the puddle,I stop take tungsten out of gun ,hold screwed-up end over edge of bench and break off with chipping hammer,then regrind .PIAJohn Learn from others mistakes: you can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
Reply:You can just regrind them unless you make it a big mess.Also you should cut them not break them, tungsten tends to split and fracture.  I am sure others will have a word on this...   If breaking them works for you have at it!Me!
Reply:I want to say thanks again guys! I am still having a hard time waiting until Monday evening, for the next class, but I got so many great lessons here, in this thread, that I'm going to make a list to take with me. Daryle.