TIG welded Razor blades.

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So I figured I'd do some practice TIG on some razor blades. I keep getting mixed results. If I get the tungsten to ABOUT touch and then hit the pedal, sometimes I puddle, sometimes I keyhole. No consistency there, Just seems to be luck of the draw. I included close ups of the 'better' welds I did. Welder is a 2015 AHP AlphaTIG 200X Amps: 241/16" 2% lanthanated electrode #5 gas lenseAnyhow, these are what I've been working on. I put the 'best 3' to the top right. Comments?James AHP 200X TIGMillerMatic 175DaytonaMIG 135Chinese O/A
Reply:Looks like you weaved the last one?what thickness? Looks like the thick ones
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313Looks like you weaved the last one?what thickness? Looks like the thick ones
Reply:If you touch your filler down where you want to start and light up on the filler it helps to prevent keyholing
Reply:Originally Posted by Sharon NeedlesIf you touch your filler down where you want to start and light up on the filler it helps to prevent keyholing
Reply:Using the filler to touch off with is a good idea. The smallest filler I have for 308 SS is 1/16"Guess I will go get a pound of .035... Should I get 308 or 309? I'm thinking 309.James AHP 200X TIGMillerMatic 175DaytonaMIG 135Chinese O/A
Reply:Most blades are 40 thousands, you will probably have to get a little lower on the amps to get a nice flowing puddle. Also, try laying them on a block of aluminum to conduct some of the heat way. Your machine might run a little hot, just because it says 24 amps doesn't mean it's welding at that setting.
Reply:Originally Posted by tigerstripe40Using the filler to touch off with is a good idea. The smallest filler I have for 308 SS is 1/16"Guess I will go get a pound of .035... Should I get 308 or 309? I'm thinking 309.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sharon NeedlesYou can use regular steel MIG wire for filler if you've got some laying around.
Reply:What is the point of this exercise?
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGWhat is the point of this exercise?
Reply:Welding thick metal is easy, welding thin material takes skill.
Reply:OK, but I think there's currently a hiring freeze on razor blade welders. Also, all thick metal is not necessarily easy to weld. We have some 1.5'' wall 321 stainless pipe at the moment that is giving some people fits.
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGOK, but I think there's currently a hiring freeze on razor blade welders. Also, all thick metal is not necessarily easy to weld. We have some 1.5'' wall 321 stainless pipe at the moment that is giving some people fits.
Reply:I think you should try to find some sheet metal or some tubing to practice on. Pretty sure you can find some for less than $1,000.
Reply:It's kinda fun. I use the .009 blades with 308 .045 filler at about 10-12 amps  1/16th tungsten. I use a 2inch square piece of aluminum (solid) as a backer to suck some heatout though.