Filler sticks to material as if it magnetic?

admin

tig welding with some 3/32 er70 filler today and I noticed that when I start an arc the filler seems to be attracted to the base metal as if it were magnetic. Trying to feed the puddle the filler rod would pull to the base metal ahead of the puddle and stick, very annoying. I know most troubles with anything can be related to the ground somehow, I made sure it was good and close to the work. I have noticed this before, just not as bad as today.Any one else experience this? Whats the deal?12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Stop welding magnets VPT. We are not falling for your hijinks again.
Reply:are you sure you don't have magnetic filler?
Reply:I've had the sticky filler phenomenon happen on steel.  You dip and the filler sticks a little.  Pretty sure if from a less than zen bead.  Not enough amps and speed.It's a very annoying feeling.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Not enough amps. Use a smaller filler rod. 3/32 is pretty thick for anything under 1/4 inch steel.
Reply:This was 1/4" steel. It isn't a filler sticking to metal problem, it was the actual filler attracted to the base metal like a magnet. I know what a cold puddle acts like and that sort of filler stick problem, this wasn't it. Around an inch away from the puddle the filler would attract to the base metal and stick to it until I dragged it away and lifted it again for another approach to the puddle.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Same thing happens to me on occasion and I still have no answer......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:Electric current creates a magnetic field. The current required to weld 1/4" steel can easily make a strong enough magnetic force to do what you describe. Try moving the ground clamp to the opposite side of your weldment and see if that helps.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:So today while waiting for the welder to cool down between welds I was bouncing the filler off the frame, bored. I noticed the filler I was using was magnetic by itself now without even welding. New filler out fo the tube isn't but after I used a filler for a short time it becomes magnetic.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Would the grounds magnetic field cause the filler to become magnetic? It is the only thing I can think of. What surface are you welding on?Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricWould the grounds magnetic field cause the filler to become magnetic? It is the only thing I can think of. What surface are you welding on?
Reply:If it becomes magnetic after a while, maybe you could run the filler though one of these?http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded...ord=magnetizerJust bought one for some screwdrivers and it works good. Maybe it's the answer in your case. kidtigger24  They think I’m crazy, but I know better. It is not I who am crazy. It is I who am MAD!
Reply:Metal on metal, or fabric builds a static charge. Over time that charge arranges itself through the material into a magnetic field. I use plastic handled screwdrivers, and they all seem to build a charge, especially if I've stripped a head, or have to use brute force to remove it. I think it really only affects small or thin objects, even though almost all steel has some slight magnetic property. Its just tok distributed or "massive" to notice.
Reply:VPT... Its funny you started this thread. I just noticed our TIG welder at work started doing the same thing yesterday. Today my apprentice wanted me to show him how to TIG weld so I fired up the welder and threw a piece of scrap on the table and ran a few welds on it. He started to lay a few beads with it and noticed the same thing. The filler wire was sticking to the base metal kinda making it a pain to weld with. He asked me what caused it and I had no answer.  I was hoping somebody here already had it figured out.  Oh well, The search continues.
Reply:I would agree with more amps. But-I usually use 3/32 on anything up to 1/8". As long as your filler is thinner than you base material, the more rod-the less time feeding.Just my opinion!
Reply:Originally Posted by kidtigger24If it becomes magnetic after a while, maybe you could run the filler though one of these?http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded...ord=magnetizerJust bought one for some screwdrivers and it works good. Maybe it's the answer in your case. kidtigger24
Reply:You would think the heat would disippate the magnetic field, as it kills neodimyum and rare earth mags alike. But it could also be the combination of dissimilar metals as well that continue to hold the charge. Since the ER series has small amounts of copper and other elements besides steel, they could be the reason it keeps its magnetic properties. Idano, starting to get into stuff I have begun to forget since High School.Since everything magnetic obviously has a "pole" have you tried flipping the filler back and forth?
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTThat is cheap! I always thought demagnetizers needed to be electric/plugged in? If you say it does work I may pick one up and give it a shot anyhow.I have noticed that with screw drivers as well sometimes. Hasn't bothered me much with screw drivers though and they always seem to demagnetize themselves after awhile somehow. But filler has to be used now, no time for waiting around for it. I would also think that because the filler is grounded at least half the time you are using it that it would demagnetize but it doesn't. It also seems to be just the tip of the filler that is magnetic, again I would think while welding and using up the rod, the part that is magnetized would be consumed?
Reply:Yep. Put/clamp a 3/4 or 1" piece of plate on one corner. Move it and the ground around until the problem is solved. This is a trick for DC Arc blow. Originally Posted by Silicon-basedElectric current creates a magnetic field. The current required to weld 1/4" steel can easily make a strong enough magnetic force to do what you describe. Try moving the ground clamp to the opposite side of your weldment and see if that helps.John
Reply:'Magnetic Domains'.. Just what ferrous metals do.  Some zones succeptable may not manifest themselves untill stimilated by some force such as another magnet in the area or slight current applied."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:You're going to get strong magnetic fields around your ground cable and power cable to your torch...maybe if the planets are aligned right and your work cable and torch cable are positioned perfectly, the magnetic fields coming off all of them are magnetizing your filler rod...
Reply:If your ground cable wraps around your work, then perhaps you are creating an electro magnet.
Reply:Yeasterday I hade to make a 250 mile drive to work which gave me a lot of time to think about this. This is what I came up with. Remember, this is all in "Theory" and I was bored so my brain started to wander. The electrical current follows the scratches left in the tungsten from sharpening and you always want your scratches going inline with the tungsten.  With that said, lets say you was in a hurry to sharpen your tungsten and the scratches had to much of a spiral in it, thus creating a spiral effect with the d.c. current running down the tungsten and onto the work piece.  If you think about it, d.c. current running through a continues wire in a coiled fashion with positive current on one side and negative current on the other side creates a magnetic field.
Reply:That is plausible. Even for a hack like me. I'd still try the dc arc blow trick. I believe that will significantly reduce the magnetism due to the surface area. And it's free. If you got a scrap pile. Originally Posted by Burnt GloveYeasterday I hade to make a 250 mile drive to work which gave me a lot of time to think about this. This is what I came up with. Remember, this is all in "Theory" and I was bored so my brain started to wander. The electrical current follows the scratches left in the tungsten from sharpening and you always want your scratches going inline with the tungsten.  With that said, lets say you was in a hurry to sharpen your tungsten and the scratches had to much of a spiral in it, thus creating a spiral effect with the d.c. current running down the tungsten and onto the work piece.  If you think about it, d.c. current running through a continues wire in a coiled fashion with positive current on one side and negative current on the other side creates a magnetic field.
Reply:I have no idea but it is funny you mention sharpening the tungsten long ways or around because there were a few times I not only ground the tip of the tung in line with the tung but I ground "around" it as well a little further up to get some deposits off of it. However I do this many times and never noticed the magnetic effect before but also like I mentioned I don't use the 3/32 filler real often either.I did leave the ground clamp in just a couple places but moved around to different areas while welding and it never changed.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829Heck I dunno. ... like I said I had a long drive and to much time to think.