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I just tried TIG on 3/16th scrap mild. I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of what the underside of the weld should look like. Some of mine are flat and show heat and some look like I welded the underside LOL. I started out with just the torch on 80 DCEN and that was making a very thin bead. I stepped up to 100 with pedal and that was better thn went up to 130 and that seemed just a tad hot or I was moving too slow. The pulse feature sure helps the appearance of the welds though. Left ac balance on auto and that seemed fine. This is all on a Precision Tig 225 with 3/32 thoriated tungsten ground to a sharp point with a 7 cup. I had it set on DCEP from the last bit of SMAW I wa doing. That absolutely destroyed my first tungsten. LOL the joys of learning.
Reply:For the record If your welding DC as you say (and what you should use for mild steel) AC balance won't do anything as the source isn't AC. Also for that matter I would learn how to weld without a pulser, they are useful for thin gauge when you don't want to blow through, but I managed to weld for 3-4 years before I ran into a machine with the pulser turned on and that included working as a sheet metal welder. Not neccessary on anything over 0.100" Are you running bead on plate? or a actual weld joint. For material that thick you shouldn't be penetrating with just a bead on plate (or you're way over heating the plate). Ideally you want a root that's just flush to slightly dropped through 1/16th max. Anything more won't give you any stregnth, but anything less is a flaw. The root should be consuming the edges and you don't want any grape clusters or wire or anything else sticking below the root. Sorry I don't have any pictures on hand.Also as a suggestion a number 7 cup is a little on the small side for work that thick, a slightly larger one might be a little bit easier to use, and give better coverage.Welding EngineerCertified Scrap Producer
Reply:I changed the cup to 8 and got much better with the droop. What a donkey on the balance issue......DUH. I was going WAAAAYYYYY too slow. I posted a picture under a new thread of my first few attempts. I like to leave the pulser on about 1 PPS just to help me time the dip and move (if you will) while learning. Is that bad? Once it becomes muscle memory I can turn it off but I dont think it is doing any harm is it? |
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