First time TIG

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Hello hello,Now that I got my new HTP Invertig 201 all set up, it was time to start teaching myself to tig.I ran a few beads without filler, was getting confident enough to try a butt weld on some 1/8" stainless. Here's the result:I set the max current to 70 amps, argon flow at 18cfh. 1/16" Ceriated tungsten ground to a point w/ a #6 gas cup, and 1/16" 308L filler rod. Comments?
Reply:It looks like your technique is not too far off but your bead looks like it got a little hot.  In order to keep the color of the bead as it should be, you need to use plenty of shielding and not a lot of heat.  The finished weld should ideally be bright and silvery or golden.  Even a little color is ok, but the dull grey of your weld indicates too much heat.  Also, the orangy ring around your HAZ makes me think that your weld was contaminated.Keep practicing, stainless is a little tricky.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldrwomnIt looks like your technique is not too far off but your bead looks like it got a little hot.  In order to keep the color of the bead as it should be, you need to use plenty of shielding and not a lot of heat.  The finished weld should ideally be bright and silvery or golden.  Even a little color is ok, but the dull grey of your weld indicates too much heat.  Also, the orangy ring around your HAZ makes me think that your weld was contaminated.Keep practicing, stainless is a little tricky.
Reply:filler getting stuck was a problem for me when I tigged stainless and titanium...very annoying....
Reply:My first thought was that I needed to move a little faster maybe? But then my weld pool gets pretty small.Hmmm.
Reply:The best way to learn is to spend time fiddling around and finding out what works are you using a gas lens to smooth out the flow of shielding gas?
Reply:I've never used an inverter, so I may be clueless, but for welding 1/8" SS I would use a 3/32" tungsten @ 130 amps on my square wave machine. The puddle would develop quicker and allow a faster travel speed.Rex
Reply:I will try that tonight. I was wondering if I should move up a size... Thanks for the tip!
Reply:Did some more practice tonight on some .065 SS304 tubing I am going to be building an exhaust out of. Much better once I lowered the peak amps to 45. Still having few issues with the filler, its not going in like it should. I think I will try getting some smaller filler. I was using 1/16". Going to try some .045" when I get a chance to pick some up.
Reply:looks kinda like my first time.
Reply:stainless is tough why don't you get used to some mild steel first. try something rather thick so you can pour some heat to it and really see what is going on. the weld smaple you posted was pretty dirty as well. as with all welding clean metal = clean welds