Standout bright flash during TIG welding steel ???

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Hi all,Was TIG welding some half inch steel threaded rod to steel checker plate 2.5mm thick using copper coated steel filler rod - all went well for the most part, then all the sudden i had a really bright burst of light - might have touched the tungsten with the filler rod. Am I doing something wrong ? or is this because i touched the tungsten - also noticed the tungsten was red hot.Tungsten was 1.5mm diameter and 1.5% lanthanated, running 60amps DCEN scratch start Kemppi Minarc inverter TIG/Stick welder + Argon running at 10 L/m.Thoughts...?ChelaChelaSydney, Australia - "Knowing is more precious than Having"Kemppi Minarc, 150 VRD- Small but capable- TIG / Stick
Reply:it could be the touching to the tungsten or maybe the coating on the all thread. But not entirely sure.6G zirconium 702 GTAW 2" xxheavy6G P.E.D. carbon steel GTAW 2" xxheavy3G titanium Gr. 2 - Gr. 7 GTAW up to 3/4" 3G 316L stainless GTAW up to 1" 3G carbon steel GTAW up to 1" 3G Hastalloy GTAW up to 3/4"1G tantalum GTAW up to .060"
Reply:was the tungsten contaminated after the "flash"Are you using an auto hood?Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I had this problem a few times. I think it was caused by dirty material or something on the material I was welding. I always cleaned up the tungsten after this and cleaned up the material better and all went well. I only had a cheap Harbor Freight tig which made me think at the time it was the welder but it wasn't.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Sn0border88, I'm using a speedglas auto hood set a 12 shade but sensitivity...i've just noticed could be cranked up a bit.Welder155 & Jamlit, the tungsten did have some metal on it and looking a bit closer the thread ended up with a bit of a yellowish grey colour to it....maybe coated ??I think i need to ensure i have my metals a bit cleaner as well as some more practice hehe - well that ain't a bad thing ...more practice Thanks Guys !!ChelaChelaSydney, Australia - "Knowing is more precious than Having"Kemppi Minarc, 150 VRD- Small but capable- TIG / Stick