Tri Mix

admin

I have a project to do but not sure which gas?  the base metal is .0625 stainless, not sure which alloy.  I have already done a bunch of al work which i used argon for.  but when i tried doing some ss tig all i got was a mess.  i was using 1/16" 2% tungsten, 308 filler pure argon and about 70-90 amp? (it was awhile ago)  when ever i tried to add filler i would get a black buger.  it was nothing like the al work i had been doing.  so i talked to a couple of retired welders and they told me to try using tri mix.  Ok great which version of tri-mix it seems to vary depending on which supply i go to some say ar/he/o som ar/he/co2 and of course they all vary in precentages.  some maybe i have stired the pot here as to opinions, but i an looking for something that will help me to produce nice welds.  I am kinda a prefectionist, i dont mind things not being perfect at first, but they damn well get better after that.  Oh my set up is a Miller syncrowave 180, with a PC-300 pulser.  not water cooler yet, that is the project on the bench now, well soon to be. just moved into a new place and just recently finished the garage, still building shelves for everything.  would have been done way back, but the #$%@ fire season kept going on and on and on oh well more $$thanks for any input.
Reply:I can't comment on  the gas, if it was my welder supply,they would have only one choice.  Just like tungsten.  We have red or green, what size?Are you welding forhand or push?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:i guess i am welding forehand?? I weld left to right and fill from my left in front of the puddle. oh and red band tungsten- thats is what the book recomended.jim
Reply:For forehand, the tungsten should be pointing towards the finish line.  This is to keep the gas in place.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:ok yes then i am welding forehand.  Any suggestions other wise??
Reply:Pure argon should be fine for SS. The addition of helium and oxygen will make a hotter arc. Helium has a hotter ionization potential. I wouldn't weld SS with any gas containing CO2. It can induce extra carbon. --Gol'
Reply:regardless of what's being welded, with the TIG process you CANNOT use any shield gas containg O2 or CO2- the result is an oxidized tungsten and a wrecked weld!as a general rule only noble gases (argon, helium or a mix of the two) for TIG. although gas mixs can provide benefits, pure argon is fine for all TIG workKF60WC,the dark colour is oxidation of the SS. the filler must stay within the gas shield to protect it from oxidization- if the hot end is withdrawn between 'dips' it will oxidize and the next dip will contaminate the weld (the dark colour)
Reply:Try mix won't work.  What welder do you use, AC-HF.  More info.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Straight Argon..Gas Lenz..1/16" Red..70 amps max...Try that.....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:Originally Posted by KF6OWCI have a project to do but not sure which gas?  the base metal is .0625 stainless, not sure which alloy.  I have already done a bunch of al work which i used argon for.  but when i tried doing some ss tig all i got was a mess.  i was using 1/16" 2% tungsten, 308 filler pure argon and about 70-90 amp? (it was awhile ago)  when ever i tried to add filler i would get a black buger.  it was nothing like the al work i had been doing.  so i talked to a couple of retired welders and they told me to try using tri mix.  Ok great which version of tri-mix it seems to vary depending on which supply i go to some say ar/he/o som ar/he/co2 and of course they all vary in precentages.  some maybe i have stired the pot here as to opinions, but i an looking for something that will help me to produce nice welds.  I am kinda a prefectionist, i dont mind things not being perfect at first, but they damn well get better after that.  Oh my set up is a Miller syncrowave 180, with a PC-300 pulser.  not water cooler yet, that is the project on the bench now, well soon to be. just moved into a new place and just recently finished the garage, still building shelves for everything.  would have been done way back, but the #$%@ fire season kept going on and on and on oh well more $$thanks for any input.
Reply:weldgault  WeldingWeb Foreman   Join Date: Sep 2007Location: Houston, TexasPosts: 605   Re: Tri Mix --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Try mix won't work. What welder do you use, AC-HF. More info. John__________________SMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases. There all here.  the welder is a miller syncrowave 180 SDI tried using straight polarity with HF start.  i think though i was using 3/32" filler, which i didnt know was to big.  would a roll of .035 solid wire be a better option as a filler?  also i dont think the puddle was near hot enough or big enough. so how big should the puddle be?  what angle should i use to introduce the filler?.  thanks for the gas correction, it saves me $$$ on a bottle of mix. I wont be until after xmas before i get to plaay with this.  I have to built up a table for my shop, and my all of my welding stuff is at the old house.  but i get it next week.  thank you for the infojim