tig beginner help

admin

Ive had my syncrowave 200 since august and am finally getting to use it. I'm not experienced at all with it. I'm welding 4130 to mild steel tubing right now.I'm still trying to figure out aluminum also. I have some 1/16 diamond plate and some scrap 1/8 angle for aluminum practice. Some setup help on tungsten size and cup would be helpful. Here are some of my welds from today on my atv frame. Critiquing would be appreciated. I'm using 1/8 4130 plate to mild steel tube, about 76 amps #7 cup and flow of 15 with 1/16 filler. Attached Images
Reply:Here are a few more. Attached Images
Reply:It's kinda hard to tell from your pics, but it looks like you are way too hot!! Travel speed too slow? What thickness of tube are you using? I would also recommend that you practice on something other than your ATV frame! Are you using a foot pedal? Your settings seem ok. The main thing is: practice, practice, practice! Get some 1\8" mild steel plate and practice running beads on that, then post some more pics. You'll get there!-------- john
Reply:Im not sure of tube thickness. Probably .025 Japanese tin. What do you mean too hot . Amp should be set lower?
Reply:Looks too hot to me too, but I also am a newbie.  Try less heat or travel faster so the heat doesn't soak in so much.  Do you have pulse?David
Reply:Originally Posted by Hott RacingIm not sure of tube thickness. Probably .025 Japanese tin. What do you mean too hot . Amp should be set lower?
Reply:I'll get back to you in the A.M.I Promise.. ...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:From the pictures, I'd say your running too hot and weaving too wide but from here it's only a guess. Foot pedal or finger adjustment?  Production welders are forced to run lower gas pressure by their companies to save cost but around my shop I personally kick the gas pressure up to around 20 or 25.  Practice on finess and learn first on thin stuff like 18ga. so you can learn to read and control your heat.Alum welding  > AC ,  pure tungsden, continuous start,  about 10 or 15 sec post flow,  clean as hell before you startDonDonM > ASME High Pressure Vessel
Reply:Thanks for the feed back. I have a foot control Ive been using and did get a rotary hand control but am a little dangerous with it . I'm a little slow at turning it off. Ive seen brooks work and don't know how he or the rest of you weldors keep your welds looking so good on circles upside down or all positions. I have a sub frame I made of 4130 and need to weld it. Do I need a jig? Even though my welds are too hot will they still hold without breaking. I have to use it for race in fl. In 2 weeks. Season starts and I had to get it done. I would have mig welded it but I would try my tig out.
Reply:Upon examining ther patient...You look like you need better gas coverage..I dont know cup sizes but I think a small cup (pinkey finger size) would give you better results..Right around 100 amps...Go a little slower with your dips and try to spaxce them out evenly..Start your puddle..Dip..Move ahead 1/8" ..Dip..Another 1/8" dip..And continue on a path like that..Post more pics and try to get the pics better too!.....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:Heres some more pictures. Attached Images
Reply:And these. Attached Images
Reply:I apoligize for my picture quility, but it matches weld quility.  . Not too good. I only have a picture phone.
Reply:You should keep the welding area as clean as possible ,you can use a 4" softer type flap disc to remove rust and coatings from the external layers of the tubing,also try to keep your welding tip as close as possible and leave it close to the puddle until the gas stops to flow when finishing a pass to shield it properly while it cools.
Reply:Still looks like your rushing it..Slow down..Take a deep breath..And continue..Even Even Even..Look at the dip as you pass on to the next one..Fill the dip the same amount every time and move along 1/8" at a time..It takes practice practice practice..But you'll get there soon enough...And clean the crap out of everything before you start.. ...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.