misc newb questions on tig and maxstar

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hey all i bought a maxstar 150 STL recently and i have a bunch newb questionswhat filler rod is most popular with dc tig?should there be something loose inside the unit when you shake it?the gas regulator reads almost halfway to 1000 psi without any hookups.. is that normal?does the regulator need the teflon tape for argon?where can you buy a 20 amp power plug?aluminum acceptable with helium and dc? same tungsten?what happens if you turn the knob to 150 amps while in 115v mode?cheapest place for a gas cyl/tank ?and finally, what would happen if you tigged aluminum with flux coated aluminum stick rod as filler? would gas matter?
Reply:Originally Posted by tacotobaccohey all i bought a maxstar 150 STL recently and i have a bunch newb questionswhat filler rod is most popular with dc tig? Depends on what you are welding 70S2 or 70S6 for mild steel.  I use 308 for stainless.should there be something loose inside the unit when you shake it? No, and why are you shaking it?the gas regulator reads almost halfway to 1000 psi without any hookups.. is that normal? No, gauge or regulator is damaged. You mean without it on a bottle right?does the regulator need the teflon tape for argon? No, it's a tapered brass seat.where can you buy a 20 amp power plug? For the wall, or the cord?  Pretty much any hardware or electrical store for either.  aluminum acceptable with helium and dc? same tungsten?what happens if you turn the knob to 150 amps while in 115v mode? Tripped breaker, lower than selected output, or both.  I tried it, but don't remember the results with my new 150scheapest place for a gas cyl/tank ?and finally, what would happen if you tigged aluminum with flux coated aluminum stick rod as filler? would gas matter?
Reply:filler rod will depend on what you're welding.  er70s-2 (or er70s-6) are fairly common for steel.  4303 is common for aluminum (AC).what's without any hook up mean?  my argon bottle comes at 1600psi.  your regulator is suppose to regulate that pressure output to a constant lower (depend on where you set it) pressure.... like 12psi or 15psi.cheapest place for tanks is gonna depend on where you're located, fill in the location in your profile, and folks around your area can help you out.  i'm fairly new at this too, so if i answered some of the questions wrong, i'm sure someone will call me out on it. oh yeah, welcome to the forum.... lets melt some metal!!
Reply:Helium and DC is only for thicker AL. I don't think i've tried it on anything thinner than 3/8.You should pick up some er70s-2 or -6 308l in 1/16 and 3/32. I doubt you'll be doing much AL with that machine but if you do grab some 3/32 AL in 4043 and 5356 with a bottle of straight helium. The reg reads in CFH (cubic feet per hour) not psi. should be anywhere from 12-30 depending on what you are doing. No the reg should not read anything while disconnected. It's probably bad. There shouldnt be anything rattling inside the welder. U should get that checked out. You shouldnt trip a breaker with the dial maxed on 115v you just wont get full power. Have fun.
Reply:Thanks for the help.. I bought it used off ebay. seller replied with 'there was nothing loose inside of it when we shipped it out so I don't know what happpened.'I'll test it out later today, interested to see how this compares with my other inverter.Heres a pic of the regulator
Reply:Filler rod depends on what you're welding on.No, there was nothing loose inside the Maxstar I used to own.No, the inlet gauge should read zero when the regulator isn't hooked up.  Might just need a new gauge.  Take it to a local welding supply store and ask them to check it out.  Shouldn't cost too muchNo, you don't use teflon tape with regulators and gass fittings.  The nose of the fitting is tapered and compresses into the seat inside the valve.  The photos you posted show some scuffs or scratches on the fitting.  You might need to replace this to ensure no leaks.  Again, a qualified welding shop that sells gas should be able to inspect and recommend any needed repairs.Power plugs can be obtained from any home improvement store.  Talk to an electrician if you don't have experience wiring electrical appliances.No, aluminum is much more difficult to weld with DC TIG.  Most would say don't bother to try.Turning the amperage up to max while powered on 110V may work for a short time, or may immediately cause the circuit breaker to trip.  Impossible to predict exactly what will happen.Your local welding supplier is probably the best place to purchase argon.Using a SMAW electrode as filler metal while using a DC TIG torch to provide heat probably won't work.  I certainly would be surprised if it did work.  Originally Posted by tacotobaccohey all i bought a maxstar 150 STL recently and i have a bunch newb questionswhat filler rod is most popular with dc tig?should there be something loose inside the unit when you shake it?the gas regulator reads almost halfway to 1000 psi without any hookups.. is that normal?does the regulator need the teflon tape for argon?where can you buy a 20 amp power plug?aluminum acceptable with helium and dc? same tungsten?what happens if you turn the knob to 150 amps while in 115v mode?cheapest place for a gas cyl/tank ?and finally, what would happen if you tigged aluminum with flux coated aluminum stick rod as filler? would gas matter?
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doNo, aluminum is much more difficult to weld with DC TIG.  Most would say don't bother to try.
Reply:I'll play around with aluminum once i get the hang of tig on steel.. It may be better than the bird **** im getting with the aluminum stick rods.Anyway i tested the welder @ 150 amps and it works fine, but is the machine really putting out 150 amps or was the maximum already reached at 110 or whatever it can get at 115/20amp ?
Reply:Also, i purchased a package of tig rods labeled 'E70S-6'.. but the actual rods themselves are stamped R45.. I remember r45 being an oxy/acetylene filler rod?is r45 = e70s-6?
Reply:What filler rod is most popular with dc tig? Depends on what you are welding 70S2 or 70S6 for mild steel. I use 308 for stainless, 4043/5056 for alum.. Should there be something loose inside the unit when you shake it? No, and why are you shaking it? the gas regulator reads almost halfway to 1000 psi without any hookups.. is that normal? No, gauge or Regulator gauge is malfunctioning(stuck). Did you try tapping  on it lightly?Does the regulator need the teflon tape for argon? No, it's a tapered brass seat. I wet my fingers and dampin the seat to give it an hydraulic affect to help seal. Where can you buy a 20 amp power plug? For the wall, or the cord? Pretty much any hardware or electrical store. Aluminum acceptable with helium and dc? Use AC current. Same tungsten? Use Green pure tungsten for aluminum but alot of welders use different types. I used 2% thoriated lots of time for general quick aluminum welds.What happens if you turn the knob to 150 amps while in 115 volts mode? Tripped breaker, lower than selected output. Cheapest place for a gas cyl/tank ? your local welding shop. Rent? or own?What would happen if you tigged aluminum with flux coated aluminum stick rod as filler? would gas matter? I'm sure it will meld. If you knock off the flux use argon gas. It might work either way. I am curious myself.Hope this helps dude!
Reply:Is r45 = e70s-6?