This is my first legitimate post. The topic is the main reason I joined the forum. There are lots of frustrating things one goes thru when learning to weld. This particular problem is notable in that one can perform a passible tig weld all the way around the pipe just to have a crater show up at the weld termination. Ive included a few pics showing outside and inside demonstrating some of my welds. One of the pics shows a particularly egregious termination crater with a significant internal dimple. So that is the current issue Im struggling with. The tubing is 304 series 0.065 wall thickness. The tube ends were faced. The tubing wiped down with acetone immediately prior to welding. Pure argon purging gas at 10-12 lpm with plugs. Machine is an EASB 205ic. Setting are 2T 0.5 sec ramp up and 2.0 sec ramp down. Foot pedal with max amps of 47. Any thoughts?
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Reply:First, it looks like you are cooking the hell out of it on the outside. Running too slow while the pipe is very hot. Have to watch your temps between quadrants.Your inside is jumpy, so your getting hot spots, then almost jumping to the next spot.Your inside color looks good, but could use more purge. Purge all depends on your openings. My normal purge is 20 CFM, but I have had to purge with the flowmeter max before. I also have special purge setups for all kinds of situations. I would increase your amps to 50. Weave faster and more consistantly. Only weld 1 quadrant at a time on small pieces like that. That creator will solve itself once the tube cools down.Also... if you ever can see your weave, in your weld, you are way to hot.