Tig nightmares .. I quit..

[pedrobedro]

i would knock the acetate on the head if thats the case and your electrode could be sharper

I think he means acetone. The tungstens in the picture look like they have been in contact with the weld pool or filler rod and the "weld" looks like it's been done from too far away.

 

[eSCHEn]

This place and you peeps are all awesome

I can't offer any advice Noods as I'm a total novice but if you can take up Richard on his offer then I'm sure he can help. Just look at the sweet ass beads he has in his avatar!

@J.B. Welding - I've got a kitty set aside and once I've saved up my beans I'll be coming to see you

 

[Richard.]

I'm sure he can help. Just look at the sweet ass beads he has in his avatar!

Photoshop really can polish a terd

 

[eSCHEn]

Photoshop really can polish a terd

Don't want to derail noods' thread but I welded up a swing frame for the wife's birthday over the weekend. I'll take a photo of the beads and photoshop them - that'll convince you that no amount of 'shopping can fix some piles of poo!

 

[Richard.]

I've never used it myself but my mrs photos newborns for a living and she can turn the ugliest kid into the next miss California.

 

[ukracer]

Noods I'm not going to guess at what might be your nightmare here because it could be anything. What I will say is I'm just over an hour from you and the offer is there if you want to bring the little buddy over and a pack of 4 to cover my argon usage and I'm more than happy to help you tackle some tiggy problems.

Is it OK if I move closer lol

 

[Gavin_d]

No Richard I was asking where Nood's is from. Was going to offer what you have if he lives not to caw away. I'm no instructor but I'm sure I can help get him started on the right path.

 

[Noods]

Thanks all..
It's just when you spend many hours preparing a project and then each and every time you end up binning it due to the welding it's so B..... Soul destroying ..

Yes the pressure seems to stay up when not in use.. I've tried adjusting the slope down too.. But then it's not the end of the weld that's crap it's all of it right from the off..

I've bought new rods etc and there's been no improvement .. I've tried welding up close, with a tig finger and I've tried moving away..

Yes I've had one to one on a couple of occasions, was told "you took to that like a duck....."
But that was just running a bead sample.. As soon as I try to use my new skill, to actually make something, it ruins it..

To produce the rubbish I did this morning was. 4 hours of changing variables etc.. Tell me I couldn't be spending my time better elsewhere..
Ps the tutors I've been too were truly brilliant welders too.. Rather far away though..

To my defence, I'm allegedly very skilled with art and the like so I have a good eye and hand etc ..

I also seem to constantly be messing up the ceramics too, all the spitting etc just collects around the cup edge like black volcanic stuff..

Thanks for trying all.. Your amazing guys!
And yes Richard.. 50 welding hours on hrs since It was bin heading... I've still not produced a worthwhile piece..

 

[Maker]

I also seem to constantly be messing up the ceramics too, all the spitting etc just collects around the cup edge like black volcanic stuff..

It definitely sounds like a gas problem to me.

 

[Richard.]

An excellent welder can be a hopeless tutor and a hopeless welder can be an excellent tutor.
You haven't taken to it like a duck to water because that duck has a very sore ar$e. You can put in a thousand hours Noods but if it's a thousand hours of doing things wrong then your not going to get better. I wish you every bit of luck don't give up on it and the offer is always there.

 

[Bill Edwards]

If I were you, I'd gather up plenty bits of metal and take up Richard's kind offer.
As part of that you should be able to replicate the 'real world/project' type of joints which you are struggling with, rather than having a repeat of leaving a lesson after doing OK on some bits but without trying (and failing) at the ones you are now struggling with.

 

[Noods]

Top to bottom.. Burnt and new ceramics.. Burnt electrode.. And two ground electrodes ..

Anyone who knows me will testify that I've endless patience.. Always polishing items, paintings to incredible detail etc ...

 

[Noods]

No Richard I was asking where Nood's is from. Was going to offer what you have if he lives not to caw away. I'm no instructor but I'm sure I can help get him started on the right path.

I'm in ipswich .. NOODS..

 

[Richard.]

I've never seen ceramics turn black like that before. Does it wipe off. Is it soot?

 

[Noods]

I've never seen ceramics turn black like that before. Does it wipe off. Is it soot?

No mate it's like volcanic... Rock hard.. Straight to the bin..

 

[Leetig]

That is strange. Has to be a gas issue! Noods don't be getting fed up with your welds cos you can't weld with that going on. Where did you get gas from? I asked you earlier does your tungsten disappear up inside the cup. If so no gas coverage.

 

[waddycall]

I'm no expert but I can usually get a half decent weld on mild and stainless. I've got the thermal arc version of your welder. To be honest it sounds like a bit of a strange joint to me and I'm wondering if that could be causing some gas coverage issues.
Have you tried welding just one of the two 3mm plates to the 6mm? I'm guessing it would be a lap weld.
How are the plates being cut?
Also is the torch connected positive or negative?
What are you using to grind the tungsten?

There must be gas coming from the ceramic. When it doesn't the tungsten disappears. I'm wondering if the polarity is reversed as I seem to recall I've had similar problems when I've done that accidentally!

Stick with it!

 

[Noods]

That is strange. Has to be a gas issue! Noods don't be getting fed up with your welds cos you can't weld with that going on. Where did you get gas from? I asked you earlier does your tungsten disappear up inside the cup. If so no gas coverage.

Hate to say it but I get it all.. If I don't stick the electrode to the work, which to be fair is not often these days.. I sometimes get a blob on the end of it.. Which I think is when the dipping touches the tip? .. However whatever I attempt it's crap.. Ever since I've had this welder it's been a crap finish. I've used others and I've been fairly good with them..

 

[Noods]

I'm no expert but I can usually get a half decent weld on mild and stainless. I've got the thermal arc version of your welder. To be honest it sounds like a bit of a strange joint to me and I'm wondering if that could be causing some gas coverage issues.
Have you tried welding just one of the two 3mm plates to the 6mm? I'm guessing it would be a lap weld.
How are the plates being cut?
Also is the torch connected positive or negative?
What are you using to grind the tungsten?

There must be gas coming from the ceramic. When it doesn't the tungsten disappears. I'm wondering if the polarity is reversed as I seem to recall I've had similar problems when I've done that accidentally!

Stick with it!

Even by trying a single lap joint it's messy and crap.. Gas from elmdale .. I've used a diamond tip cutting wheel and a bench grinder to sharpen rods.. No changes really what ever I use..

This is my tig.. Earth lead to right lower... tig torch gas connection to centre.. Tig torch conn left lower. And just above that gas in connector ..
NOODS

 

[wheresmejumper]

Have you any stainless?
when everything is perfect,tig is a female dog to learn.put one element off and its actually impossible.not hard,impossible