a few tig attempts

[simon718]

Was passing by the welding shop yesterday morning, and thought i'd call in and get some rods, unfortunately it was closed but I already had my heart set on having a go. So, i took the chipping hammer and some sandpaper to a handful of 7018s not the best idea, granted, but it was that or straightened coat hangers

all done at 80amps, 12lpm argon, plate was 4mm, the bar is 6mm. have to say it is a lot easier to feed 2.5mm rods through your fingers than 0.8mm mig wire! realise i should have cleaned the mill scale off the plate in the first pic, but i was too impatient

 

[Hitch]

You appear to have the technique, just get the steel nice and clean, and a propper rod will make the difference Simon.

I have been known to use a stick rod inplace of a tig if im in the stuck, out in the wilds somewhere. Stainless ones seem to work a bit better.

 

[Wedg1e]

You could probably turn the argon flow down and save gas! I use about 5 lpm most of the time...

 

[simon718]

cheers hitch will hopefully have a chance to get proper rods during the week

Wedg1e, i'm using an AirProducts integra cylinder, the flow is set by the little bayonet connecter, will have to see if i can get a lower one

 

[Omniata]

They can alter them on request Si but can be a little "funny" about it
If you ask "nicely" though and say it's for a "special project" they should help you out
Ask for a setting a "little lower" though, you can't change them yourself easily if it's too low and they won't be too happy if you want to swap before you've used much of it......

I've got some Murex CCMS 3.2mm mild steel TIG rods, I'll try to post some if you want?

 

[Hitch]

You should be able to get a 7lpm connector iirc.... or you could pipe it to a normal flow meter if you have one already.

 

[simon718]

i'll send a PM to chrissi, see if she can sell me one. Cheers for the offer OM but should be able to get some rods at the start of the week

 

[simon718]

another few - i have now burnt my thumbs and index fingers on both hands, and my lip (don't scratch your nose with a near red hot rod in your hand)

 

[Robotstar5]

i have now burnt my thumbs and index fingers on both hands, and my lip

Well, you know what they say - "no pain, no gain"

Nice looking welds tho'

 

[simon718]

Well, you know what they say - "no pain, no gain"

the stella has taken care of the pain for now cheers stu plenty more practice required methinks! have loads of stainless plate but have almost ran out of m/s, seems a shame to use m/s filler on stainless