Hey guys just found this place while searching for some tig welding tips and it seems like its a great place to try and get some help. I work in a welding shop as a tacker/fitter. I can't get welder pay until I pass a MIG/TIG test. The weld tests aren't hard at all for anyone who is decent at welding but I just cannot get my beads to come out like I want them to. They always come out grey, I'm guessing its from oxidation? Here are some pics.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/imag0134sy.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/imag0135j.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/254/imag0143e.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/imag0144qo.jpg/
On those practice runs, I was at 90-95 amps. I even tried 125 and tried speeding it up but still came out grey. I'm just laying the wire down and trying to go over it.Not sure what kinda machine I have, I just know its a miller. Same goes for tungsten :-\. I know the tungsten has a red tip though, if that helps any. I'm pretty sure I'm using a 1/8 filler rod. Cup size I believe is an 8. No foot control, just a button trigger on the gun. Sometimes, the beads will come out OK and have some color but I can't figure out what I do/did different than when they come out grey and oxidized. How can I get them to come out with that nice shiny red/brown/yellow color? I've tried different angles/length of tungsten sticking out, I just cannot seem to get past this and I'm getting frustrated.
oh yea, Ignore the 186 amp setting in that one pic, I use that for tacking :P
I think I've covered everything, if you guys need any more info/pics, let me know please!
EDIT: The tests I'm trying to prepare myself for are butt welds on Stainless Steel (6 inch,12 inch) and T joint. I believe the material is 10gauge, if not its 12.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/imag0134sy.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/imag0135j.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/254/imag0143e.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/imag0144qo.jpg/
On those practice runs, I was at 90-95 amps. I even tried 125 and tried speeding it up but still came out grey. I'm just laying the wire down and trying to go over it.Not sure what kinda machine I have, I just know its a miller. Same goes for tungsten :-\. I know the tungsten has a red tip though, if that helps any. I'm pretty sure I'm using a 1/8 filler rod. Cup size I believe is an 8. No foot control, just a button trigger on the gun. Sometimes, the beads will come out OK and have some color but I can't figure out what I do/did different than when they come out grey and oxidized. How can I get them to come out with that nice shiny red/brown/yellow color? I've tried different angles/length of tungsten sticking out, I just cannot seem to get past this and I'm getting frustrated.
oh yea, Ignore the 186 amp setting in that one pic, I use that for tacking :P
I think I've covered everything, if you guys need any more info/pics, let me know please!
EDIT: The tests I'm trying to prepare myself for are butt welds on Stainless Steel (6 inch,12 inch) and T joint. I believe the material is 10gauge, if not its 12.
