- Thread starter Retired
- Start date
Hi,
Thanks slim. Knitting fog for me would be easier than TIG welding after all I used to work 12 hour night shifts knitting crimplene and jersey etc on industrial knitting machines so I'm sure I'd have more success knitting fog.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon I was just about ready to visit The Wakefield Welding Center to find out state of play; another interruption though; our neighbours gardener visited us for a natter; when he departed I decided to phone TWWC and did so; I spoke to a lady and asked to speak to Jim and was put on hold; a few minutes later the line died; it was 5 o'clock closing time at TWWC; if I tried to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge there would be an hay cart passing below; just how much bad luck can be piled on me everytime I try to do anything associated with TIG welding; will I ever get everything together at once?
Kind regards, Colin.
Thanks slim. Knitting fog for me would be easier than TIG welding after all I used to work 12 hour night shifts knitting crimplene and jersey etc on industrial knitting machines so I'm sure I'd have more success knitting fog.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon I was just about ready to visit The Wakefield Welding Center to find out state of play; another interruption though; our neighbours gardener visited us for a natter; when he departed I decided to phone TWWC and did so; I spoke to a lady and asked to speak to Jim and was put on hold; a few minutes later the line died; it was 5 o'clock closing time at TWWC; if I tried to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge there would be an hay cart passing below; just how much bad luck can be piled on me everytime I try to do anything associated with TIG welding; will I ever get everything together at once?
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
WOW; Bron and I have just returned from TWWC and in my workshop now stands a full BOC 20L cylinder of argon; the replacement Parweld regulator has not arrived at TWWC hence the delay. What truly helpful people they are at TWWC; the faulty regulator was collected from them and they returned my original 20L cylinder to BOC; it was a full cylinder but was only reading 200 bar on the regulator when it should read 230 bar; ever so slowly the problems are being resolved; I've now got everything I need to resume TIG practice; whoopee.
Kind regards, Colin.
WOW; Bron and I have just returned from TWWC and in my workshop now stands a full BOC 20L cylinder of argon; the replacement Parweld regulator has not arrived at TWWC hence the delay. What truly helpful people they are at TWWC; the faulty regulator was collected from them and they returned my original 20L cylinder to BOC; it was a full cylinder but was only reading 200 bar on the regulator when it should read 230 bar; ever so slowly the problems are being resolved; I've now got everything I need to resume TIG practice; whoopee.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
Yesterday I gathered up all the oak leaves; in the afternoon I washed and dried the car then had a soak in the bath leaving a clear run for the weekend in the workshop.
4 o'clock this morning it occurred to me I was being silly expecting to get on with some welding; even when I set everything up it still falls apart; welder; regulator; gas; tungstens etc; filler rods; big stock of aluminium and a full weekend free at last surely nothing else could trip me up. When I left the cylinder and faulty regulator with TWWC I also left the flow meter; I bet you can't guess where the flow meter is? TWWC is closed Saturday and I've just checked Olympus Welding in Huddersfield but they too are closed; the faulty regulator is now with Parweld and if Jim hasn't removed the flow meter it too will now be with Parweld. I can't carry on blaming bad luck; it's just the way I am and I've learned to live with it; I got through the angry and annoyed stage years ago so now I just accept each silly problem as it's heaped upon me; I clear each problem then immediately move on to the next problem; it's early days yet and I'm only 14 weeks into trying to TIG weld; some day in the future I believe all my Christmases will come at once.
I could of course weld without flow meter but I've already gone through £204 in gas plus added many miles on to the car so bring on the problems in fact I'm looking forward to the next problem once I have the flow meter back home; if my flow meter is indeed with Parweld I'll not mess about but buy a new flow meter from Jim at TWWC.
I'll now add something to the welding trolley to secure the larger cylinder then cut up some aluminium practice blanks; I might even do a bit of metal spinning. As I type our black car is white after a severe overnight frost and it's bitterly cold outside; I'll wander down to the workshop wrapped up like an Eskimo and switch on the fan heater; I'll soon warm up and be comfortable; I always believe there are many better off than me.
Kind regards, Colin.
Yesterday I gathered up all the oak leaves; in the afternoon I washed and dried the car then had a soak in the bath leaving a clear run for the weekend in the workshop.
4 o'clock this morning it occurred to me I was being silly expecting to get on with some welding; even when I set everything up it still falls apart; welder; regulator; gas; tungstens etc; filler rods; big stock of aluminium and a full weekend free at last surely nothing else could trip me up. When I left the cylinder and faulty regulator with TWWC I also left the flow meter; I bet you can't guess where the flow meter is? TWWC is closed Saturday and I've just checked Olympus Welding in Huddersfield but they too are closed; the faulty regulator is now with Parweld and if Jim hasn't removed the flow meter it too will now be with Parweld. I can't carry on blaming bad luck; it's just the way I am and I've learned to live with it; I got through the angry and annoyed stage years ago so now I just accept each silly problem as it's heaped upon me; I clear each problem then immediately move on to the next problem; it's early days yet and I'm only 14 weeks into trying to TIG weld; some day in the future I believe all my Christmases will come at once.
I could of course weld without flow meter but I've already gone through £204 in gas plus added many miles on to the car so bring on the problems in fact I'm looking forward to the next problem once I have the flow meter back home; if my flow meter is indeed with Parweld I'll not mess about but buy a new flow meter from Jim at TWWC.
I'll now add something to the welding trolley to secure the larger cylinder then cut up some aluminium practice blanks; I might even do a bit of metal spinning. As I type our black car is white after a severe overnight frost and it's bitterly cold outside; I'll wander down to the workshop wrapped up like an Eskimo and switch on the fan heater; I'll soon warm up and be comfortable; I always believe there are many better off than me.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hopefuldave
Intergalactic pot-mender
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An improviser replies....
If you're after a known flow rate, jubilee clip a piece of hose over the ceramic shroud on the torch (not too tight!), up-end a 2 litre fizzy pop bottle full of water with the hose poked in in a bowl of water, time it filling the bottle with argon? e.g if it takes 20 seconds to fill (or empty, looking at it the other way) you're running 6 L/min, 15 seconds is 8 L/min etc. Repeat until you find the right spot on the output pressure gauge - may take a few tries, but would get you up and running!
Dave H. (the other one)
If you're after a known flow rate, jubilee clip a piece of hose over the ceramic shroud on the torch (not too tight!), up-end a 2 litre fizzy pop bottle full of water with the hose poked in in a bowl of water, time it filling the bottle with argon? e.g if it takes 20 seconds to fill (or empty, looking at it the other way) you're running 6 L/min, 15 seconds is 8 L/min etc. Repeat until you find the right spot on the output pressure gauge - may take a few tries, but would get you up and running!
Dave H. (the other one)
slim_boy_fat
Member
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Hi,
Many thanks Dave.H for your interesting suggestion; the only problem I can see with it is obtaining a 2 litre fizzy pop bottle given my luck.
Thanks slim; I think I got it right first time.
I've high hopes of
before Christmas; I'll put the car into remote on Monday; it knows it's way to TWWC; I've filled it with fuel for further trips. 
Kind regards, Colin.
Every little helps; new cylinder securing strap made this morning.
The Wakefield Welding Centre 2020 calendar proudly displayed.
Many thanks Dave.H for your interesting suggestion; the only problem I can see with it is obtaining a 2 litre fizzy pop bottle given my luck.
Thanks slim; I think I got it right first time.
I've high hopes of
before Christmas; I'll put the car into remote on Monday; it knows it's way to TWWC; I've filled it with fuel for further trips. Kind regards, Colin.
Every little helps; new cylinder securing strap made this morning.
The Wakefield Welding Centre 2020 calendar proudly displayed.
Hi,
I didn't bother visiting TWWC yesterday and I've not visited today either; I need a rest from chasing my tail trying to TIG weld so I've been clearing leaves etc and for a change being idle; this morning I did fit the new BOC regulator to the cylinder and am flushed with success in this going to plan. I'm waiting for TIG welding to catch up with me because the harder I try the worse it seems to become; I'm more fed up than downhearted mostly due to the many miles and wasted time I've been racking up; I've emailed TWWC asking if they can supply 1mm tungstens; collets and collet holders; I'm excellent at spending lots of money gathering kit but not being able to weld. I've got another window of opportunity this coming weekend giving me two full days to spend time in the workshop; I can always dream.
Kind regards, Colin.
I didn't bother visiting TWWC yesterday and I've not visited today either; I need a rest from chasing my tail trying to TIG weld so I've been clearing leaves etc and for a change being idle; this morning I did fit the new BOC regulator to the cylinder and am flushed with success in this going to plan. I'm waiting for TIG welding to catch up with me because the harder I try the worse it seems to become; I'm more fed up than downhearted mostly due to the many miles and wasted time I've been racking up; I've emailed TWWC asking if they can supply 1mm tungstens; collets and collet holders; I'm excellent at spending lots of money gathering kit but not being able to weld. I've got another window of opportunity this coming weekend giving me two full days to spend time in the workshop; I can always dream.
Kind regards, Colin.
Munkul
Jack of some trades, Master of none
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Why on earth do you want 1mm tungstens? You don't need em. You can use a sharpened 2.4mm tungsten for everything other than welding coke cans together (not something I've had any success with personally) in which 1.6mm tungstens do the job just fine (along with the person's skill to acheive it!)
I have to say, I got a load of 1.6mm consumables when I started TIG welding, and the ONLY time I've ever used them was for the aforementioned coke can experiment (which failed miserably).
You don't NEED a flowmeter to TIG weld, it's just best practice and will give guaranteed results. But using the regulator as a flowmeter on the LP gauge does work, as does just turning it up til you can hear a nice hiss from the nozzle. You might not even notice any difference. Might...
I have to say, I got a load of 1.6mm consumables when I started TIG welding, and the ONLY time I've ever used them was for the aforementioned coke can experiment (which failed miserably
). You don't NEED a flowmeter to TIG weld, it's just best practice and will give guaranteed results. But using the regulator as a flowmeter on the LP gauge does work, as does just turning it up til you can hear a nice hiss from the nozzle. You might not even notice any difference. Might...
Hi,
Boys and their toys Munkul.
I've been looking at welding currents for sizes of tungstens and as I'm not strapped for cash the cost of a few tungstens won't trouble me and as I'm still a novice I'm interested in all aspects of TIG welding; everyone I've seen so far uses a flow meter for the gas so this looks like the way to go for me too; I don't have the experience to choose whether or not to use a flow meter; I'm still very much a novice regarding TIG welding but I certainly won't be blaming my kit.
If a 2.4mm tungsten can do the work of a 1mm tungsten then why make the different sizes of tungsten? I don't know hence I joined this forum and whilst I'm still gathering kit I'm doing research in order to expand my limited knowledge of TIG welding.
I have many hobbies including woodworking and furniture making; I have five routers having lots of router cutters some of these in boxed sets I might never use but if I do need them I have them; I've got expensive power tools that spend most of their life under the bench but when needed they are needed badly; Bron and I haven't had an holiday away from home for the last 32 years; we don't drink alcohol; don't smoke or do drugs; what we do though is invest in our respective hobbies enjoying our life together in the comfort of our beautiful detached bungalow which we've fully updated to our liking; so the cost of a few 1mm size tungstens; collets and collet holders to me is worth it if I wish to experiment at a later date; it's highly likely I'll only ever weld aluminium up to 4mm thick so 1mm; 1.6mm and 2.4mm tungstens have me fully covered for little outlay. I enjoy owning my tools and equipment as much as I enjoy using them all.
I fully appreciate your advice and information Munkul as I do from other members; I'm a learner on a steep learning curve and I'll learn TIG welding eventually.
Kind regards, Colin.
Boys and their toys Munkul.
I've been looking at welding currents for sizes of tungstens and as I'm not strapped for cash the cost of a few tungstens won't trouble me and as I'm still a novice I'm interested in all aspects of TIG welding; everyone I've seen so far uses a flow meter for the gas so this looks like the way to go for me too; I don't have the experience to choose whether or not to use a flow meter; I'm still very much a novice regarding TIG welding but I certainly won't be blaming my kit.
If a 2.4mm tungsten can do the work of a 1mm tungsten then why make the different sizes of tungsten? I don't know hence I joined this forum and whilst I'm still gathering kit I'm doing research in order to expand my limited knowledge of TIG welding.
I have many hobbies including woodworking and furniture making; I have five routers having lots of router cutters some of these in boxed sets I might never use but if I do need them I have them; I've got expensive power tools that spend most of their life under the bench but when needed they are needed badly; Bron and I haven't had an holiday away from home for the last 32 years; we don't drink alcohol; don't smoke or do drugs; what we do though is invest in our respective hobbies enjoying our life together in the comfort of our beautiful detached bungalow which we've fully updated to our liking; so the cost of a few 1mm size tungstens; collets and collet holders to me is worth it if I wish to experiment at a later date; it's highly likely I'll only ever weld aluminium up to 4mm thick so 1mm; 1.6mm and 2.4mm tungstens have me fully covered for little outlay. I enjoy owning my tools and equipment as much as I enjoy using them all.
I fully appreciate your advice and information Munkul as I do from other members; I'm a learner on a steep learning curve and I'll learn TIG welding eventually.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
A big smile on my face this morning; Bron and I have just returned from The Wakefield Welding Center; once again Jim and everyone were brilliant. Have I at last broken through the problems; everything seems now set up for a bit of welding practice this coming weekend when I've a two day window with nothing yet outstanding to do; WHOOPEE.
Parweld didn't replace the faulty regulator after all due to it being out of warranty which I fully accept with good grace; Parweld have done well though in repairing the welder and having already had a bit of welding practice I'm now delighted with my Parweld TIG welder which I need to get used to so fingers crossed for happier times ahead which are long overdue.
Jim at TWWC is obtaining 1mm tungstens and collets etc for me; Jim asked what I would be using such thin items for because it's an unusual request; it's likely I'll not even use them unless I have time to relax and potter around in the workshop; I restored vintage radios for ten years as a hobby and these had very thin aluminium components to their chassis for screening etc also electrolytic capacitors in their very thin aluminium cans; as I gain TIG experience I'll experiment so having the kit to hand will be useful?
I'm now ready to make some positive progress so hope to be adding happier posts shortly; I've now coupled the flow meter and turned on the cylinder valve just to pressure up; the valve is turned off and I'll be watching to see how long it takes for the gauges to zero.
Kind regards, Colin.
A big smile on my face this morning; Bron and I have just returned from The Wakefield Welding Center; once again Jim and everyone were brilliant. Have I at last broken through the problems; everything seems now set up for a bit of welding practice this coming weekend when I've a two day window with nothing yet outstanding to do; WHOOPEE.
Parweld didn't replace the faulty regulator after all due to it being out of warranty which I fully accept with good grace; Parweld have done well though in repairing the welder and having already had a bit of welding practice I'm now delighted with my Parweld TIG welder which I need to get used to so fingers crossed for happier times ahead which are long overdue.
Jim at TWWC is obtaining 1mm tungstens and collets etc for me; Jim asked what I would be using such thin items for because it's an unusual request; it's likely I'll not even use them unless I have time to relax and potter around in the workshop; I restored vintage radios for ten years as a hobby and these had very thin aluminium components to their chassis for screening etc also electrolytic capacitors in their very thin aluminium cans; as I gain TIG experience I'll experiment so having the kit to hand will be useful?
I'm now ready to make some positive progress so hope to be adding happier posts shortly; I've now coupled the flow meter and turned on the cylinder valve just to pressure up; the valve is turned off and I'll be watching to see how long it takes for the gauges to zero.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
Thanks for asking Munkul.
Most of the tungstens I already have are through eBay and are 1.6mm & 2.4mm 1.5% Lanthanated although I have a few Cerium. I've only ever used the Lanthanated as kindly suggested by a friend and they seem fine. Jim at TWWC asked if I would be only welding aluminium and I've left it to his choice as to the 1mm tungstens I've ordered after all Jim has much greater knowledge than I. As I said earlier funds aren't a problem so I can buy a selection of tungstens to experiment with. I've just been watching a YouTube video showing a guy welding a pair of razor blades; this to me is just a very interesting hobby and I'm sure once I feel settled and have gathered everything which hopefully I now have I'll enjoy playing with the welder; I was making excellent progress until I wanted to upgrade to the 20L cylinder then it all came apart again; I'm once again back on track looking forward to a bit of TIG welding with a full 20L cylinder. I'll take a note of tungstens I have to hand and post the details.
I'm unable to get into the workshop before Saturday due to more pressing demands on my time; being retired sure keeps me fully occupied; these days of very short light are a nuisance but just before Christmas the daylight hours start to lengthen once again. It's only 3pm as I type and already the light is fading.
Kind regards, Colin.
Thanks for asking Munkul.
Most of the tungstens I already have are through eBay and are 1.6mm & 2.4mm 1.5% Lanthanated although I have a few Cerium. I've only ever used the Lanthanated as kindly suggested by a friend and they seem fine. Jim at TWWC asked if I would be only welding aluminium and I've left it to his choice as to the 1mm tungstens I've ordered after all Jim has much greater knowledge than I. As I said earlier funds aren't a problem so I can buy a selection of tungstens to experiment with. I've just been watching a YouTube video showing a guy welding a pair of razor blades; this to me is just a very interesting hobby and I'm sure once I feel settled and have gathered everything which hopefully I now have I'll enjoy playing with the welder; I was making excellent progress until I wanted to upgrade to the 20L cylinder then it all came apart again; I'm once again back on track looking forward to a bit of TIG welding with a full 20L cylinder. I'll take a note of tungstens I have to hand and post the details.
I'm unable to get into the workshop before Saturday due to more pressing demands on my time; being retired sure keeps me fully occupied; these days of very short light are a nuisance but just before Christmas the daylight hours start to lengthen once again. It's only 3pm as I type and already the light is fading.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
A quick update to say I'm practicing TIG welding again at last; I forgot to check my selection of tungstens so I'll try to remember next session. Since getting all the kit back together; at first it took a few days for the gauges to zero but suddenly they zeroed overnight? Sure enough a gas leak had popped up at the flow meter so the coupling got nipped up a bit more which has cured the leak; I've kindly been given a spray can of leak detection fluid and this found the leak without problem.
Yesterday I enjoyed a couple of hours and an hour this afternoon welding; slow progress but I'm gaining experience.
Kind regards, Colin.
A quick update to say I'm practicing TIG welding again at last; I forgot to check my selection of tungstens so I'll try to remember next session. Since getting all the kit back together; at first it took a few days for the gauges to zero but suddenly they zeroed overnight? Sure enough a gas leak had popped up at the flow meter so the coupling got nipped up a bit more which has cured the leak; I've kindly been given a spray can of leak detection fluid and this found the leak without problem.
Yesterday I enjoyed a couple of hours and an hour this afternoon welding; slow progress but I'm gaining experience.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
I've just been doing a job in the workshop and this time remembered to take a picture of my tungsten selection "Battery exhausted" on the camera but my pencil and paper didn't let me down.
1.0mm Zirconiated.
Super C 1.6mm Multi-type Gold tip.
1.6mm 1.5% Lanthanated.
Super 6 1.6mm Zirconiated White tip.
2.4mm 1.5% Lanthanated
All in packs of ten. The Lanthanated I bought through eBay the rest supplied as suitable for aluminium TIG welding by Wakefield Welding Centre.
I've been practicing welding 1.5mm thick aluminium using a 1.6mm Lanthanated tungsten and 2.4mm filler rod but found the filler rod didn't work as expected so I then used 1.6mm filler rod with better results; I keep running out of workshop time; I've just been doing some planing because our new front door was sticking at the threshold due to all the driven rain; there's always something to divert me from welding but I'll keep having a go whenever I can.
Kind regards, Colin.
I've just been doing a job in the workshop and this time remembered to take a picture of my tungsten selection "Battery exhausted" on the camera but my pencil and paper didn't let me down.
1.0mm Zirconiated.
Super C 1.6mm Multi-type Gold tip.
1.6mm 1.5% Lanthanated.
Super 6 1.6mm Zirconiated White tip.
2.4mm 1.5% Lanthanated
All in packs of ten. The Lanthanated I bought through eBay the rest supplied as suitable for aluminium TIG welding by Wakefield Welding Centre.
I've been practicing welding 1.5mm thick aluminium using a 1.6mm Lanthanated tungsten and 2.4mm filler rod but found the filler rod didn't work as expected so I then used 1.6mm filler rod with better results; I keep running out of workshop time; I've just been doing some planing because our new front door was sticking at the threshold due to all the driven rain; there's always something to divert me from welding but I'll keep having a go whenever I can.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hi,
Happiness at last, two sessions practice welding in the workshop today just getting the feel of things. This morning I ran lots of practice beads on 1.5mm thick aluminium using one of the 1mm tungstens and it went pretty well. This afternoon I thought I'd have a go at pulse welding so installed a 1.6mm tungsten and set the pulse at 1hz. I started with a peak of 150A but as the job heated up I knocked off at 122A. Anyone looking at the privacy safety glass in the workshop doors would think I was playing with a strobe. I'm finding pulse welding very interesting indeed and it heats the metal up a lot less giving me more control. I'm definitely improving; not much puddle dipping and only one hole appeared which I filled in.
More practice tomorrow all being well.
Kind regards, Colin.
Camera battery now charged so a picture of my tungstens.
Practice runs without pulse; mixed results but not much soot and no holes. 1.5mm thick aluminium.
A corner joint in 3mm thick aluminium on pulse; the top end looked a bit rough so I went over again adding more filler rod.
Not pretty but pretty good practice. I'm even getting a few dimes.
I'm at last starting to get the hang of it; lots more practice needed but I'm now enjoying myself with all the last 15 weeks of hassle behind me. I'm also now trying to feed the filler rod between my fingers; this too needs lots of practice because my first attempts either ended up with sticking or waving around too much touching the tungsten but I'm gaining confidence.
Happiness at last, two sessions practice welding in the workshop today just getting the feel of things. This morning I ran lots of practice beads on 1.5mm thick aluminium using one of the 1mm tungstens and it went pretty well. This afternoon I thought I'd have a go at pulse welding so installed a 1.6mm tungsten and set the pulse at 1hz. I started with a peak of 150A but as the job heated up I knocked off at 122A. Anyone looking at the privacy safety glass in the workshop doors would think I was playing with a strobe. I'm finding pulse welding very interesting indeed and it heats the metal up a lot less giving me more control. I'm definitely improving; not much puddle dipping and only one hole appeared which I filled in.
More practice tomorrow all being well.
Kind regards, Colin.
Camera battery now charged so a picture of my tungstens.
Practice runs without pulse; mixed results but not much soot and no holes. 1.5mm thick aluminium.
A corner joint in 3mm thick aluminium on pulse; the top end looked a bit rough so I went over again adding more filler rod.
Not pretty but pretty good practice. I'm even getting a few dimes.
I'm at last starting to get the hang of it; lots more practice needed but I'm now enjoying myself with all the last 15 weeks of hassle behind me. I'm also now trying to feed the filler rod between my fingers; this too needs lots of practice because my first attempts either ended up with sticking or waving around too much touching the tungsten but I'm gaining confidence.
Hi,
At 3C its hardly warm but in spite of this I wanted to do more TIG practice so I wandered down to the workshop and switched everything on; with the fan heater running I was soon feeling comfortable.
This session has been the best yet and highly successful as practice goes. I'm now pretty confident on corner joints and have made progress on lap joints; I was really struggling with lap joints but it's suddenly starting to fall into place; I'm pulse welding; no pedal and started off at 122A with 30% balance which seemed to be a nice spot. I still need to get the hang of feeding filler rod through my fingers but it is getting a bit easier; I find if I concentrate on compensating for rod shortening then I lose the plot on the tungsten and either dip or extend the arc; I'm nowhere near as bad as I was but it's a juggling act and being a guy I find it difficult to multi task. I'm now delighted with the welder; my new expensive Optrel Crystal 2.0 welding helmet is a bit of a pain; I adjust it so that I can flip the visor up but after a few flips it starts to lower or drop on its own; it could be my fault in not being used to it but at times I hear a click as I lift the visor right up so assume it should lock but it isn't doing so? Great helmet otherwise and well worth the money at least I can clearly see what I'm welding; I like to lift the visor as I move around the workshop otherwise its a bit like tunnel vision. All this is new to me so please bear with me.
I've enjoyed this morning.
Kind regards, Colin.
WOW a clear bead of weld on a corner joint; pulse 122A on 3mm thick aluminium; no puddle dipping; holes or soot; its taken a long time to reach this stage but has been worth it.
Bottom to top I was doing OK with this 3mm thick aluminium lap joint until the filler rod stuck and as it broke free I jerked the torch but again lots of progress and no puddle dipping etc; I resharpened the tungsten and finished the joint; I'm now well on my way with lap joints; more practice still needed but I feel I'm getting there.
Just doodling with the torch on a bit of 1.5mm thick aluminium adding 2.5mm filler rod; still on pulse but at much reduced amps which I should have reduced even further. Pulse welding is helping me a great deal; I can revert to standard welding once I gain a lot more experience.
Thanks again guys for all your help and patience both haven't been wasted on me and I'm most appreciative.
Kind regards, Colin.
At 3C its hardly warm but in spite of this I wanted to do more TIG practice so I wandered down to the workshop and switched everything on; with the fan heater running I was soon feeling comfortable.
This session has been the best yet and highly successful as practice goes. I'm now pretty confident on corner joints and have made progress on lap joints; I was really struggling with lap joints but it's suddenly starting to fall into place; I'm pulse welding; no pedal and started off at 122A with 30% balance which seemed to be a nice spot. I still need to get the hang of feeding filler rod through my fingers but it is getting a bit easier; I find if I concentrate on compensating for rod shortening then I lose the plot on the tungsten and either dip or extend the arc; I'm nowhere near as bad as I was but it's a juggling act and being a guy I find it difficult to multi task. I'm now delighted with the welder; my new expensive Optrel Crystal 2.0 welding helmet is a bit of a pain; I adjust it so that I can flip the visor up but after a few flips it starts to lower or drop on its own; it could be my fault in not being used to it but at times I hear a click as I lift the visor right up so assume it should lock but it isn't doing so? Great helmet otherwise and well worth the money at least I can clearly see what I'm welding; I like to lift the visor as I move around the workshop otherwise its a bit like tunnel vision. All this is new to me so please bear with me.
I've enjoyed this morning.
Kind regards, Colin.
WOW a clear bead of weld on a corner joint; pulse 122A on 3mm thick aluminium; no puddle dipping; holes or soot; its taken a long time to reach this stage but has been worth it.
Bottom to top I was doing OK with this 3mm thick aluminium lap joint until the filler rod stuck and as it broke free I jerked the torch but again lots of progress and no puddle dipping etc; I resharpened the tungsten and finished the joint; I'm now well on my way with lap joints; more practice still needed but I feel I'm getting there.
Just doodling with the torch on a bit of 1.5mm thick aluminium adding 2.5mm filler rod; still on pulse but at much reduced amps which I should have reduced even further. Pulse welding is helping me a great deal; I can revert to standard welding once I gain a lot more experience.
Thanks again guys for all your help and patience both haven't been wasted on me and I'm most appreciative.
Kind regards, Colin.
Hood
I am obsessed.
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Coming along nicely Colin, practice is all that is needed now, the more you can do the easier things become.
Pulse on AC is not something I like or use but everyone is different and if you can get on with it then that is all that matters.
Regarding the Crystal, I have not had that problem with mine but I did suffer with the E684 slackening off after a few raise/lowers. I dismantled the headband from the shell and then reassembled it and it was fine after that, I think maybe it had just not been put in properly.
Pulse on AC is not something I like or use but everyone is different and if you can get on with it then that is all that matters.
Regarding the Crystal, I have not had that problem with mine but I did suffer with the E684 slackening off after a few raise/lowers. I dismantled the headband from the shell and then reassembled it and it was fine after that, I think maybe it had just not been put in properly.
Hi,
Many thanks Hood for your helmet tip; I'll try it. Is the visor supposed to click when fully open to hold it up rather than rely on friction of the adjusters?
I find as a novice pulse suits me better because it greatly reduces heat build up as the bead progresses; I've also been experimenting with 2T & 4T playing with the torch buttons but it all comes down to putting the practice in. Pulse set at 1hz I find very useful in that I've got time to dab the filler rod between pulses and if I hold the torch more upright it focuses the heat downwards rather than forwards; having the torch pointing forward too much I notice it melts the end of the filler rod before the rod touches the puddle making it extremely difficult to control; once I make the start with pulse though I can simply keep stepping over the rod with the arc giving the "dime" pattern; its more akin to stitching. I feel a bit miffed that I should be a lot more advanced by now; it's not from lack of interest on my part but I've lost months due to so many problems getting in the way; I intended to have another session in the workshop this afternoon but former neighbours dropped in with Christmas prezzies and best wishes which was a pleasant surprise; now everything is working as it should I can pick up the pace a bit; in a way I'll be sad when I can weld proficiently because I do like learning curves and leaving my comfort zone; TIG welding though has given me the run around big style but I'm too thick to know when to quit so I always stick with something new whatever is thrown at me. On the final run up to Christmas we'll go out less because we don't like crowds in fact I'll be glad to see the back of Christmas and all its falseness looking forward to springtime.
Kind regards, Colin.
Many thanks Hood for your helmet tip; I'll try it.
Is the visor supposed to click when fully open to hold it up rather than rely on friction of the adjusters? I find as a novice pulse suits me better because it greatly reduces heat build up as the bead progresses; I've also been experimenting with 2T & 4T playing with the torch buttons but it all comes down to putting the practice in. Pulse set at 1hz I find very useful in that I've got time to dab the filler rod between pulses and if I hold the torch more upright it focuses the heat downwards rather than forwards; having the torch pointing forward too much I notice it melts the end of the filler rod before the rod touches the puddle making it extremely difficult to control; once I make the start with pulse though I can simply keep stepping over the rod with the arc giving the "dime" pattern; its more akin to stitching. I feel a bit miffed that I should be a lot more advanced by now; it's not from lack of interest on my part but I've lost months due to so many problems getting in the way; I intended to have another session in the workshop this afternoon but former neighbours dropped in with Christmas prezzies and best wishes which was a pleasant surprise; now everything is working as it should I can pick up the pace a bit; in a way I'll be sad when I can weld proficiently because I do like learning curves and leaving my comfort zone; TIG welding though has given me the run around big style but I'm too thick to know when to quit so I always stick with something new whatever is thrown at me. On the final run up to Christmas we'll go out less because we don't like crowds in fact I'll be glad to see the back of Christmas and all its falseness looking forward to springtime.
Kind regards, Colin.
