Brown dusty substance

[George641]

just wondering what why how when
i get a brown dusty substance that brushes off on *some* of my welds and not others? using clarke160t argosheild ... can anyone shed some light.

the pic shows some of it? isit a sign of me doing something wrong or a bad weld even tho they all look neat and are very strong
thanks

 

[Welderpaul]

Brown dusty substance is usually a sign of not enough shielding gas. Check you are not getting draughts that are blowing away your shielding gas flow.
Following that, check your regulator - if it's the small-bottle type - they are usually the cause of most problems relating to the flow of gas. - There are quite a few posts on here about gas flow/shielding gas that will be helpful
What are you making anyway?

 

[George641]

ahh i must be right on the limit "bein pikey " haha ill turn the reg another notch get a bit more ... as for draughts there wasnt any. it must different torch positions giving enough gas and others not ... the welds wernt pourus tho ? as i say i must have bin on bordering limit
what isit ?... adjustable banger H frame, a roll cage as such
thanks

 

[Welderpaul]

I like it - on the pikey limit! Aye, give it a go with the gas turned up a notch. Let us know if it makes any difference.

 

[George641]

will do, but lets be honest we like 2 make gas trips alot less often if possible lol got another cage to make tomorow and finish ^^^ that one so i will see wat i can get away with, now thinking of it i remember turnin the reg at one point before i started as for a bit more gas but wasnt looking when i done it ... was probaly talking with the radio far 2 loud ... u no the deal lol found a new steel stockholder by me that is alot cheaper than my old place how does it compare to your metal supplies 60x60x4mm 7.5m 50x50x3mm 7.5m 12"x12" plates 3mm thick x4 £85 broken down its 36.46 27.66 and 8.76 respectively +VAT

 

[Welderpaul]

Fairly good prices those George - we get it a bit cheaper, but then again, we buy tons of it a week!

 

[George641]

well i tryed more gas, it made no difference. the welds are nowhere near lackin gas theres no pourosity at all ?
theres a pic of some of the welds they seem sensible enough for me just the occasional dusty brown stuff is annoying me ? still as i sed no draught either. ???

 

[Drains]

Nothing wrong there. More likely to be a reaction with the coating on the steel. Don't worry about it.

 

[shenion]

I agree with Si, looks like something with the metal. Too little gas usually puts red dust well out from the weld.

Check your shroud, may be plugged a bit causing uneven gas coverage.

Real nice looking welds

 

[George641]

plugged a bit ? i no its no longer a circle .... js tappin it get the mess out of the tip wen its obv still hot has de shaped it but still resembles a shape with no corners haha
feeling depressed as i havent had my welding dosage today

 

[shenion]

Sounds like you are getting some swirling in the gas.

Shrouds are cheap

 

[FireStorm]

thanks to george for helping me with some welding lessons!!!!

i made his battery tray for it, pics to follow of my brillant welding skills