I was doing a bit of TIG today, probably about the 3rd time I've used TIG.....
I have access to a fully kitted out pro tig machine with HF start, etc. and Pro TIG guys for help.
So I'm welding away, on mild steel to what I thought was stainless, all is ok, and then the arc starts dancing around like mad, sparks flying everywhere, and I manage to somehow get the filler on the Tungsten electrode, oh dear!
I stopped welding for a gander at what just happened, and noticed that there was a load of porosity on the weld... Checked gas - ok, metal is clean etc... I try again, this time, welds ok, but a few sparks flying.. Checked the weld, centreline crack - oh dear!
Called the Pro's in, and they started laughing "ZINC"...Turns out I was trying to weld Zinc plated steel -( Looked like Stainless to me
)
So here's my tip, make sure you know what your welding, and grind off zinc plating!
Cheers,
Mark
I have access to a fully kitted out pro tig machine with HF start, etc. and Pro TIG guys for help.
So I'm welding away, on mild steel to what I thought was stainless, all is ok, and then the arc starts dancing around like mad, sparks flying everywhere, and I manage to somehow get the filler on the Tungsten electrode, oh dear!
I stopped welding for a gander at what just happened, and noticed that there was a load of porosity on the weld... Checked gas - ok, metal is clean etc... I try again, this time, welds ok, but a few sparks flying.. Checked the weld, centreline crack - oh dear!
Called the Pro's in, and they started laughing "ZINC"...Turns out I was trying to weld Zinc plated steel -( Looked like Stainless to me
)So here's my tip, make sure you know what your welding, and grind off zinc plating!
Cheers,
Mark
