filler wire sticky

[squazy84]

when i tig weld stainless steel,like .8 sheet and add filler metal (1.6 stainless) the filler rod gets kind of sticky and i find i hard to manipulate,any ideas?

 

[Paul.]

Use a smaller filler rod, a 1mm will melt easier without sticking to the pool, you can also use .8 stainless mig wire for delicate jobs,

 

[squazy84]

ill try get some,lucky i was just about to order some thicker rods

 

[squazy84]

where i went wrong with filler

 

[Shox Dr]

It's sticking because the rod it is taking too much heat out of the weld pool as you dip. Either increase amps and speed or as Paul says use smaller rod.

That's one hell of a heat sink there. If you tack up nice and tight, with a sharp tungsten and 25-30amps you can do those joints with out rod, esp with that heat sink.

 

[squazy84]

It's sticking because the rod it is taking too much heat out of the weld pool as you dip. Either increase amps and speed or as Paul says use smaller rod.

That's one hell of a heat sink there. If you tack up nice and tight, with a sharp tungsten and 25-30amps you can do those joints with out rod, esp with that heat sink.

most of the joints are done without filler,they come out nice, i mess it up when i have to add filler due to a slight fit up gap,why have i not found this problem with mild steel?

 

[hotrodder]

Same thing will happen with carbon steel but as more amps are needed for a given thickness it's less sensitive to it than stainless

Aluminium/magnesium aside general rule of thumb would be to use wire that's thinner the base material. I don't own any stainless wire thicker than 1.6mm and conversly don't bother with ally wire thinner than 1.6mm

 

[langy]

x 2 on the thinner wire, 1mm and a 1mm tungsten will make the job easier

 

[squazy84]

ill try and get some 1mm rods so,ive got some weld on fillings for the above tank.they are also stainless and quite beefy as they are -10 an,should i use filler wire for welding them on or autogenous,its just low pressure stuff