First attempt at Tig Ally

[Richard.]

Busy all week and only today managed to get the Tig fired up for a practise.
Wonderful how quick i have managed to revert back to my first attempt

Only things changed since last Sunday are Filler & Gas.

Ok yes you have a contaminantion issue going on. As we know everything from your machine down to the torch works fine from using them here I would check your gas line connector in the welder and every other joint back up to the bottle for leaks.
You need some leak detection fluid as touch and hearing senses are not good enough to pick them up.
Give your filler a good wipe with a rad dampened with cleaning solution (acetone brake cleaner etc). If all that fails it may be a case of some Micky mouse argon.

 

[Richard.]

Oh. Looking past the contamination issues those runs are a hundred times better than your first attempts. You have some nice lap joints going on there.
Just watch out for cutting the top plate edge away.
Arc on the bottom and fill in the top. The process takes care of the rest.

 

[Richard.]

What filler grades have you got snoozer in what sizes.

 

[snoozer]

Sif 4043
1.6
2.4
3.2
I was using 2.4 Richard.
Got my doubts about the Gas to be honest.
Going to try a source a disposable Bottle to test.

 

[Richard.]

I thought it was 4043
Some batches/brands are very grainy finishing. You might not have a contamination issue.
Be worth trying some 5*** to confirm.

 

[snoozer]

Got all excited with my new wedge of 5356 Esab Fillers.
Now it appears i have another issue this time with my Regulator so still haven't tried the new rods as i suspect this problem will hamper my progress.
Anyone have any suggestions before R-Tech get a call ?

 

[Richard.]

Anyone have any suggestions before R-Tech get a call ?

It’s knackered.
I wouldn’t bother calling rtech those regs are thrown in for free with every welder they sell. I’d remove your flow meter and sling it in the bin. Buy a Harris or a gasarc, victor, Esab, boc etc and get something of decent quality.

 

[snoozer]

It’s knackered.
I wouldn’t bother calling rtech those regs are thrown in for free with every welder they sell. I’d remove your flow meter and sling it in the bin. Buy a Harris or a gasarc, victor, Esab, boc etc and get something of decent quality.

Ok Richard, Will get me a decent example.

 

[Richard.]

Ok Richard, Will get me a decent example.

I would mate. Should be about £40 for something worth having. Those rtech ones are about £1.99 worth at best. Your flow meter would of cost more money.
It’s all very well them chucking one in the deal but a regulator has a very important job to do and is vastly under estimated exactly what it does.
You’ve got any where between 0-300bar behind that lump of brass. And it’s reducing that right down to your weedy little flow rate of 6 lpm. That flow rate and the way it’s delivered is so important to the quality of welding you produce. It’s a piece of equipment I’d always spend decent money on because the benefits really do become apparent

 

[snoozer]

Something like this one maybe ?
Like the longer Bottle connection to get the reg past the handle.
Wonder how long before they have some stock.

https://www.weldequip.com/fabmaster-multi-stage-regulators.htm?cat2=24

 

[Richard.]

Something like this one maybe ?
Like the longer Bottle connection to get the reg past the handle.
Wonder how long before they have some stock.

https://www.weldequip.com/fabmaster-multi-stage-regulators.htm?cat2=24

Those are multi stage regs. Yeah if your pockets are deep enough I’d always go multi stage due to the initial start up surges been non existent and saving you gas. If it’s a little on the pricey side for you then the equivalent quality in a single stage will also do you fine. Hi lo regs are not bad things.

 

[Jlg]

Something like this one maybe ?
Like the longer Bottle connection to get the reg past the handle.
Wonder how long before they have some stock.

https://www.weldequip.com/fabmaster-multi-stage-regulators.htm?cat2=24

Have a look at the esab edge single stage or multi stage there both great

 

[snoozer]

Sorted now thanks Guys

Big Thank you to the chap i spoke to at Weldequip today, Excellent customer service

 

[Jlg]

Sorted now thanks Guys

Big Thank you to the chap i spoke to at Weldequip today, Excellent customer service

What you gone for

 

[snoozer]

Nice little 2 stage

 

[Richard.]

Nice little 2 stage

You’ll benefit from that.

 

[snoozer]

Might get a chance to finally test the CK consumables you suggested i purchase, They should arrive Wednesday

 

[Hopefuldave]

Nice little 2 stage

Nice one?
Not too expensive?
(Ni)

If so, from where? Haven't checked the BOC one I dug up works yet...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[Richard.]

Nice one?
Not too expensive?
(Ni)

If so, from where? Haven't checked the BOC one I dug up works yet...

Dave H. (the other one)

If In doubt Dave sling it mate. If it’s old or looking a bit past it don’t take any chances loading it up with the full force of your cylinder content.
Check the date on it and the first time you crack the tap on the cylinder just stand to one side. Very unlikely indeed it’s gonna hit you in the face but good practice n all.

 

[Hopefuldave]

Thanks for the cautionary advice, I'll crack it open just a fraction from the other side of a wall, I can knock up a cylinder-valve socket and put a 3/8 bar through a tiny hole.... ear defenders on might be a good idea too !

Dave H. (the other one)