First attempt with stainless

[James325]

I've never tried to Tig stainless steel before. I'd be interested if anyone can give me any help/advice.

It seemed to sink rather alot, I wasn't using much power either. On a foot pedal with the max set at 70amps but no where near that.

The steel was about 1mm thick, and I used 316(?) 1mm rods..

and the inside!

 

[madkayaker]

to much heat there try less amps and more filler

 

[James325]

Ok, do you think I need a thicker filler rod? only got 1mm rods.
Thanks

 

[madkayaker]

not sure really you can always add in more rod its the bit i struggle with

 

[James325]

Tell me about it! I can't feed it properly at all. Basically given up with that, just have to stop and re-grip!

 

[madkayaker]

practice! when you have lost TV remote privileges is a good time

 

[wyn]

If you use less amps the 1mm rod could be about right. A bigger rod would need more amps just to melt it and the weld might be a bit sort of stop start as you try to get the rod to melt into the weld pool.

 

[James325]

My heavy foot, I'll have another go tomorrow evening.
Thanks for your help

 

[ngt]

Guessing that the pipe thickness is 1.5mm.
~40amps is adequate
1mm filler is the ideal for 1.5mm. Make sure you are not dipping too much filler.

 

[James325]

Ok, Had another go. What do you think?
I take it that the underside is so horrible due to no shield gas?

 

[hotrodder]

I take it that the underside is so horrible due to no shield gas?

Yep, you're pretty much wasting your time unless you either set up a purge* to protect the back of the weld or switch to thicker material (2 or 3mm as suggested in the TIG tutorial) which'll allow you to practice partial pen welds more easily i.e. won't have all the oxidised crap getting pulled through from the back into the weldpool

Have a read through the TIG tutorial and then practice with less heat and a shorter arc length

* There are fluxes available like 'Solar flux B' which'll protect the back of the weld joint but not something i'd rush out and buy, at least for now