C
Chris Stevens
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Lol...............weird how people get the idea that a 1.6mm tungsten can be used at 180A, given the fact its going to be close to melting at those amps.........................
- Thread starter Ali
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Lol...............weird how people get the idea that a 1.6mm tungsten can be used at 180A, given the fact its going to be close to melting at those amps.........................
Richard.
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I personally would not be using one at those current levels but you'd be surprised at just how much a 1.6 can take on DC. 150,160 is within its range especially ones with decent re striking abilities. They will dull off quicker at 180 amps DC but they won't melt.
AC on the other hand will destroy it very quickly any where near those currents.
C
Chris Stevens
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I do hardly any DC welding, and it surprises me that a 1.6mm can be used that high current. Will try it next time I do DC.
Ali
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OK, I've been thinking it over, reading up on here and generally deliberating. I'm off shopping tomorrow for the x 2 things which I think would really improve my TIG welding - a better mask and a WP9 torch. (Don't tell my wife.) Someone has given me some engine mounts for a kit car to weld up, and getting them done right is a good excuse to invest in the gear (will be opening up another thread for advice on these). Thanks for all the input folks! 
henry Kadzielski
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Good morning gents
I have not done any sustained tig at 180 amps DC on 1.6mm, but to do a short fusion weld no problem. I have done longer runs at 160 without drama, the torch does get hot though. However mostly at 130ish DC using a pedal, as your finger does get tired holding the button in, without drama. As far as I can tell I use the red tip electrodes which seem to have better tip retention and longevity as opposed to the grey tips. I don't exactly know the brand or the manufacture of the electrodes but that may make some difference, but overall can't see what the problem is.
I have not done any sustained tig at 180 amps DC on 1.6mm, but to do a short fusion weld no problem. I have done longer runs at 160 without drama, the torch does get hot though. However mostly at 130ish DC using a pedal, as your finger does get tired holding the button in, without drama. As far as I can tell I use the red tip electrodes which seem to have better tip retention and longevity as opposed to the grey tips. I don't exactly know the brand or the manufacture of the electrodes but that may make some difference, but overall can't see what the problem is.
Richard.
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Thoriated (red) are a better DC tungsten than ciriated (grey) imo but you'd find swapping up to a 2.4 at lower current than what you are doing will maintain the point for longer. You are giving those little tungstens a hard time. Even at 160 amps.
You will have fewer trips to the wheel if you change up at lower currents.
You will have fewer trips to the wheel if you change up at lower currents.
henry Kadzielski
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Good morning Richard
I thought that I was missing something regarding the electrodes, thought they were all the same (for DC that is) the red and the grey.
The introduction of the grey was for the fact that the Thoriated (red ones) produce some low level radiation when ground, so therefor in the edducational system, occupational health and safety point of view they have been banned here. What you use out on site is up to you. And yes I do aggree that the red ones are better. I did my ticket (pressure pipe all positions) with the grey and using the gas lens, in the end turned out OK. At the 130 amps that the steel was welded on the only problem I had with the tips was me getting wabbly and dipping the tip into the pool, or touching the filler rod to the tip. Otherwise the 1.6mm seemed to be OK. I was the only one using the 1.6mm electrodes, as everyone else was using the 2.4mm. A couple of guys tried using the 1.6mm and found that the pool was easier to control, however the tip was more sencetive to tipups. Each to their own. The welding inspector told me (what works for you) so I have continued this way. I do not protest that this is the only way, however it is what works for me. My little portable Essetti tig HF 200 amps works great and has been with me for many years and unless it gives up will stay with me till it does. I have at this stage not needed anything larger (I have an esetti Ac hf 250 amp three phase machine) but have never used it on DC. The smaller portable unit is my favorite.
I thought that I was missing something regarding the electrodes, thought they were all the same (for DC that is) the red and the grey.
The introduction of the grey was for the fact that the Thoriated (red ones) produce some low level radiation when ground, so therefor in the edducational system, occupational health and safety point of view they have been banned here. What you use out on site is up to you. And yes I do aggree that the red ones are better. I did my ticket (pressure pipe all positions) with the grey and using the gas lens, in the end turned out OK. At the 130 amps that the steel was welded on the only problem I had with the tips was me getting wabbly and dipping the tip into the pool, or touching the filler rod to the tip. Otherwise the 1.6mm seemed to be OK. I was the only one using the 1.6mm electrodes, as everyone else was using the 2.4mm. A couple of guys tried using the 1.6mm and found that the pool was easier to control, however the tip was more sencetive to tipups. Each to their own. The welding inspector told me (what works for you) so I have continued this way. I do not protest that this is the only way, however it is what works for me. My little portable Essetti tig HF 200 amps works great and has been with me for many years and unless it gives up will stay with me till it does. I have at this stage not needed anything larger (I have an esetti Ac hf 250 amp three phase machine) but have never used it on DC. The smaller portable unit is my favorite.
henry Kadzielski
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No problem Ali
What you must keep in mind is that we all weld differently, even though that the end result is all good. What works for one dose not work for all. The best way is to practice and practice. When you are finished practicing then get some more practice. Any good welder will evaluate what they have done and look how to improve the weld. I always like to think that someone is always looking at what I have done and remember it is there in the future that someone will still see it. I look at welds on jobs and evaluate the weld and even the entire structure. If there is some exceptional welding I will notice and then see what I can do to do likewise.
What you must keep in mind is that we all weld differently, even though that the end result is all good. What works for one dose not work for all. The best way is to practice and practice. When you are finished practicing then get some more practice. Any good welder will evaluate what they have done and look how to improve the weld. I always like to think that someone is always looking at what I have done and remember it is there in the future that someone will still see it. I look at welds on jobs and evaluate the weld and even the entire structure. If there is some exceptional welding I will notice and then see what I can do to do likewise.
Richard.
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I agree with the welding inspector. Do it how it works for you.Good morning Richard
I thought that I was missing something regarding the electrodes, thought they were all the same (for DC that is) the red and the grey.
The introduction of the grey was for the fact that the Thoriated (red ones) produce some low level radiation when ground, so therefor in the edducational system, occupational health and safety point of view they have been banned here. What you use out on site is up to you. And yes I do aggree that the red ones are better. I did my ticket (pressure pipe all positions) with the grey and using the gas lens, in the end turned out OK. At the 130 amps that the steel was welded on the only problem I had with the tips was me getting wabbly and dipping the tip into the pool, or touching the filler rod to the tip. Otherwise the 1.6mm seemed to be OK. I was the only one using the 1.6mm electrodes, as everyone else was using the 2.4mm. A couple of guys tried using the 1.6mm and found that the pool was easier to control, however the tip was more sencetive to tipups. Each to their own. The welding inspector told me (what works for you) so I have continued this way. I do not protest that this is the only way, however it is what works for me. My little portable Essetti tig HF 200 amps works great and has been with me for many years and unless it gives up will stay with me till it does. I have at this stage not needed anything larger (I have an esetti Ac hf 250 amp three phase machine) but have never used it on DC. The smaller portable unit is my favorite.
langy
langys rodshop
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Good morning Richard
I thought that I was missing something regarding the electrodes, thought they were all the same (for DC that is) the red and the grey.
The introduction of the grey was for the fact that the Thoriated (red ones) produce some low level radiation when ground, so therefor in the edducational system, occupational health and safety point of view they have been banned here. What you use out on site is up to you. And yes I do aggree that the red ones are better. I did my ticket (pressure pipe all positions) with the grey and using the gas lens, in the end turned out OK. At the 130 amps that the steel was welded on the only problem I had with the tips was me getting wabbly and dipping the tip into the pool, or touching the filler rod to the tip. Otherwise the 1.6mm seemed to be OK. I was the only one using the 1.6mm electrodes, as everyone else was using the 2.4mm. A couple of guys tried using the 1.6mm and found that the pool was easier to control, however the tip was more sencetive to tipups. Each to their own. The welding inspector told me (what works for you) so I have continued this way. I do not protest that this is the only way, however it is what works for me. My little portable Essetti tig HF 200 amps works great and has been with me for many years and unless it gives up will stay with me till it does. I have at this stage not needed anything larger (I have an esetti Ac hf 250 amp three phase machine) but have never used it on DC. The smaller portable unit is my favorite.
Easy answer is blue lanthanated
C
Chris Stevens
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I use blue lanthanated for everything now.........seem very good indeed.
henry Kadzielski
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Good morning gentelmen
As promised some photos of my setup and finished weld. All welds were done with grey tip 1.6mm @ 130amps. You can see tip dulled due to twice dipping into the pool. No great problem, stick out is about 10mm to 12mm and weld is fillet. Material is 316 S/S, pipe 6" NB shed 40, plate is 6mm 316.
As promised some photos of my setup and finished weld. All welds were done with grey tip 1.6mm @ 130amps. You can see tip dulled due to twice dipping into the pool. No great problem, stick out is about 10mm to 12mm and weld is fillet. Material is 316 S/S, pipe 6" NB shed 40, plate is 6mm 316.
henry Kadzielski
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Oh by the way thankyou for informing me how to upload photos. Photos tell a thousand words.
henry Kadzielski
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Thankyou Richard
I have been practicing
I have been practicing
henry Kadzielski
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Yes it is for a specific job. It is for the slew winch for a boom on a fishing trawler. I do quite a bit of marine fabrication and repairs. Yes it will be chemically passivated with the 'Tig Brush' that I have. I still need to construct the base and the mount for the hydraulic motor. I will passivate the drums tomorrow and will post some photos. Once the job is completed will also post pics
henry Kadzielski
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