have a butchers at my first proper Tig welds

[zardoz]

Having finished my level 2 MIG C&G course at evening classes, I am now left with 5 evenings one a week to do whatever i like. So i opted to have a bash at the TIG. The machine is a pro level Murex. The top run is a bit wobbly but the second is better.The bottom pic is next. The back is shown to judge weld penetration. I believe it looks like i was too hot in places, (the big hot spot on far right was caused by lack of gas) but im here to ask opinion not give it. So any experts on the fine art of the TIG, please let me know how i got on. As you can see the metal is steel, i do aim to give Ally a try soon, and mucho looking forward to it.

PS: the machine was a Murex Transtig 205 AC/DC

 

[matt1978]

For your first attempts thats pretty good mate, as you say, the blistering on the back is from excessive heat input, which I would say is due to too slow travel speed rather than too high amps judging by the appearance of the bead.

 

[zardoz]

I must admit here to having a passing acquaintance with Oxy -Ace, which is not too different to TIG. Both have the rod and flame in and out action. I was wearing Gauntlets with the top weld, and no gloves with the bottom weld. So i will be getting some thin TIG gloves next week.

 

[runnach]

Yep good effort Zardoz, as Matt stated, more speed of travel required, I would also suggest up the amps a tad, looks a bit cold mate. Some of the intermittent pene at a guess, I would say come from when you are running close to your hand feeding the wire in to weld pool? If you have a foot pedal,use it till you gain more experience, if not, if the plant has a slope in, slope out, use this to your benefit too. Set slope down to around 10>15 secs, while sloping down, feed more wire through to a manageable length in feeding hand, then slope back up (set to low time value for up) before the arc ceases and, continue with the run. Obviously as you progress along the test piece, SOT has to increase, using either pedal or slope facility at end or run to slope down will greatly decrease craters.

Always wear gloves, I suffered for a long time doing critical work and, no glove on wire feed hand, too scared I'd dip on inspection!

Cheers...........

 

[zardoz]

The machine didnt have a pedal but there was one under the bench, so ill ask if it can be fitted. I had the slope at about 8 seconds, so i will up it more next time. Thanks for the tip about sloping down then feeding wire through the hand.

 

[matt1978]

You should practice feeding the wire thru your fingers, with your Thumb, Index and middle fingers. That way you can weld with really long pieces of wire without stopping.

If you hold the wire just in your Thumb and Index finger you'll only be able to weld with the amount of wire sticking past these fingers and when it gets close to your fingers, you have to stop and feed more wire and then weld again........not good.

 

[dutchman]

Nice job there Zardoz!

It took me a while to get to the level you are at and my first attempts looked... well... :full.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to practice much lately.