Low temperature TIG filler

[Hitch]

I had a similar situation last year, that was for a dafodil also.
I used 0.8mm mig wire, snipped them off when they had a nice ball on the end.

I used asraldite Bent teh ends over slightly, made a puddle of araldite, and put the wires in.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I used asraldite Bent teh ends over slightly, made a puddle of araldite, and put the wires in.

Oh Hitch, surely you should be ashamed, admitting to that.

I do have to admit, though, I have wondered about the ethics of getting a helping hand from 'non-metal' ingredients in my sculpture - it could come to that yet!

 

[Paul.]

BTW - I've been using a 1mm tungsten up to now for this light work - I'll ditch that and try the 1.6 back in.

1mm should be fine, just lower the amps a bit, I only said 1.6 because its generally the smallest I use, I often find when helping people with these delicate jobs they are struggling with 2.4s, not the case here though.

When forming the ball, point the electrode straight at the end of the rod using a very low torch angle, so as it melts you push the ball up the rod.

 

[hotrodder]

I had a little play before packing up for the day, maybe another technique to try out along with the other suggestions. 1.6 wire, 1.5mm sheet as it was closest i had to hand in the way of offcuts.
Started at 45A and the wire had a tendancy to 'neck' down a little too much as you found, got better results as i increased the amperage (along with a shorter burst) and started to get worse again as i increased above 60A

I got the best results by actively pushing the wire into the plate while giving it a quick burst, this was at 80A...


Probably be better off starting with the amperage a bit lower and working up as you're working with slightly thinner sheet, it all happens quickly and if pushing too hard or you dither you end up feeding a bunch of wire through the sheet

 

[GrahamGKD]

Really appreciate all of the helpful suggestions folks - my bench is already littered with little bits of wire stuck to bits of plate but i can't wait to get out there and have another go - little things eh!

 

[GrahamGKD]

I think I'm getting the hang of it now - the balling of the ends is going quite well with Paul's tip to use the copper plate and the necking is improved with Hotrodder's tip to push the wire in.

Ignore the one on the bottom - that was an earlier attempt.

Of the others; two are 1.6 TIG wire and the other is a bike spoke.

I suspect I may still be holding the arc for too long - looking at the way the pool has elongated?

Thanks for all of the suggestions - I'll keep practicing!

 

[hotrodder]

I suspect I may still be holding the arc for too long - looking at the way the pool has elongated?

Yeah, to give you an idea i was initially being too quick with the button and as a result the HF wasn't firing as i was releasing the button before the preflow had finished. I doubt i had the arc lit for more than a sec, whole thing was probably over in less than 2.