Newbie:Tungsten blunt quickly. Arc pulls to the side.

[phil81uk]

Hi. I'm quite new to TIG. I've managed to do strong weld, and weld up car body work, and bits and bobs.

I've been finding that my tungstens blunt almost immediately. I start with a sharp tungsten, and by the time I welded a 2 inch weld across 4mm thick steel, the tungsten looks blunt.

I'm also finding that the arc pulls to the side and doesn't go directly under the tungsten. Instead it will pull in a random direction.

I think I need to get some lessons, but thought I'd start here with some written advice.

Thanks.

 

[Paul.]

First thing to check is the polarity, the torch should be connected to the Negative connector on the welder, what size tungsten are you using, on 4mm I would be using a 2.4, at perhaps 120 to 140 amps depending on the joint and position.
Have you read through the tutorial and the FAQ, there should be plenty there to get you started with the basic set up,

 

[Jackel]

I'd check your using the right tungsten and the balance is correct

 

[Paul.]

Balance would only apply to AC (if the welder is equipped with that function), for steel its DC electrode neg.

 

[Paul G]

Hi,
Just a thought, but you aren't using MIG gas are you? (Pure argon for TIG)

As for help with set up/advice/lessons it may pay to narrow down your location a bit.
There may well be a fellow welder on here that could help you out just a few miles away.

Cheers,
Paul G

 

[Ed.]

Hi,
Just a thought, but you aren't using MIG gas are you? (Pure argon for TIG)
Paul G

I would be very surprised if he could even do a 1/2" weld using MIG gas instead of argon, you would know something was not right the second the arc started, it's a bit like starting to TIG without the gas bottle valve open.

As a general use electrode, I use a 2% Lanthanated, seems to work well on steel, stainless and aluminium, with aluminium if the balance ratio is on too high it will blunt it up after a short while but not had any dramas with steel or stainless using my Inverter type TIG up to 180-220 amps using 2.4mm electrodes. Regarding the pull to one side, it could be because the tip has become blunt, the TIG electrode angle may be wrong or too close to one side or else the steel may have become magnetised.

Then again I should mention that I am not a real good TIG welder (functional welds ... but not pretty), so just my 2 cents worth.


Cheers.

Ed.

 

[Paul G]

I would be very surprised if he could even do a 1/2" weld using MIG gas instead of argon, you would know something was not right the second the arc started, it's a bit like starting to TIG without the gas bottle valve open.

As a general use electrode, I use a 2% Lanthanated, seems to work well on steel, stainless and aluminium, with aluminium if the balance ratio is on too high it will blunt it up after a short while but not had any dramas with steel or stainless using my Inverter type TIG up to 180-220 amps using 2.4mm electrodes. Regarding the pull to one side, it could be because the tip has become blunt, the TIG electrode angle may be wrong or too close to one side or else the steel may have become magnetised.

Then again I should mention that I am not a real good TIG welder (functional welds ... but not pretty), so just my 2 cents worth.


Cheers.

Ed.

Hi Ed,

I frequent a car building forum (Locostbuilders) where a chap posted that his new TIG welder didn't seem to run right.
It was a hot summers day, and as I fancied a ride out on my bike I offered to help. He had never welded with TIG before and had obtained his gas from his local BOC depot.
I suspect that he got muddled and asked for a cylinder for his new MIG, instead of his new TIG.
He had welded almost an entire chassis with argon/5%CO2 and was an excellent tungsten sharpener.

I fully agree that an experienced TIG welder would have noticed, but if you are new to the process you don't know what it should be like.

IMHO, an hour with a pro can save hours of heart ache.

Cheers,
Paul G

 

[Country Joe]

Also, not sharpening the tungsten lengthways is supposed to give you a scattery arc.
CJ

 

[Jackel]

Balance would only apply to AC (if the welder is equipped with that function), for steel its DC electrode neg.

Sorry Didn't see the Steel part in the OP