Oh no another first weld thread

[Lawnmowerboy]

I've always been told that when tigging then if the weld goes a golden colour then you have the right mix of amps and filler speed/thickness for the material


they look great!! much more even

 

[Shox Dr]

The perfect weld would be one with no colour at all. Colour is an indication of lack of gas coverage while the weldment is cooling.

 

[bert]

a lack of gas?

Im using a gas lens with the flow of 11 lpm, I did move quite fast though. Do you think I should have used less amps and moved slower?

 

[Shox Dr]

I was been pedantic to be honest. 11lpm is on the high side, 8lmp would be more than enough. Just remember you are learning to TIG and are doing just fine.


What size cup are you using

 

[bert]

Thanks

i have tried 8-9lpm and get grey welds, up the gas to 10-11 and I get the colour im not bothered by the colour I just want good welds though as it all gets painted in the end.

Im using a no.8 cup

I still have a lot of heat soak on some parts, the heat haze sometimes gets over an inch away from the weld but If I lower the amps its hard to start a weld puddle.

 

[gavuk]

Is it slightly undercut Bert?....i struggle with photo's ...looks like you are enjoying the tig ,now get yourself a better mig,with the sales....

 

[bert]

pah, the Mig is now relegated to the unloved corner

it does look slightly undercut, i'll have another look tonight when I get home.

 

[langy]

Bert are you using a pedal ???

 

[bert]

no, just straight amps, i think i need one though.

 

[langy]

no, just straight amps, i think i need one though.

I found one invaluable, especially on stainless & aluminium.

 

[bert]

A little update now I have a few more hours under my belt with the Tig.

this is a 8mm mild flange with a 2.25" diameter 1.6mm wall 304 Stainless tube. I used 65Amps no pedal as my R-tech is just an on/off with a pedal anyway 10lpm gas flow and a 309L filler rod.


17052012469.JPG by bertmuppet, on Flickr


17052012470.JPG by bertmuppet, on Flickr

Is the light brown colour off the heat haze an indication of a lack of gas coverage there?

I still need to work on being more stable holding the tig torch as i had to re sharpen 2-3 times.

 

[Premiershipman]

Looks pretty good to me, if you are wobbling with the torch try to rest your arm on the work bench to steady it.

 

[Shox Dr]

What's the inside look like?

 

[bert]

What's the inside look like?

Fully penetrated but furry as its not back purged can get a pic of that later.

 

[bert]

I thought id give a little update on my tig welding, 99% of it is mow on mild steel

This was the last weld I did, not touching down all that often now but I think I still have a long way to go.

that welding 25mm mild tube 1.5mm wall to 5mm mild plate. Amps were about 75 with no pedal. 1.6mm red tungsten. 9lpm gas

Constructive criticism/advice always welcome


Untitled by bertmuppet, on Flickr

 

[biffa]

Jeez you dont any more than 6 lpm its just a waste of gas, I never use any more than that on stainless, itd more about technique to achieve colour less welds, try not pointing the tungsten directly at th weld pool have it tilted back abit, at then end of the day a grey weld us not much different than a gold one after its benn wire brushed