Oxyacetylene + TIG rods = mega popping. Normal?

[rcx132]

Got my first torch and oxyacetylene setup. I thought I'd use my old TIG filler rods to practice. The rods are old and slightly rusty so I cleaned them up thoroughly before use. But applying the rods to the weld pools causes almost immediate splattering and then a pop which puts out the torch. Is this an issue with using TIG rods? Or the fact that I cleaned off the coating that was on them?

 

[Guzrik]

Coating is only thin Copper to prevent rust. What Rods do you have, ER70?

 

[brightspark]

what size tip are you using and how thick is the metal ??think i use a no2 tip on car bodywork

 

[pedrobedro]

Have you got your torch adjusted properly to a neutral flame ? It sounds like you are a bit up on oxygen, an oxidising flame. Have you cot a cleaning file set to check the nozzle is clear ?

 

[Paul.]

Sounds like the flame needs setting properly, and use the correct tip, you dont need much pressure for small tips, 2 to 4 PSI of both gasses is enough, too much pressure will blow the torch out, sometimes with a pop!. make sure that you have a neutral flame,
To set it light the Acetylene and make sure it is burning at the tip, ie no gap between the tip and flame, then increase the Acetylene using the torch knob untill the smoke just disappears, then gently open up the oxy, the flame will turn blue then increase it till the feather just disappears, leaving a sharp blue cone, this is a neutral flame and what you need for welding steel, your tig rods will be fine, they actually run very nicely on gas welding

 

[gordon stephenson]

I tended to use a No 3 nozzle on body work repairs etc,

 

[TechnicAl]

What is the difference between RG45 and RG60 welding wire? | The Harris Products Group

Both are solid wire oxyfuel welding rods, but each has its own distinct characteristics.

www.harrisproductsgroup.com

After a few years of retirement I am forgetting stuff that I knew off by heart.......TIg rods and Gas rods are different.......I cant recall if tig rods can be used for gas welding.........google it

I have also been down the pub....

 

[pedrobedro]

I've used tig rods to oxy acetylene weld, I even used wire coat hangers when I needed thicker rods You can get by with fence wire as well it's all steel. Gas rods are not triple de-oxidised like the tig rods is the only difference. I used a No2 nozzle for car work up to about 3mm.

 

[Parm]

have also been down the pub....

Time for your finest technical answers then.......

 

[rcx132]

I'm using a no 7 tip on 3.2mm steel, 3 psi gas, 5psi oxygen. Everything is fine until I had the filler rod. I'll try some cleaned up coat hanger wire.

increase the Acetylene using the torch knob untill the smoke just disappears,

I don't get a point where the black soot disappears. The flame goes feathery but still soots

 

[piman]

hello all,

I'm surprised at the size of nozzles some of you use for car bodywork, I know that they would be too big for me, I use a 1 for 20 gauge and a 2 for 18 gauge steel, generally 20 is the outer panels and 18 is the structural sections.

Rcx, I would normally use a 5 for 1/8" steel, not that I often weld that sort of thickness with gas.

Incidentally BOC recommends 2 psi acetylene and oxygen pressure up to a no 7 tip. i.e. equal pressure for their torch.
Too low a gas flow also causes severe popping.

Alec

 

[pedrobedro]

I don't get a point where the black soot disappears. The flame goes feathery but still soots

You need more pressure on the acetylene regulator then. Open the tap on your torch and light it then turn the reg till the smoke stops it might not be an accurate reading.

 

[8ob]

Got my first torch and oxyacetylene setup. I thought I'd use my old TIG filler rods to practice. The rods are old and slightly rusty so I cleaned them up thoroughly before use. But applying the rods to the weld pools causes almost immediate splattering and then a pop which puts out the torch. Is this an issue with using TIG rods? Or the fact that I cleaned off the coating that was on them?

Are there no gas welding forum members near you? Same as any type of welding, five minutes of their time sorting you out on setup and technique would save you a lot of grief.

Bob

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

Found an article with photos that shows the different o/a flame types . . . perhaps of help?

 

[Rrunnach]

What is the difference between RG45 and RG60 welding wire? | The Harris Products Group

Both are solid wire oxyfuel welding rods, but each has its own distinct characteristics.

www.harrisproductsgroup.com

After a few years of retirement I am forgetting stuff that I knew off by heart.......TIg rods and Gas rods are different.......I cant recall if tig rods can be used for gas welding.........google it

I have also been down the pub....

Aye TIG rods are fine when O&A welding. O&A rods are not good when TIG welding, with tig being triple de-oxidised, so a purer rod, if i can use this word.

 

[rcx132]

So I increased the gas at the regulator and that seems to have fixed things. Maybe my 10m long hoses need a bit extra pressure because of the length?

 

[Rrunnach]

So I increased the gas at the regulator and that seems to have fixed things. Maybe my 10m long hoses need a bit extra pressure because of the length?

Do you mind if I ask why you have 10 metre length of O&A hose?

Seems a lot of hose to maintain and inspect along the length, which should be a task you do at the start of purging up. Depending on what you are doing, two to three metre max should be suffice.

 

[brightspark]

think mine are 6 meters . to get over all the crap and stuff without moving the bottles

 

[rcx132]

Do you mind if I ask why you have 10 metre length of O&A hose?

Seems a lot of hose to maintain and inspect along the length, which should be a task you do at the start of purging up. Depending on what you are doing, two to three metre max should be suffice.

I can't remember what I was thinking when I ordered it... maybe I thought I don't want to be moving the bottles around and 10m will get me most places in my garage.

 

[brightspark]

generaly the hoses last a long time but if they come off the flashbacks sideways they can start to crack where they bend and its noticeable but still dont leak. i just cut 6 inch off and then there fine for another 4 years