Tig HF start help needed.

[dobbslc]

On the top one it looks like you're getting contamination from the air how many litres per minute is your gas set too? I assume you're using pure argon?
Is it a external flow meter or built into the regulator?

Pure argon with a flow meter set to about 6 -7 lpm. I do get some popping and spitting from it here.

Edit: I see no filler. Use filler. Mild steel doesn't fuse nicely at all, you need filler because it has deoxidising components (silicone, magnesium etc) that mop up any contaminants

No filler in the top one I just wanted to see how everything worked first. I didn't realize the rods had additives.

Second weld looks bang on mate, possibly go a few less amps as it looks like there is some slight undercutting.
The brown dust at end of weld definitely suggests contamination of the tungsten or filler, perhaps from gas coverage or did you touch down?

There is a fair bit of undercut on this one but I had the thing maxed out with foot to the floor and yes I am getting a bit of contamination of the tungsten and I think I touched the filler to the tungsten too.....
Think I had a #4 shroud on as well so if I'm thinking right should I go with a bigger one?
Thanks for the help and advice it's really helped out, given me a bit of confidence to have a go at something I've wanted to do since I got my first BMX with a tig welded frame 30 years ago!

Edit sorry the quote thing went a bit weird here.

 

[dobbslc]

The peddle seems a bit incosistant sometimes but I have been lifting off at the end of the run. I'll probably try to find a new pot for the peddle at some point and rewire it too.

 

[dobbslc]

It bas 5 pins from memory, it's split between the two plugs I'm holding in one of the earlier photos.

 

[dobbslc]

Looking at the inside of the welder I'd say that's right I can see 5 wires.

 

[Gavin Melville]

That component you saw glowing is a spark gap, generally as filled. It's part of the HF ignition circuitry, and should glow.

 

[dobbslc]

Thanks I was still wondering about that.

 

[awa]

Great post! I hope someone reads my post, last post here is more than a year ago but I want to try. I have a similar welder, Lincoln Norweld TIG 131 with the same problem. I have now changed the connection of the torch cable to the combined gas/power outlet as suggested, but the arc I get only pulls about 1 milimeter. After scratch start it welds ok so I suspect the HF unit.
The little white siemens thing on my HF circuit board does not glow as Dobbslc mentioned, might be broken. since on my thing the details are no longer readable, would you perhaps be so kind as to provide me the details (numbers etc) on your Siemens thing, Dobbslc? Perhaps I can order this part and replace it.

Does anybody know what this is and does?

 

[dobbslc]

I can have a look for you next time I'm in the workshop with a bit of spare time. After that last post nearly 2 years ago! I haven't done much tig welding at all!
I've recently moved house but know where the machine is.
Welcome to the forum

 

[awa]

Thanks a lot! I also do not spend a lot of time with my welder but would like to get it going again. By now I found the details of the Siemens thing. it is sort of a spark arrester and probably not causing my problem so you do not need to look at yours any more, thanks for your willingness however! When I looked closely at the pics you posted of the HF unit I saw a difference with mine: the green component, a resistor or capacitor, is missing on my board and has been replaced by a piece of wire. Could you perhaps do give me the details printed on this piece? I can read something like '10R' on one side but that does not tell me much.

 

[dobbslc]

OK here's some pictures of the mystery component...

It has 5% 5W on it.

Here's a couple more of other bits on the HF board.



The bit above is the one that glows when the HF start is working.


Number for the relay.
Hope this helps awa

 

[Seadog]

The green component is resistor, the white one is a spark gap.

 

[Seadog]

I can read something like '10R' on one side but that does not tell me much.

10 Ohms 5% 5 Watts (It'll be a wirewound resistor).

 

[dobbslc]

Here's the other side of the resister.

 

[awa]

SUPER! Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to answer, and take and post the pictures, that is highly appreciated!! Now I can replace the bit of wire with the correct wire wound resistor and check the other components. And then hopefully it gives nice sparks. I will let you know the results.

 

[awa]

10 Ohms 5% 5 Watts (It'll be a wirewound resistor).

And Thanks Seadog! Do yo have a similar welder, or do you do repairs for welding equipment?