Tig issues

[stuvy]

We have a loan machine 170amp ac dc machine whilst ours is away being looked at

thing is, we are experiencing the same issues that the other machine had

we have brand new bottles of argon 200 from a local welding supplier

Iv tested the bottles, regulator(x2) and swapped the torch over but to no avail


I think it’s a gas issue but not sure. The first 6 welds are on T45, cleaned with a brand new brush and wiped with acetone left to dry for a few mins then welded.
The tungsten was brand new out of a fresh packet and both the T45 and then the Ali was brand new

any suggestions?

 

[stuvy]

Forgot to add post of this was 60 amp on 2t on the button with one at 90 on the foot pedal and as low as 45 on the button

we tried the gas from nothing to full pelt but still the same

 

[Maker]

Have you checked for holes in your gas line?

 

[stuvy]

Swapped the gas line

checked all o rings on the connections

 

[stuvy]

It was on DC that it did it first, tried with fresh tungsten(red) on steel and T45

then tried white new tungsten with ali and it was the same

same brand of machine I wouldn’t put it past them to have sent out an already faulty one as we sent two back needing repair with the same issues

we have tried 5 bottles now of pure argon

 

[stuvy]

First picture is 3mm steel with fresh red tungsten

 

[eSCHEn]

Yeah I'm on a small screen right now so missed your already excellent deducing, sorry!

As it's common to differing materials and W; gas or machine does seem likely. If you're confident on the gas supplier being sound then open the machine and check the gas solenoid and tubing inside if you can. That would be the next step in the line as you've eliminated the source, the pressure regulation, the feed hose and the torch. Only bit left in middle is the machine?

If you can't open it up then swap the machine out with literally any other welder that works - if the problem goes away then you are on the right path. If not then more thunking needed...

 

[Maker]

literally any other welder that works

Or a valved torch and bypass the machine's plumbing.

 

[Tigman]

What size cup and how many lpm on the gas ?

 

[stuvy]

Yeah I'm on a small screen right now so missed your already excellent deducing, sorry!

As it's common to differing materials and W; gas or machine does seem likely. If you're confident on the gas supplier being sound then open the machine and check the gas solenoid and tubing inside if you can. That would be the next step in the line as you've eliminated the source, the pressure regulation, the feed hose and the torch. Only bit left in middle is the machine?

If you can't open it up then swap the machine out with literally any other welder that works - if the problem goes away then you are on the right path. If not then more thunking needed...

the machine was unboxed by me this morning and is 100% new

I opened the old machine and it’s a right PITA to do with 4 machine screws each side, handle off then a further 6 on the rear to remove

as for the gas it’s had 4 brand new bottles from United welding and the company have never had an issue with them before

 

[stuvy]

What size cup and how many lpm on the gas ?

normally a 7 but tried a variety of sizes and gas from 2lpm up to full chat with a pea shooter and without

 

[stuvy]

Or a valved torch and bypass the machine's plumbing.

how much is one a valved torch?

@eSCHEn i did test the old machines that went back and they didn’t show any sogns of leaking with leak detector spray

 

[Maker]

how much is one a valved torch?

Fourteen quid. I wasn't suggesting you buy one though, I just thought it was more likely you'd have a valved torch than a whole other working machine kicking around. Rather than buy a new torch head to troubleshoot a dodgy machine, I'd just connect the torch's gas line straight to the regulator and waste a bit of gas turning it on and off at the cylinder, you're only gonna run one bead like it.

 

[Wallace]

Are you using the same torch as when the problem started?

 

[Tigman]

Have you got HF on ? Might pay to put a picture of the machine front and back , when the high frequency start is off I've had trouble on aluminium !

 

[stuvy]

Fourteen quid. I wasn't suggesting you buy one though, I just thought it was more likely you'd have a valved torch than a whole other working machine kicking around. Rather than buy a new torch head to troubleshoot a dodgy machine, I'd just connect the torch's gas line straight to the regulator and waste a bit of gas turning it on and off at the cylinder, you're only gonna run one bead like it.

will try that when I’m back in

 

[mtt.tr]

Have you tried running hotter, looks to me as if its to cold to melt instantly and the heat is then out of control

 

[stuvy]

Have you got HF on ? Might pay to put a picture of the machine front and back , when the high frequency start is off I've had trouble on aluminium !

hf is on

it’s an rtech tig 170 ac dc with cooler but tried it with another torch that is known to work but same issue

thing is The machine played up we swapped to our older machine, then sent it back before Christmas got the new one and opened the box today but same issue

swapped the reg over and tried with three bottles

we are getting a new tig plant as the former boss ordered these and they are a hobby machine at best

 

[stuvy]

Have you tried running hotter, looks to me as if its to cold to melt instantly and the heat is then out of control

yep had it at 110 and it was the same and tried full pelt too just blows holes

 

[Shox Dr]

Not always easy to find a leak. I built this a while back to test


It’s just a tyre valve pushed into a no8 cup, with a pressure gauge


I would be cleaning the tube better as well. I use a wire twist mop to descale the inside of the tube