tig set up advice

[MrGaz]

hi all,

can so one help me out here , i have a cebora 1365 mama set. i have just bought all the parts to have a go at scratch start tig.

3 things i am stuck on before giving it ago .
1st - does the gig torch still go to +plus ?
2nd - what pressure / flow and i looking on my flow gauge ?
3rd- what sort of amp should i be looking at for 1.6mm tips

cheers

 

[Paul.]

DC tig is torch negative, and you will be ok with around 5 lpm,
Have a read through the tutorial and the Tig faq to get you started,

Welcome to the forum

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tig-tutorial.htm
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wiki/TIG_Welding_FAQ

 

[MrGaz]

excellent thank you mate. just reading up on them when you posted .

 

[Richard.]

I'd suggest 5lpm if you have a gas lens. Collet bodies are not as efficient On usage so if your using those 6-7 LPM May be needed.
A ceramic fitting pea shooter for around £5 is a worth while investment. On dc a 1.6 tungsten is good for up to 130 amps (some say more some say less) I generally step up to a 2.4 at 110 .

 

[MrGaz]

ok i am using collets so will have a go with 6-7 ish.
just had my very first go lol got stuck the plate twice no out of tips till i grind some more . the joys but i did manage to run 3 small runs

 

[MrGaz]

what colour tungsten would be best for scratch start, 1.6 for thin (around 1-1.6mm) steel ??
i have red at the moment

 

[Richard.]

what colour tungsten would be best for scratch start, 1.6 for thin (around 1-1.6mm) steel ??
i have red at the moment

They'll do just fine mate. Use a dust mask if grinding them open

 

[MrGaz]

yer i know the joys of tungsten, i done my mechanical apprenticeship in it.

 

[MrGaz]

I can get hold of gold 1.6mm for free of charge from work will they be ok ??

 

[Richard.]

1.6mm what? Tungstens? Yeah I use that size all the time.

 

[Richard.]

Gold are 1.5% lanth.
Good tungstens on both ac and dc. If they come for free take em and use em

 

[MrGaz]

sorry i was in work i forgot the tungsten part , opps yep just got 20 for free

 

[MrGaz]

right just had my very first go. with out filler rod just small 2" runs . i used about 6 tungstens, i got 1 stuck and snapped the end off and the other 5 i seem to be melting the end of it now looks like a ball / flame shape on a candle ??? sort of thing . what am i doing wrong ??

 

[eSCHEn]

Okay. Either way too far away (should be couple mm) or you have tungsten / earth round wrong way.

There's a really good tutorial at the top ^ of this site but the relevant bit right now is here

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tig-technique.htm

 

[langy]

right just had my very first go. with out filler rod just small 2" runs . i used about 6 tungstens, i got 1 stuck and snapped the end off and the other 5 i seem to be melting the end of it now looks like a ball / flame shape on a candle ??? sort of thing . what am i doing wrong ??

The torch should be negative

 

[MrGaz]

earth clamp on + side

ok will try get a bit closer , bit i did look close

 

[Richard.]

right just had my very first go. with out filler rod just small 2" runs . i used about 6 tungstens, i got 1 stuck and snapped the end off and the other 5 i seem to be melting the end of it now looks like a ball / flame shape on a candle ??? sort of thing . what am i doing wrong ??

Wrong polarity is about the only reason a tungsten would melt.
Torch in negative, work return needs to be in positive. If you've done that then look at gas. You should be using pure 100% argon. Any form of active gas (co2. O2) will also kill the electrode.

 

[eSCHEn]

Hadn't thought about gas

 

[langy]

Wrong polarity is about the only reason a tungsten would melt.
Torch in negative, work return needs to be in positive. If you've done that then look at gas. You should be using pure 100% argon. Any form of active gas (co2. O2) will also kill the electrode.

Good point Rich, isn't that in the tutorials

 

[MrGaz]

ok got 100% argon
and work is positive, i was sold size 5 collar and pink cup thinky
using about 6lpm