Tig Troubles

[K-80]

Hello all!

So I have been on tig(GTAW) for about two weeks now. Right now im just running a pad of welds without filler metal on a 1/8" thick plate. Every now and then I can get a really good looking motion and everything goes good. But most of the time the arc seems to fan out, wander, or arc to a million different places near the gun. When sharpening I make sure to have all of the grinding lines leading to the tip and flattened slightly on the end.
Can anybody tell me what I am doing wrong? I really need to get on to filler metal ASAP to build a spiral staircase before march.

Im using mild carbon steel and a red tungsten.

 

[shenion]

Keep a short arc length.

Make sure the metal is clean. Any dirt or mill scale will likely contaminate the tungsten.

If you touch the pool you will contaminate the tungsten.

Too short a post flow will contaminate the tungsten. I make the mistake of whipping the torch away when donethat will cause the tip to get contaminated.

 

[Shox Dr]

Sounds like you are dipping the tungsten and continuing on, instead of regrinding. While is can be done by someone with more experience a beginner needs to STOP as soon as they contaminate either the weld or the tungsten and regrind.

I know its a pain but the words Clean clean clean, go hand in hand with prep, prep, prep. If you are not cleaning dirty welds or Tungsten you are doing neither

 

[inchpincher]

I wouldn't flatten the end of the tungsten, keep it nice and sharp.

 

[NTwoO]

I wouldn't flatten the end of the tungsten, keep it nice and sharp.

There are plenty of the pro sites that recommend that the very tip is ground off. This to prevent spitting. Just a flat with a radius of 0.1-0.2mm

 

[pedrobedro]

I only flat the end on AC as it recommends it in the manual but not for DC.

 

[K-80]

So I have good news! I am going about 20-25min of solid welding with out having to grind and an no longer getting most of the problems listed above. Im pretty sure i had a list of things going on
1: too much stick-out
2: finishing out a weld with a slightly contanimated tungsten
3: too far away from the metal.


Now i am on to getting steady with one hand on the torch and then to filler metal.
thanks for the help chaps

 

[NTwoO]

I only flat the end on AC as it recommends it in the manual but not for DC.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/tungsten-electrode-guide
Section at the bottom:
When welding with lower currents on thinner materials (those ranging from .005- to .040-in.), it is best to grind the tungsten to a point. A pointed tungsten allows the welding current to transfer in a focused arc and helps prevent thinner metals, such as aluminum, from becoming distorted. As a note, using pointed tungsten for higher current applications is not recommended, as the higher current can blow off the tip of the tungsten and cause weld puddle contamination.