TIG'ing small brackets ?

[PSweeney]

Having a hard time getting the settings right for welding small 3mm brackets onto 3mm tube. using about 60 amp, but the balance between melting the base metal to form a pool versus blowing the edge of the bracket away is what I'm struggling with. Any pointers ?

 

[chevy2]

Try keeping the heat more onto the tube than the edge of the bracket and move the weldpool onto the edge,
maybe change the torch angle slightly so its not directed at the bracket edge and more onto the tube which can handle more heat,

One other thing, make sure the bracket fit to the tube is very good as this will help a lot as you dont really want to be filling it with weld like with mig.

 

[rohart]

Get in closer with a sharper tungsten and use 30 amps to get a smaller puddle.

You may get two - a puddle on the bracket and a puddle on the base. The trick is to get them to combine. A touch of filler in the base puddle will cool it a little, and may bridge the gap. Then you have one puddle, and you can fill for a larger fillet. It becomes almost like soldering.

You have to let it soak a little this way to get good penetration, but it doesn't sound like you need to support your own weight on this bracket.

If it doesn't work, your two puddles were so small you can clean off and start again. The major danger is dipping. Have a few spare sharpened tungstens around.

That's just my take on it, anyhow.