Trouble shooting!

[BrokenBiker]

For me aluminium needs more amps and doesnt seem to be in any danger if setting the machine to the max when welding with a pedal. Plenty of local heat to get a puddle then back off once welding. It does seem counter intuitive though compared to steel

yep, i learnt that pretty early on, i didnt have a pedal on the first tig, but made sure i had a pedal with the second because i was needing so much more power to get the puddle going but then couldnt back off well without the pedal. if i need 150 or more ill just max it to 200, if i was welding 3mm id guess around 120 for the weld but add 10-15 amps so i can get into it nice and quick.

i do the same with steel as well to be fair, but will say i never need to max the pedal for steel if ive set it a bit hotter than needed.

 

[Popcorn]

Take the bottle off lay it down and give it a good rolling about and I don't mean a couple of feet.
Stick it on your lawn and roll it down the length of your garden and back.

 

[Van_Denton]

Yep amps up, it doesnt seem to want to back off nicely im sure its all just user error buy my god! its not encouraging! Pic for your amusement!

I dont really have the time these days to keep trying, I just wanted to tack something up in place and take to a good tig welder to finish off.

I guess now I need them to tack it all in place for me aswell, anyone know anyone decent in Northampton that might want a few hours work to help a brother help?

 

[Van_Denton]

Take the bottle off lay it down and give it a good rolling about and I don't mean a couple of feet.
Stick it on your lawn and roll it down the length of your garden and back.

OK will give that a go!! Over the rockery will be fun!

 

[qwakers]

thats what it looks like if you have the welder set to dc...

 

[Van_Denton]

thats what it looks like if you have the welder set to dc...

Set to AC im afraid!

 

[BrokenBiker]

Set to AC im afraid!

are you sure the switch works? does it make the AC buzz when welding?

are all the connections decent on torch, ground lead? internally as well? if you were closer id offer to come have a go and see whats what but northampton is a stretch for me at the moment, unless i get a job out your way (which is always a possibility)

 

[BrokenBiker]

do you have any way to verify the amp output?

ive just popped out to the shed to check a 3d print and found one of my scrap bits that i ran some practice beads on last weekend, AC balance at 30% positive, AC frequency at 90Hz, 130 amps through a pedal, 2.4mm blue tungsten, number 5 stubby gas lens cup with 6ish lpm argon flow, 2.4mm 4043 filler on unknown grade 3mm extruded ally flat bar, not even cleaned just grabbed from the pile, dropped on the bench and a few quick beads. i even turned the tig on to check those settings as i know i havent adjusted it since the welds last weekend. now granted ive been tig welding on and off more frequently than you have so im possibly better practiced at this point in time, but my results would make me think you have more issues than just being out of practice..

if you set it as i have above, and just try to light up a tack, let it grow to about 6mm then ease out of it, what happens? how long does it take to start a puddle?

 

[carbon]

Arc length needs to be very short 2-3mm max

 

[BrokenBiker]

Arc length needs to be very short 2-3mm max

i hadnt considered arc length, thats a good shout

 

[Van_Denton]

are you sure the switch works? does it make the AC buzz when welding?

are all the connections decent on torch, ground lead? internally as well? if you were closer id offer to come have a go and see whats what but northampton is a stretch for me at the moment, unless i get a job out your way (which is always a possibility)

That’s very kind of you but not to worry I will find someone to tack my project up, I think I was dreaming that I could do it!

I remember there was a guy on here called Paul as well, he was extremely kind to me and showed me how to weld about 10 years ago, he has probably retired now but I need to find someone like him local

 

[BrokenBiker]

that would probably have been @Paul. one of the moderators i would imagine.

 

[wyn]

that would probably have been @Paul. one of the moderators i would imagine.

He passed away a while ago.

 

[BrokenBiker]

He passed away a while ago.

ah i wasnt aware of that

 

[Van_Denton]

He passed away a while ago.

Oh that’s sad to hear, super lovely guy