When welding stainless, generally 304 and 316, I have noticed lately that the tip of the tungsten gradually seems to go from a sharp point to more of a mushroom when welding. When I start welding with the sharp point I get a beautiful weld, but as the end of tungsten starts to change, the weld pool starts to wander and I lose the nice fine ripples. Material is generally 1.6 mm stainless with either a thoriated or multi-strike tungsten, 2.4mm dia. Seems worse when on pulse, although the multi-strike lasts longer on pulse than the thoriated. Typically I can get one weld round a 2" pipe before I need to regrind. Using Pure Argon (Air Liquide) and a gas lens.
- Thread starter gatesy
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julieanncharters
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out of intrest have you got good gas flow at the torch end.
had this last year on a cheap r tech 160dc .
the gas pipe had split were it connected to the torch with a crimp so on some angles it opened up starving the tip of any gas hence tungsten died
had this last year on a cheap r tech 160dc .
the gas pipe had split were it connected to the torch with a crimp so on some angles it opened up starving the tip of any gas hence tungsten died
Yes there is gas at the torch, have experimented with different flow rates but this does not make any difference. Machine is a a Miller Dynasty 350. Beginning to wonder if the tungstens are of poor quality, I think they might be Buck and Hickman or SWP. Don't seem to be able to find a tungsten supplier who actually makes tungstens!!!!
I dont know for sure but both those names are known for cheapness rather than for quality
These used to be good
http://www.elmerwallace.co.uk/
These used to be good
http://www.elmerwallace.co.uk/
If the internet's to be believed most brands of tungsten are made in China. CK Worldwide should be a safe choice quality wise, i think Rapidwelding are the sole UK stockist. Not much on the Elmerwallace site about their tungsten, more detail here... http://www.plansee.com/en/Products-Forming-and-machining-tools-Welding-electrodes-TIG-welding-69.htm. I switched to Huntingdon Fusion a few years ago (after getting some weird behaviour from Parweld) as they were the only alternative among my usual suppliers. Google should get some different stockists, Weldmet and Westcoweld are 2 that come to mind
I get the feeling that they're a manufacturer first and don't really put themselves 'out there' as a brand... http://www.diamondground.com/frequently-asked-questions-tungsten.html
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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I've been really lucky with Tungstens, I bought a boat load, off a guy on t'bay about 3yrs ago. Un-branded Zir'ks, still working my way through them. He gave me some Greys, and they were s***e. Not used them since
HR how much are the ones you use, these I've got aren't going to last forever
HR how much are the ones you use, these I've got aren't going to last forever
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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Premiershipman
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What about the Multi Strike Huntingdon electrodes, advised that they are good and they seem to get good reviews online.
Having being a tig welder for many years in industry and passing more tests than I can remember,( now retired for years). It was common practise for the tungsten point to last for days with out the need to re-sharpen, unless contaminated by touch down.
All these welding sets run from 3 phase supply and cost quite a lot more than you would find in any sets found for use in the home garage.( single phase).
My own 160amp tig welder doe's not keep the point for very long and for quite some time have pondered over the reason and have come to the conclusion that it is not the tungsten quality but more about the tig welder it's self.
As you know the whole purpose of the welding set is to convert an AC current to DC. and give the operator control of the out put.
My theory is that the transformation from AC is not to a pure DC current but has "blips" of AC current present and it is these which over heat the tungsten electrode causing the point to be burnt away.
Any "blips" above the line do not matter they are absorbed by the work being done but any below will tend to burn the end of the tungsten away.
Sorry if any of this doe's not make much sense, I am not much good at explaining things, perhaps someone can do better.
All these welding sets run from 3 phase supply and cost quite a lot more than you would find in any sets found for use in the home garage.( single phase).
My own 160amp tig welder doe's not keep the point for very long and for quite some time have pondered over the reason and have come to the conclusion that it is not the tungsten quality but more about the tig welder it's self.
As you know the whole purpose of the welding set is to convert an AC current to DC. and give the operator control of the out put.
My theory is that the transformation from AC is not to a pure DC current but has "blips" of AC current present and it is these which over heat the tungsten electrode causing the point to be burnt away.
Any "blips" above the line do not matter they are absorbed by the work being done but any below will tend to burn the end of the tungsten away.
Sorry if any of this doe's not make much sense, I am not much good at explaining things, perhaps someone can do better.
Andy from Workshopshed
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The name implies that you could get a single strike tungsten which would be rather useless as you'd need to keep changing them, so they must be good!
