Wandering arc at startup

[Guzrik]

I am fusing stainless tubes OD1/8" into machined part.
Fronius magicwave (pedal) and purple 1.6mm electrodes in a ck torch with a screen.
Sometimes (not always) the arc wanders off first few seconds scoring product. I tried preflowing but that doesn't seem to help.
Does anyone know a solution for this?
Thanks in advance for tips.

 

[chrismac]

Wow, not so good, could be classed as arc strikes and rejectable in some cases, how long is your slope up or are you on remote, using a slider/foot pedal bringing it up to amps quicker could help, tungsten point is important to channel the arc onto the one spot, not allowing the arc to wander like this, I wonder is arc blow an issue with tig, wrapping your earth round the job anywhere could eliminate that if its an issue.

Chris

 

[graffian]

How close is the tungsten to where the weld bead is when your hitting the pedal?

 

[Guzrik]

Don't know exactly, think 1mm or so.
I try to fully depress the pedal down immediately, but max at 29 amps.
Electrode was new, new point made on a dedicated electrode grinder with diamont wheel.
Wrapping the cable around is worth a try.

 

[Popcorn]

Turn the frequency up it should help to focus the arc

 

[Brad93]

Turn the frequency up it should help to focus the arc

It's stainless

 

[Brad93]

Bad earth

 

[Agroshield]

This does not solve the problem, but might stop rejected or unsightly parts until you do determine what is causing the issue:

Cut a circle out of a piece of copper pipe and drill six holes in it. Use it to shield the places you do not want the arc to go.

 

[Guzrik]

Our table is a aluminium toolplate of 20mm thick.
Always found that nice to use, but now think there might be reasons why that is not so common?
Until today we always had the original bronze clamp on, but today I fanally got round installing a 0.5m cable with an eye crimped on.
This problem existed for years and I didn't notice any difference yet but to wrap the cable around I migth switch back for testing.

 

[Popcorn]

It's stainless

Doh my only excuse is I've been in the pub, this was breakfast

 

[Brad93]

Our table is a aluminium toolplate of 20mm thick.
Always found that nice to use, but now think there might be reasons why that is not so common?
Until today we always had the original bronze clamp on, but today I fanally got round installing a 0.5m cable with an eye crimped on.
This problem existed for years and I didn't notice any difference yet but to wrap the cable around I migth switch back for testing.

Check the inside of your dinse connection and the crimp connection to the earth clamp.

Aluminium table is good if the aluminium is kept clean and bright. Dull aluminium has excessive oxide - not so good for conductivity.

 

[tommy dunlop]

View attachment 462883
I am fusing stainless tubes OD1/8" into machined part.
Fronius magicwave (pedal) and purple 1.6mm electrodes in a ck torch with a screen.
Sometimes (not always) the arc wanders off first few seconds scoring product. I tried preflowing but that doesn't seem to help.
Does anyone know a solution for this?
Thanks in advance for tips.

Hi I have a parweld and I had this problem,I found out it has a setting where I can set the start at a percentage of the main amps, so I set it at 15pecent otherwise it wanders until it hits the main amp I don't know if you have this setting on your machine ,also I havnt read the replys,hope this helps

 

[Munkul]

I would have thought the magicwave has an adjustable start current? Irrespective of pedal position. Also might be HF energy, if that's adjustable. Can you adjust what size tungsten the machine thinks it has? Try setting a smaller one if so, it MIGHT make a difference.

I've only ever seen this problem on a basic non-adjustable TIG set and also on a very fancy Lorch V40 where someone had been fiddling with the settings.

 

[Cheesie]

Check your percentage fir start up amps, I've never had wandering arc with my magic wave, tungsten sharp? No splits, are you sharpening the tungsten right, have you tried a new tungsten

 

[Guzrik]

I think the pedal starts at 1 amp or so and then modulates to the max you set on the display?

This problem occurs only in the first second or so, we normally ignore it.
Had it for years now, so also with different electrodes.
Not sure if the shapening angle has an effect.

 

[Popcorn]

Might be worth having a look at the points gap on the hf starter (forgot the name), cleaning and resetting it.

 

[Cheesie]

I think the pedal starts at 1 amp or so and then modulates to the max you set on the display?

This problem occurs only in the first second or so, we normally ignore it.
Had it for years now, so also with different electrodes.
Not sure if the shapening angle has an effect.

It's not the angle, some people will snap of the end of a tungsten, when the tip gets contaminated which can cause them to split, I've also had cheap tungsten split on me for no reason, although ac is harder on the tungsten, it sounds like something simple is causing it, could be a weak arc, but what is causing it?

 

[Rrobson]

Might sound like a daft question here, but at what point is the arc leaving the tungsten? Is it flowing off the end of the point or is it coming off the side?

 

[chrismac]

Looking at the image again, are you rotating the piece to the same position before welding, is the arc strikes/arc wander at approx 5 o clock and 7 o clock , the arc riding up the tungsten into the ceramic, you could try pointing your tungsten straight down to see if that helps, I was also told (worth a try) try giving the tungsten a scratch before you arc up,

Good luck getting to the bottom if your issue.

 

[Guzrik]

Might sound like a daft question here, but at what point is the arc leaving the tungsten? Is it flowing off the end of the point or is it coming off the side?

It starts of the side and after one second or so it slides to the point and is normal.