Help me find my tig problem

[deereman75]

I have finally got started with tig welding, but I am having a really hard time with the tungsten and work turning black.
A few questions to start with. First, will a contaminated tungsten cause the work to be dull, black, and seem not shielded? Second, how far should the tungsten stick out of the cup? I have it around 3/8 of an inch. Third, would a 1/16 tungsten because overheating at 85 amps?
Also, can using a piece of clear vinyl tubing for gas hose cause an issue? It holds out pressure fine, but it was designed more for water than argon.... It was all I could get at the hardware store, and the only semi welding supply place didn't have anything.

Finally, how far should the tungsten be held from the work while welding?

I have already been suggested to use a bigger tungsten, and try using reading glasses. I will get both of those before using any more of my argon.

Any other tricks, tips, and suggestions?
I don't really want to burn any more argon before I have some idea what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Bday]

I assume you are welding aluminum? Right

 

[Shield Arc]

This may help you, more so than we can with the type written word.

Tig Welding Old School with Scratch Start - Homemade Tig Welder | welding-tv.com

 

[deereman75]

Nope, scratch start welding steel. The welds look like gas welds with the heavy black coating on them. And the tungsten is black.
I am sure a part of it is my arc starts.

 

[Bday]

This may help you, more so than we can with the type written word.

Tig Welding Old School with Scratch Start - Homemade Tig Welder | welding-tv.com

Cool video!

 

[Bday]

Nope, scratch start welding steel. The welds look like gas welds with the heavy black coating on them. And the tungsten is black.
I am sure a part of it is my arc starts.

2% tungsten
Arc gap about the same as thickness of your tungsten.
Clean steel

 

[Bday]

Hey Deereman did you find out your problem?

 

[LD1]

What is your argon flow?

What tungsten are you using? (there are 4 or 5 different kinds now. I think all work on steel except green 100% stuff)

I assume you are welding on DC. IS it DCEN or DCEP??

Got any pics of the results??

3/8" stick-out seems a bit far to me. But if gas flow is adequate, shouldnt cause the issues you describe?

I agree that online how-to videos will do you alot more good than we can at the moment.

 

[k0ua]

I use a 5 cup, with 1/16 3/8 stickout is OK but dont go any longer.. with 15cfh of argon. about 1/16 above the puddle. Is the arc stable? looks like a little umbrella? DCEN correct? I am using 1/16 Lanthanated Tungstun They work fine at 85 amps.

 

[deereman75]

I am using thorinated tungsten. DCEN, 20 cfh argon.
I am going to talk to a master welder/machinist friend of mine this weekend, and see what he thinks.
I am going to see about getting a lesson or two from him.

 

[yomax4]

I am using thorinated tungsten. DCEN, 20 cfh argon.
I am going to talk to a master welder/machinist friend of mine this weekend, and see what he thinks.
I am going to see about getting a lesson or two from him.

If you are holding the correct arc length like you said 1/16 or so and you have no porosity , it has to be the base metal..steel tig welding is all about the material being clean..it's just as bad as aluminum for contamination. The only other thing that comes to mind is the wrong gas. Any chance they gave you a 75/25? Or a bad argon tank..you just don't have steel tig issues if all is clean. You didn't mention filler metal..are you just putting down beads or are you actually joining.?

 

[weldermike]

Deereman when it comes to metal being clean for tig welding this is what we mean. All mill scale removed and wiped down with acetone. Time consuming, but worth the time. I even wipe my filler down with acetone. You would br suprised how much black crud comes of of it.

 

[Shield Arc]

You see the question all the time from guys just starting with Tig. "Why can't I use my Mig gas to Tig weld?" A while back I thought to myself, wonder what does happen? So I hooked my Tig rig to my C-25 bottle. Here's what it looks like. Sorry for the blurry picture!

 

[deereman75]

I have been grinding all the mill scale off, and wiping it all down with lacquer thinner.
It sure did make a difference.

Can dipping the tungsten in the puddle and badly contaminating it cause welds like the ones in shieldarc's picture?
I am at the museum tomorrow, so I will talk to the welder/machinist friend of mine, and see if I can get a little demonstration of how I should set everything up.

 

[Shield Arc]

If I remember correctly it was a very erratic arc, and I stuck the tungsten several times. Notice the arc marks on the table to the left of the plate? Soon as I struck an arc I thought to myself, oh this isn't going to be good! :laughing:

 

[weldermike]

I have been grinding all the mill scale off, and wiping it all down with lacquer thinner.
It sure did make a difference.

Can dipping the tungsten in the puddle and badly contaminating it cause welds like the ones in shieldarc's picture?
I am at the museum tomorrow, so I will talk to the welder/machinist friend of mine, and see if I can get a little demonstration of how I should set everything up.

Oh definately! Once you contaminate your tungsten its a downward spiral from there, you'll wind up with having to weld through soot with arc wander and all sorts of mayhem going on. Clean clean clean is the name of the game when it comes to tig.

 

[deereman75]

Ok, I think its my tungsten contamination that is the problem.

I am going to try a new tungsten, keep everything clean, and try again.
By the sound of it, that should work.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Oh definately! Once you contaminate your tungsten its a downward spiral from there, you'll wind up with having to weld through soot with arc wander and all sorts of mayhem going on. Clean clean clean is the name of the game when it comes to tig.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=335536"/>

Those sure are some beautiful welds...look at that uniformity...I gotta admit, I'm experiencing a little arc-envy. Makes me want to go buy a TIG

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[k0ua]

Those sure are some beautiful welds...look at that uniformity...I gotta admit, I'm experiencing a little arc-envy. Makes me want to go buy a TIG

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Its almost art isn't it?:thumbsup:

 

[weldermike]

Those sure are some beautiful welds...look at that uniformity...I gotta admit, I'm experiencing a little arc-envy. Makes me want to go buy a TIG

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Thank you bud and you too James!