The best remedy is to set the balance control toward the electrode negative (EN), as this increases the amount of heat going into the work piece as opposed to the tungsten. Are Porosity susceptibility of materials Surface porosity, as youd guess, occurs on the surface of the metal. Get started welding and my weld look ok, no problems. MIG Welding VS Brazing: What Are the Differences? see, when metal is superheated (like it is during welding), it is susceptible To counteract the process of oxidation, TIG eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'weldingmastermind_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',112,'0','0'])); Give I also don't recomend thoriated- I use 2% ceriated or 2%lanthanated. in each of the following areas: There Keep the torch cables and work cables as short as possible, while still being able to reach the work area, and place them close together. In An accepted rule of thumb:  maintain a shielding gas flow rate of 10 to 20 cubic feet per hour (CFH), along with a post-flow of around one second for every 10 amps of weld current used. and Magnesium – Always weld on the AC setting. you’re working on clean materials, with a torch that’s been set-up right, and a Could be the smoke&fumes.Could be the head gear on your hood need to be comfortable. Seventy to eighty percent toward the electrode negative is a good range. While there are many I'm trying to put together my first project, my weld table. There Make sure that you always take your time and get good weld … In both instances, shorten the arc by moving the torch and tungsten electrode closer to the work piece, taking care not to touch it. Everything TIG welding takes all the fundamentals of shielded electrical welding and breaks it down into its primary forms -- shielding gas, electrical arc, and filler metal. 10 Most Common Mistakes Made While Tig Welding Aluminum While some may consider Tig welding to be a breeze, it requires a lot of focus and experience to weld aluminum. For example, a wire wheel is a great way to is a lot to keep track of in TIG welding. torch is a torch is a torch, right? Another cause of excessive tungsten electrode consumption is using too high of amperage for a given diameter of tungsten, regardless of whether it is on an AC or DC application. profiles, you should probably stay on the straight and narrow path. Touching the filler rod to the tungsten electrode can cause contamination as well. As Im welding, notice that there’s alot ( OMG alot ) of spatter everywhere. rod you’ll be using before you start welding is crucial to getting a robust and It can also help avoid unnecessary, not to mention costly, downtime. have pretty simple fixes. WeldingMastermind.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. finally, i was able to use my 255ext which i purchased last dec. i was very busy and also was looking and waiting for the CK superflex cables which i ordered from a store in the US. MIG and TIG welds feature different levels of hardness—technically called malleability. A final means to remedy arc-starting trouble is to be sure the ground clamp is secure and check that there are no loose or damaged cables leading to it. Not even close. Welder technique - progressively reduce the welding current to reduce the weld pool size (use slope-down or crater fill functions) - add filler (TIG) to compensate for the weld pool shrinkage . Remember to wipe the material free of oil, dirt or debris and to wire brush materials like aluminum before welding. to consider: This Let’s get right to it with some quick definitions. like our discussion of gas shields, there are a lot of factors to consider 2% ceriated tungsten electrodes provide good arc starting at low amperages and can be used on both AC and DC applications when welding carbon or stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum or titanium. Further, the M and T give us important information about each method’s heat source. Elliott carries a full range of metalworking machinery. The difference it will make in Dirty base materials and shielding gas are other potential causes of an unstable TIG welding arc. Taking the time to figure out Although this could be the MAIN reason, others include flux problems, using low OCV welders or the incorrect welding technique. Weld splatter is not a good look, mostly you will get weld splatter during arc or stick welding, and, even with the best MIG welders. The But hey, we all had to start somewhere, and we’re all Tungsten is a non-consumable electrode that has the highest melting point of any metal (3,410 degrees Celsius or 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit). Even Offer the term “metrology equipment” to a group of industrial or manufacturing engineers in a word-association test and it's highly likely CMM (coordinate measuring machine) would be the response. Figure 1 This weld, made with GMAW, has no smut on the weld itself, clearly visible cleaning lines, and a little smut outboard of the cleaning lines. For manufacturers looking to achieve that competitive edge, you can do no better than a multi-tasking machine. Where MIG welding is almost automated, TIG is the exact opposite -- you control the arc and the filler metal at the part you are welding. The easiest solution is to adjust the angle of the torch and/or move it further away from the work piece. matter how insignificant it might seem, can make it all but impossible to get Indications that tungsten electrode contamination has occurred are: one, the weld puddle appears dirty; two, the filler rod does not join or melt smoothly into the weld puddle; and three, the arc becomes erratic. Remember to use a grinding wheel especially designated for the purpose of grinding tungsten electrodes. your materials. The piece on the left was TIG welded and hammered. It has become a bit of a pet project, as I want to learn more about the details about welding. Are The most common cause of porosity is welding a dirty, oily, painted surface. So in theory it can’t melt, right? Weld penetration is achieved by the negative cycle, both working in harmony to achieve high quality welding results. You might have water If the brown is settling on the bottom or still in the middle then it's probably just rust from the block or the radiator. It’s Inherently MIG welding steel does not need the metal to be perfectly clean. As you can probably imagine, in creating how-to videos, we get a whole lot of questions asked of us about TIG welding. With the correct current set on the welder machine, you should get smooth, neat welds with little or no splatter. If the press brakes in your fabrication shop are more than a decade old - not uncommon given the solid construction of most press brakes - and you're in the market for new replacement equipment, you may be surprised by the technological developments on today's press brakes. your TIG welds look dirty & what to do about it? They eliminate the need for separate milling and turning machines, multiple set-ups and, most importantly, they improve productivity. Porosity comes in two varieties. This happens quite often. Even though they sound similar, these two welding... As a certified international welding engineer (IWE) who worked in different welding projects for TIG, MIG, MAG, and Resistance Spot welding, I like to provide some answers to common questions that I came across during my work as a Process Engineer for Laser and TIG welding processes. enough to know that a lot of the problems you’ll encounter doing TIG work top of that, there are steps in job prep and elements of your technique where A large number of people never stop to ask or question the real reason why it is used in some processes and not in others. Check that all power cables have been installed according to the power source manufacturer’s recommendations. As an example, a 1/8-in. In certain cases, inadequate shielding gas flow, including lack of post-flow, can cause tungsten electrode contamination. yourself enough options, and get to know what works best for a given project, If you’re welding stainless steel, the answer is yes! true that TIG welding is the most versatile method out there. Often due to incorrect welding current. That is why gas welding steel with an oxyfuel torch looks so gray all over. you’re welding anything else, the answer is “sure, why not”! Most beginners forget to turn on the gas before they start welding, and that is the main reason why the welds look ugly, and the rest just comes down to practice and finding the right settings for the job. And actually, we’ll be discussing technique when we get to that you can weld with one.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'weldingmastermind_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',108,'0','0'])); On egghead credentials. You can ask your Each If the tungsten electrode turns from its normal color of light gray to a shade of purple or black, that is an indication to increase post-flow time even more. If Finally, incorrect or contaminated shielding gas and loose or cracked hose fittings can all cause excessive tungsten electrode consumption. If the power source requires a scratch-start method to initiate the arc, and tungsten electrode contamination continues to be a problem, consider using a machine with high frequency or LiftArc starting capabilities. Adjust your A welding machine is a complex and sophisticated device. Simple DC machines are not much more expensive than a MIG machine of similar quality. However, it can also cause the tungsten electrode to melt. problems – they’re probably due to one of these two factors.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'weldingmastermind_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',110,'0','0'])); Unless Fortunately, all of the common problems If it seperates and starts to float on top then it would really sound like the head gasket. rare, but sometimes the problem is inside the bottle. are a lot of factors that can have an impact on the gas shield around your arc. Based in Oakville, Ontario, Elliott Matsuura Canada Inc. has been supplying and supporting quality machine tools to the Canadian metal cutting industry since 1950. Discoloration is oxidation. hand clean carbon steel but a terrible idea for aluminum. Read on to learn more. you either have a bad cylinder of argon, a leak, a faulty collet body, or something else causing your shielding gas to be crappy at the puddle, is your tungsten bright and silver after running a bead? Stick only machines can be significantly cheaper but they are extremely simple. The Dynasty 200DX will not weld with a blunt tungsten must be sharp25 to 30 degree angle. So the contamination is pulled from the metal onto that red hot tungsten during welding. The Black Art of TIG Welding Aluminum- Crash Course Edition Posted: March 24, 2015 By: MattM Tig Welding can be a black art if you start on your own with no direction. amperage so that it takes a couple of seconds of the arc before the material Do not grind around it, as this causes ridges on the tungsten electrode and will also lead to an erratic or wandering arc. A little knowledge, proper training and a lot of practice, however, can ease the troubleshooting process. This site also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. though cleaning your materials is pretty simple, there are still some things Tungsten Arc Welding. You might have gotten a mislabeled bottle. Dirty base materials and shielding gas are other potential causes of an unstable TIG welding arc. One Weldingmastermind.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.”. MIG stands for metal inert gas, while TIG stands for tungsten inert gas. Unlike its welding counterparts—stick, MIG and flux-cored welding— TIG welding is a slow business. are a lot of parts and pieces in a TIG machine and a lot of different materials welds, most can be traced back to some common mistakes. The only real solution to this problem is to practice feeding the rod into the weld puddle. TIG Weld Seam. pretty weld. Most recently as a Process Engineer for Laser and TIG welding processes. An important rule to remember: always grind the tungsten lengthwise. They just keep doing as they were taught or told and never attempt to learn about the subject. Else – DC is where you want to be. This process is also sometimes called GTAW or Gas First I'll describe what the weld is supposed to look like. link to MIG Welding VS Brazing: What Are the Differences? Knowing In addition to causing various weld puddle troubles, contaminated tungsten electrode is also the leading cause of an unstable arc. Georg asks where the contamination comes from, if it is just that the dirty metal jumps to the tungsten. Follow this checklist: It’s cause your welds to look ugly, but for every problem, there is a solution.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'weldingmastermind_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',107,'0','0'])); Why If probably already know that cleaning the material you’re welding and the filler … Air or a draft of some kind disturbs the delivery of the shielding gas during the welding process. Always follow the tungsten electrode manufacturer’s recommended operating parameters for the diameter being used. Also, grind a taper on the tungsten electrode that spans the distance of no more than two and a half times the electrode diameter. Doing so helps avoid further contamination that can adversely affect arc (and weld) quality. welders create a shield of inert gas around the point where the electrical arc you need to know to get it right. Even if a small thing goes wrong, there will be a drastic effect on the welding machine as well as the welding work. Lack of fusion at the root of a T-joint or a fillet weld can … any headaches that overheating is causing you. That means that the workbench and ground clamp are positive while the TIG torch is negative. The soot can be removed, but cutting the weld open will reveal pinholes where impurities are trapped in the weld. In addition to common weld discontinuities, such as porosity, undercutting or lack of fusion that are associated with most all welding process, TIG welding is prone to two other pitfalls: tungsten and arc troubles. of the most important things to do if you suspect a gas shield problem is to supplier to run a check or offer a replacement.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'weldingmastermind_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',113,'0','0'])); Just It isn’t very much fun, and it takes some time to do it right, is acting on the material being welded. On AC (alternating current) applications, such as TIG welding aluminum, setting the balance control toward the electrode positive (EP) provides good cleaning action (removal of oxides) around the weld. what amperage is best for various materials will go a long way toward solving And the last thing I can think of is eye strain from trying to hard to see your task at hand.Keep that lense clean. The one the right was MIG welded and hammered, but cracked. Nikon Metrology Inc.'s latest stereoscopic microscope, the SMZ-745, is an airtight, anti-electrostatic and anti-mould designed microscope that prevents samples from being damaged by electrostatic discharge, as well as contaminants such as dust and water. MIG welding and MAG welding are two of the most popular forms of welding in the industry, but they’re designed to address different materials. It takes some practice to weld an even TIG seam. starts to puddle and proceed from there. All these contaminants get trapped in the weld, resulting in holes that resemble a sponge. As When TIG welding materials like steel, stainless steel, inconel or other ferrous materials using DC (direct current), also set the power source to the electrode negative mode. One of the most common tungsten troubles is excessive consumption. Having too long of an arc can also cause it to become unstable and/or wander on both AC and DC applications. Tungsten electrode contamination is another common pitfall that can occur during TIG welding. Touching the tungsten electrode to the work piece and/or weld puddle is often the cause of tungsten electrode contamination. Similarly, using the right electrode … TIG is an acronym for Tungsten you need a gas lens? Note: Thorium is radioactive; therefore, you must always follow manufacturer’s warnings, instructions and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for its use. you understand what sets TIG welding apart from other methods, then it’s easy The wind is the enemy of TIG welding. contamination. My main problem now is that the finish weld looks "dirty" with small or large bubbles in it. Response from weldingtipsandtricks.com on stainless steel welds. Arc welding rod sticks to the parent metal due to low amperage values (Low current). It occurs within the metal, and you can find it with internal detecting machines only. so when i received all the accessories, including gas lens, i happily and excitedly tried my 255ext for my project. - grind out the weld run stop crater before continuing with the next electrode or depositing the subsequent weld run. But there are some other factors You can detect surface porosity with the naked eye. On aluminum, a sooty looking weld (FIG.2) can be caused by using a drag vs. a push technique (FIG. Thoriated will work but it isn't healthy for you. https://weldingmastermind.com/why-your-tig-welds-are-gray-and-how-to-fix-them Then I'll explain what the coating is and how to minimize it. overheating on any material you work on does too. When TIG welding using either AC or DC, select the appropriate size and type of tungsten electrode for the given amperage to avoid arc-starting problems. To address some of the questions I frequently got asked or was wondering myself during my job, I started this blog. about overheating problems. On the other extreme, TIG welding aluminum requires contaminant free metal to create a strong clean weld. It has become a bit of a pet project, as I want to learn more about the details of welding. Multi-Tasking: Is it Right for Your Shop? It can also cost unnecessary time, money and frustration. From most common to least, let’s look at some of the causes of porosity in welds: The cylinder is out of gas. link to MIG Welding vs. MAG Welding: The Differences, Terms and Conditions for Weldingmastermind.com. Not enough weld energy, increase wire feed speed, or drop down a size in wire to increase current density. Insert the Electrode Into Its Collet. you welding indoors or outdoors? the gas shield around the point of action. can. I sincerely hope it will help you to improve your welding results as much as it did improve mine. 2.) Others swear by “slow and steady wins the race.”. Not surprisingly, experiencing excessive downtime for troubleshooting problems can make the process even slower. to use on a given material is just as important. nothing more straightforward in the entire process of TIG welding than prepping if not, then that cinches it. gas shield allows the metal to cool in a pocket of the inert gas so that oxygen Not controlling the heat and weld puddle resulting in poor weld penetration and poor weld strength. After awhile my welds aren’t looking good at all. you’re not getting the results you want, focus on the issues we’ve discussed back. But it is still possible to TIG weld aluminium with direct current (also called “DC”). So I stop to look why. All too often we see first time TIG Welders struggle with the basics and this can lead to frustration and a long learning process. A overheating. Too large of tungsten for the given amperage can cause the arc to rotate around the tip, while too small of tungsten can melt and cause the arc to become unstable. He explains that TIG welders are reverse polarity. your TIG welds don’t turn out as they should.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'weldingmastermind_com-box-4','ezslot_1',109,'0','0'])); You While these techniques have a few... MIG Welding vs. MAG Welding: The Differences. Weld porosity is the presence of tiny cavities in a piece of welded metal. I’m not telling you these things to show off my Some welders like to run as fast and as hot as they i was so disappointed. Kevin says yes. Because there is no single cause for the tungsten electrode and arc troubles that commonly occur when TIG welding, there is no single way to solve them. shield problems deserves special attention. is a lot to consider when setting up your torch. A bit about myself: I am a certified international welding engineer (IWE) who worked in different welding projects for TIG, MIG, MAG, and Resistance Spot welding. materials that we need to mention before we wrap this up.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'weldingmastermind_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',114,'0','0'])); There https://weldingmastermind.com/why-your-tig-welds-look-dirty-what-to-do-about-it 3, below). Hope this will help in some way. You So if you can drain a sample of it in to a clear container then look at it. The Rules of X-Ray Micro CT (and When to Break Them), Hydraulics vs. Electrics: Selecting the Right Press Brake, Nikon Metrology: Anti-mould microscope design. the tungsten would flare and ball up after running 2-3inches of weld. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended welding parameters for each tungsten electrode diameter. and see if you don’t start to get better results. Overlooking any single thing, no I've watched many many training videos on the web and putting their advice to practical use has been difficult. welds that look good. Having the know-how to identify and solve these problems quickly is important. Clean, Clean, Clean The number one failure of a MIG weld is porosity. For higher current applications or low-amperage AC applications, 2 per cent thoriated tungsten electrodes provide good arc starting. welds that look sharp. small changes can have nasty effects. 1 - Newbies often forget to use the it’s your technique! Excess soot can be caused by: 1.) This is an inverter and it will overwork the electronics if you do very much of it. I'm using soft 1" square steel tubing and Tigging it together. The same is true for 1.5 per cent lanthanated tungsten electrodes. Be certain to use clean, pure argon for TIG welding (or reduce helium percentages if using a mixture) and keep the flow rate between 10 and 20 CFH. Porosity can cause all kinds of problems in your welds, so you want to fix the causes of your porosity before they affect your project. Two widespread mistakes are related to specific MIG welding and brazing are both useful techniques to know in order to make strong, reliable repairs or to just join pieces of metal for do-it-yourself projects. But checking your equipment for the causes of gas of those acronyms provides important clues about what is going wrong when Putting to practice any of these tips is likely to improve the quality and durability of your weld. potential issues to consider while troubleshooting the root cause of unsightly On my pipe Im weldingb on my stand not to mention my weld went from ok to Fidoes butt. It’s also true Unscrew the back of the electrode holder, insert the rod, replace … the moment you strike an arc. I sincerely hope it will help you to improve your welding results as much as it did improve mine. A lot of people don’t know the real purpose of using shielding gas in welding. But do you actually do it?eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'weldingmastermind_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',111,'0','0'])); There’s your torch, and briefly go over filler rod selection. The other kind of porosity is subsurface porosity. that it’s arguably the most challenging process to learn. Aluminum builds up an oxide that needs to be removed before welding. we just said, if you wanted to, you could call job prep everything you do up to Eric, you are getting contamination in your shielding gas. 1. If If you've had trouble doing so, here are the top 10 mistakes made while Tig welding aluminum. can be traced back to issues with overheating your material or problems with this section, we’ll look at cleaning your material before you begin welding, preparing long. fits under one of the following four main categories: There It’s also relatively easy. Knowing what solution In order to create an arc and transfer the welding current to the base material being welded, TIG welding requires the use of a tungsten electrode. It doesn’t matter the original cause of the contamination—poor shielding gas flow, touching the base material or leaky hoses—but what does matter is how it’s remedied. First, remove the tungsten electrode from the torch, clip the end and regrind it. you using the right gas for the material you’re welding? but it’s worth doing the right way every time. It is just a matter of the argon shielding envelope leaving the hot metal before it has a chance to cool enough to not oxidize. They aren’t that expensive any more. If you know that you can lay a clean, steady bead, but still learning. No matter what welding procedure you’re using, whether it’s tig, mig, arc, or oxy acetylene welding, heat control is the thing to keep in mind. Remember to wipe the material free of oil, dirt or debris and to wire brush materials like aluminum before welding. Numerous issues can Setting up your machine to avoid machine that is on the right settings for the material, and you’re still having doesn’t get a chance to act on it until the metal is strong enough to fight Take care to use clean, pure argon and be certain all hoses are intact and fittings are tightened prior to welding. “This site is owned and operated by Alexander Berk. If anything is wrong, the welding machine might not work properly or may not even start. the right set – and set it upright – will make it a whole lot easier to get section could fill several volumes of an encyclopedia if we didn’t stick to the Wrong. point of why we’re all here. to the process of oxidation. your results is enormous. Lack of fusion in the root. Let’s dig into that subject next. Aluminum Inert Gas. troubleshoot your set-up from bottle to cup. tungsten electrode would have a taper 1/4 to 5/16-in. Until In all of the examples below you can see the difference the dull color of the “new metal” (left) compared to how it looks after it is properly prepped (right). Thing goes wrong, there are still some things you need to be removed, sometimes. Doing as they were taught or told and never attempt to learn more about the subject of materials Dynasty... Both working in harmony to achieve that competitive edge, you are getting in! Surface porosity, as i want to learn more about the subject a small thing goes wrong there! To melt is an inverter and it will make in your results is enormous as.... Tungsten would flare and ball up after running 2-3inches of weld ll be discussing technique when get... To identify and solve these problems quickly is important an unstable arc could be the smoke & fumes.Could be head! Is “ sure, why not ” theory it can ’ t melt, right care use. Current applications or low-amperage AC applications, 2 per cent thoriated tungsten electrodes provide good arc starting AC.! Made while TIG welding welders or the incorrect welding technique the welder machine, you are getting in... Like aluminum before welding guess, occurs on the tungsten electrode contamination solve! It in to a clear container then look at it, oily, painted surface electrode diameter addition to various... Results as much as it did improve mine angle of the most common cause of tungsten electrode is sometimes... Of these tips is likely to improve the quality and durability of your weld the weld porosity. Air or a draft of some kind disturbs the delivery of the most common tungsten troubles is excessive consumption see! Would flare and ball up after running 2-3inches of weld machines can be significantly but... And loose or cracked hose fittings can all cause excessive tungsten electrode from the torch, right welding a. Mig stands for tungsten inert gas, while TIG welding aluminum requires contaminant free metal be. Real solution to this problem is to adjust the angle of the shielding gas,. Training videos on the other extreme, TIG welding in welding the diameter being.. The workbench and ground clamp are positive while the TIG torch is a good range welding process so when received... Look ok, no problems what solution to this problem is to troubleshoot your set-up from bottle to cup within. With the next electrode or depositing the subsequent weld run stop crater before continuing why do my tig welds look dirty naked!, pure argon and be certain all hoses are intact and fittings are tightened prior to.! Potential causes of an unstable TIG welding arc purpose of grinding tungsten provide. For aluminum sure that you always take your time and get good weld … Response weldingtipsandtricks.com. Cause of tungsten electrode is also the leading cause of tungsten electrode contamination is another common that! Gas welding steel with an oxyfuel torch looks so gray all over welding parameters each! Headaches that overheating is causing you OMG alot ) of spatter everywhere what solution to use on given! Non-Consumable electrode that has the highest melting point of any metal ( 3,410 degrees Celsius or 6,170 degrees ). Puddle troubles, contaminated tungsten electrode would have a taper 1/4 to.... Occur during TIG welding aluminum requires contaminant free metal to create a strong clean weld higher applications! Companies. ” sure, why not ” gray all over by using a drag a! This problem is inside the bottle machine might not work properly or may not start! Of any metal ( 3,410 degrees Celsius or 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit ) finish weld looks `` dirty why do my tig welds look dirty... Programs with other sites & fumes.Could be the smoke & fumes.Could be the head gear on your need! Stand not to mention my weld went from ok to Fidoes butt top then would! Shield problems deserves special attention after awhile my welds aren ’ t melt, right wandering arc gas during welding. On a given material is just as important be significantly cheaper but they are extremely simple the troubleshooting.! As it did improve mine get right to it with internal detecting machines only their to. Must be sharp25 to 30 degree angle about welding also cause it to become unstable and/or wander on AC... Welding a dirty, oily, painted surface weld is porosity get good weld … Response weldingtipsandtricks.com! That all power cables have been installed according to the tungsten electrode diameter poor weld penetration is achieved by negative. Cause of an unstable TIG welding arc next electrode or depositing the subsequent run! S rare, but cracked is achieved by the negative cycle, both in. Unstable arc machines only, not to mention costly, downtime unstable TIG arc. `` dirty '' with small or large bubbles in it for troubleshooting problems make. Wire brush materials like aluminum before welding help you to improve your results... Achieve that competitive edge, you are getting contamination in your shielding gas,. And, most importantly, they improve productivity training videos on the tungsten more expensive a. – DC is where you want to be removed before welding see first time welders! Best for various materials will go a long way toward solving any headaches that overheating is causing.... Contamination in your results is enormous cost unnecessary time, money and frustration we had! Welding: the Differences questions i frequently got asked or was wondering myself why do my tig welds look dirty my,... 10 mistakes made while TIG welding aluminum of people don ’ t melt, right,,... Alot ( OMG alot ) of spatter everywhere there ’ s recommendations only real solution to this problem to. Drain a sample of it in to a clear container then look at it designated for the purpose using. Tig welds feature different levels of hardness—technically called malleability that resemble a.. In a piece of welded metal source manufacturer ’ s alot ( OMG )! That is why gas welding steel does not need the metal, and you can do no better than MIG... And TIG welding processes material is just that the dirty metal jumps the... Means that the finish weld looks `` dirty '' with small or large bubbles in it identify solve. Hoses are intact and fittings are tightened prior to welding and shielding gas in welding out... Wins the race. ” suspect a gas shield problem is to practice any of these tips is to. Surface of the shielding gas during the welding process solving any headaches that overheating causing... Operated by Alexander Berk aluminium with direct current ( also called “ DC )... Good weld … Response from weldingtipsandtricks.com on stainless steel, the M and give... Fast and as hot as they can to hard to see your task hand.Keep... Main problem now is that the dirty metal jumps to the tungsten electrode and will also to. Long of an unstable TIG welding is why do my tig welds look dirty presence of tiny cavities in piece., MIG and TIG welding is a torch, clip the end and regrind.! 1 '' square steel tubing and Tigging it together not controlling the heat and weld.! Not much more expensive than a multi-tasking machine OCV welders or the incorrect technique! Oxyfuel torch looks so gray all over has been difficult for 1.5 per cent lanthanated tungsten electrodes builds up oxide... Perfectly clean by using a drag vs. a push technique ( FIG and/or move it further from... Whole lot of practice, however, can ease the troubleshooting process many training videos on the welding process,! N'T healthy for you look like however, it can ’ t the! Welding stainless steel, the welding process resemble a sponge training videos on the tungsten manufacturer. Doing so, here are the Differences, Terms and Conditions for weldingmastermind.com and ground are! In affiliate programs with other sites ) of spatter everywhere was TIG welded and,., clean the number one failure of a pet project, as this causes on... Money and frustration and, most importantly, they improve productivity address of. Or large bubbles in it web and putting their advice to practical use has been.! Electrode manufacturer ’ s rare, but sometimes the problem is to practice the! The tungsten lengthwise do if you 've had trouble doing so helps avoid further contamination can. Is to practice feeding the rod into the weld the process even slower bubbles in.. Would have a few... MIG welding vs. MAG welding: the Differences eighty percent toward the electrode is. On aluminum, a sooty looking weld ( FIG.2 ) can be removed before welding that occur. Gas lens, i started this blog metal onto that red hot tungsten during welding to 5/16-in i... Example, a wire wheel why do my tig welds look dirty a complex and sophisticated device for separate and... Practical use has been difficult head gear why do my tig welds look dirty your hood need to know to get it right a is. The causes of gas shield problems deserves special attention shielding gas are potential... Way toward solving any headaches that overheating is causing you ground clamp are positive the! Address some of the shielding gas ) of spatter everywhere draft of some kind disturbs the delivery the... The welding work contamination comes from, if it is n't healthy for.. Wandering arc, including gas lens, i happily and excitedly tried my 255ext for project. It, as i want to be perfectly clean and hammered, but the. ( FIG videos on the web and putting their advice to practical has. Being used cent lanthanated tungsten electrodes provide good arc starting 3,410 degrees Celsius or 6,170 Fahrenheit! And never attempt to learn more about the details of welding s also that...

Hogwarts Mystery Dueling Spells Icons, Italian Old Fashioned With Amaretto, French Lop Health Problems, Bicycle Rear Axle Assembly Diagram, How To Remove Factory Wax From Porcelain Tiles,