Matt@RFR... Mr Welder, Sir....

[BB69]

Mark,
Can you post a link to the Mott class? I live in Groveland Twp, about 15 minutes from there. I had no idea there was a Mott extension that close to me. What is the title of the class?

Right now, I am thinking about signing up for the basic fabrication class at WCC next term. I am going to talk with the instructor tomorrow about that. Basically, they have you make a toolbox out of sheet, and then you have the rest of the term to complete your own projects. Since I am having such a hard time finding the right EFI manifold for the Vette, and I can't see giving Hogan's $2500, I am thinking about trying to make my own.



Ken

[astroracer]

You have a PM Ken...

[astroracer]

The Tig class went very well Saturday! I picked up the two fisted welding very quickly (about 20 minutes actual welding time) and Greg (the instructor) said I would be very proficient after a couple of hours of practice... I was very impressed with the Tig welding. Clean, no sparks, beautiful beads!!!! Even with no experience I ran some nice looking beads. They may not have been straight because I was learning to read the puddle, but they looked good! Greg said quality and consistancy will come with practice so I need to get my Airco fired up with a foot pedal and better torch. I am talking to Flint Welding about that and they are looking into it for me. One of their repairmen is a welder wiz, I guess, and he thinks he can get me hooked up...
I talked to Matt@Lateral Dynamics Sat. afternoon also. Thanks Matt! I appreciate the time you took to talk to me! How's the back?
Matt reinforced some of the things I was doing and thinking about during the class and answered a BUNCH of questions! Great guy! We are fortunate to have him here!
If anyone in my area would like to get together and have a few welding classes, PM me. Greg said he would be happy to do it. He charges $50 bucks an hour although he was at my place for nearly four hours Saturday and didn't charge me for them!
If you can't tell by now I had a pretty good weekend!
Mark

[astroracer]

I got a call from Greg the welder last night to tell me he has a line on a demo Lincoln TIg welder. It's a Precision TIg 185 with the Ready Pak, cart and full compliment of equipment.

This is the exact machine I have been drooling over all week. Excellant price also with a three year warranty and full tech support! I talked to my wife last night and she gave me the go-ahead so I'll be calling on it this morning.
Is there any input or advice on these machines? I am just breaking into the world of TIg so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Mark

[wendell]

it's the wrong color. Other than that it's a great machine that you'll enjoy for long time. I think it's JP's weapon of choice. You might want to set up a chiller. If not for the increased capacity then for the smaller torch. Enjoy it!

[astroracer]

I've had the Tig for almost two weeks now but didn't get it fired up until last Thursday. I have run a few feet of practice beads now and Saturday I actually made a couple of usable items.
Here is a pic of the new toy...

This is a shot of a couple of practice beads.

Don't beat me up too badly, I am still learning to watch the puddle AND the weld seam AND the filler rod AND keep the foot peddle consistant. There is a lot going on during a weld but I think I am getting the hang of it. A couple more hours of practice and I think I will be comfortable. I need to get some practice on tubing though so I will start cutting up the old cradle this week for practice material.
Here is a hose/cable hanger I made from some scrap rod I had on hand.

It might be kinda hard to see so I'll get some pics of it in use on the argon bottle tonite. I painted it red so it looks finished.

Here is a couple of pics of welds I did on a chair chassis I built Saturday also. Some trash picked bed frame welded up to fit under my welding chair.


I have about two hours worth of practice under my belt and I know I have a lot to learn but I don't think the welds look to bad. I have had some guidance and your guys input would be appreciated.
Mark

[Matt@RFR]

I don't have much time, but your filler is way too big. Try .045". Your welds should not be dull grey like they are. They need to have some sheen to them. Dull grey = crystalization and way too much grain growth.

[astroracer]

Thanks Matt,
I was using .063 filler rod. That's all I have right now. The practice beads were done on 1/8th inch stock at about 145 amps and the chair frame is .090 and I was running at 125 amps max.
So I need to go smaller on the filler rod? What do you use for .095 wall tubing? That is what I will be using when I rebuild the cradle. Cfh on the gas is set at around 13-14 and I was using a gas lense with a 1/16th 2% tungsten.
Thanks
Mark

[Matt@RFR]

Mark, looking at the top bead in your first picture, I'm surprised to see you're using 1/16" filler. The wobbliness of the weld is classic of using filler that's too big.

First, get that mill scale off of your steel! Even for practice pieces, it'll screw you up.

Second, you're too hot. The "1 amp per .001" thickness" applies to aluminum. For 1/8" steel, try 80-90 amps, and for the .090", try about 60-70 amps.

You will definetely want .045" filler for your cradle. Flow is good where you have it, and you could try a .040" tungsten on the .090" stuff.

[Madspeed]

Hey Matt you said the grey is crystalization. Can you be more descriptive?
I have a lincoln precision tig 275
And i am workin with 120 wall chromolly tube atm, Im using small rod and a 1/16th ? tung @ 2% and about 95 to 99 amps ( I forget what the small size is) get awsome shinny tacks but when i go to weld the whole thing I tend to get a grey color in the bead and as best I can explain sometimes the bead looks like this * Like crystaline and grey
Some welds look UBER clean and shinny
I have thought it was a clean issue
I use an abrasive chop saw to cut the tube ( I am thinking its the dust inside thue tube from the cut)
I clean the other tube ith abrasive discs and my filler rod with a lintfree rag and brake cleaner (maybeee im wrong there)

I allso notice what would look like a glazed dot on som of the welds allmost like a black dot of glass ( I have a real good feeling its the abrasives actually turning to glass)
and yes I have the polarity correct =)
I can take pics if you like and pst tomorrow night

thanksin advance Ken F


I like to think I know it all but I dont so thats why I am here =)

[Matt@RFR]

Ken, pictures would certainly help, but I'm willing to bet you allready have half the answer. Clean the tubing inside and out with something other than brake cleaner. Acetone, Simple Green, rubbing alcohol, laquer thinner, etc.

The second half of your answer is most likely gas coverage. If your tacks are shiny but your weld isn't, gas coverage is by far the most likely culprit. You can either be flowing too much or too little (tell us your cup size (!), flow rate, and whether you're using a gas lens or standard collet), or your travel angle might be all messed up (easy to do on small tube like this), letting the filler get out of the gas shield, post flow too short, taking the torch away before post flow stops, etc. Just try to be as specific as you can when you reply and I'm sure the answer will come out.

One last thing, if the tubing you're working on will be welded air tight, are you drilling a small hole to let pressure escape?

[Madspeed]

Matt I better Unhijack this fellas thread Ill post a new thread