Beginner With DC TIG

[ryeguy2006a]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I'll pick up some acetone and do a better job of cleaning the metal before I weld. I'll turn down the amps a bit and try to work faster. I also picked up a gas lens kit with some larger cups.

Srode, I'm using 309 filler wire which is good for welding mild steel to stainless. I want to get lots of practice in so that when I'm ready I can do a good job welding the 304 SS fuel pump ring from vaporworx to a fuel pump recess panel I made to go in my stock tank.

[Olds.PhD]

Are you not using a foot pedal? You control the amount of heat if you do.

I have had to use a basic finger trigger switch quite a bit fitting into tight spots, which doesn’t allow you to control heat other than amp setting and speed. Maybe you’re using one of those instead? I found a variable control finger trigger, but they’re a bit too expensive for my limited use at the moment.

[ryeguy2006a]

I'm using the foot pedal, I'm just not great at knowing when to back off after I get the pool started

[Olds.PhD]

One drill I’ve done is to ignore the filler and just focus on keeping your puddle width consistent. That’ll work on your skill controlling heat. Then add filler once you’ve mastered that. Worth a shot. There are a ton of drills available online.

[Sinnister69]

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[ryeguy2006a]

I've been watching a bunch of videos over the last few weeks. Trying to balance watching the videos and getting real seat time with my machine. I've been practicing on stainless and trying to understand how I can get better, and I think I've done a decent job of the last few welds. Like the comments before said, I had too much heat in the metal, and needed to up my travel speed. I also found that I needed to increase my post flow. The combination of those two seemed to make my heat affected zone much smaller. Aside from my inconsistent feed hand, I think they are looking much better.

The first three were when I was playing with my travel speed after I adjusted the post flow.







I ran out of good coupons and found a piece of 1/8" 304 plate that I had, and started with that. I was able to move much more quickly and think I did an ok job with my filler. But again, love some feedback.



Thanks,
Ryan

[srode]

I think you could do technique practice work with cold rolled steel coupons much less expensively. Not sure there's much to be gained practicing on stainless, but could be wrong - My Tig work isn't pretty but it's sturdy.

[ryeguy2006a]

The reason for welding on the stainless first was to practice before I welded the 304 SS fuel pump ring to my mild steel fuel tank. It would definitely be cheaper to practice on Mild steel haha