Well my TIG welding just took a huge step up.  I have been working on it and working on it.  Sometimes I was convinced that I just had  bad metal sometimes I  was just convinced I was an idiot  Always with the bubbling and boiling  that always   gets diagnosed as dirt. 

 I know I clean as well as any factory does.

I tried a gas lens  that helped.  Didn't solve it though

I was listening to a video by some guy somewhere and he said almost  inaudibly "use straight Argon"

Hmmm   I'd been using  the recommended 80% Argon  mix  not straight argon

OK  Well I was about out so  a trip to the weld shop was in order and this time I I got  straight Argon.

Cheap  $35.00

I dropped a dirty coupon that had been laying about with a little rust  various dirt and some  mill scale too. 

OK  crank it up turn the gas on  and strike an arc.

Welds like Buttah~!!!!!!!!  No boiling  no spitting  nice little semicircles

Finally~!!!!!!!!   It was just the gas.  DON'T USE 80%.  Use 100%

Glad you found the secret, Cliff. I don't weld so, I don't know but, why do the sell the 80% stuff? For some other kind of welding?

thanks for the heads up...

Well, there you go!

Cliff, I haven't struck an arc in over 15 years. For TIG welding 100% argon works fine on steel. I always used a combination of argon and helium for steels and stainless steels. If you're working with thicker materials, the helium ionizes the arc at its point and causes a more fluid  puddle for deeper penetration in the material.For electric current your machine should be set on DC straight polarity. For welding Aluminum, you need to use AC current along with High Frequency. With TIG welding , your technique is important and keep your gas flow so that it doesn't agitate the moulten puddle.

I served a 4 year apprenticeship at the Portsmouth Navy Yard and spent another 14 years there as a pipe welder on submarines.Spent my later years as a fabricator in a factory that produces air handlers for industry, supermarkets ,hospitals, ships etc.. Mostly aluminum  or stainless there.

 

Edited February 21, 20188 yr by It Was Al B

For mig welding I use 75 argon and 25%  co2.

26 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

For mig welding I use 75 argon and 25%  co2.

Actually, you can use CO2 only, for MIG welding steel, but it produces a less flat bead with a lot more spatter. I prefer the argon mix but have welded  using both methods with good results.  Guess it depends on who is paying the bill for the gas.

 

Edited February 22, 20188 yr by It Was Al B

3 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

For mig welding I use 75 argon and 25%  co2.

Try 90 /10.  Just try it.  IT's way better for spray arc welding too.

 

7 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

For some other kind of welding?

I guess it's a few pennies cheaper

 

The argon mix for mig welding works fine.  Never had the opportunity to try TIG.  I have a high frequency unit hooked up to my stick welder.  Used it with small rod before I got the MIG.  Should get a torch for it.

I been using 75-25 all these years and would have to re learn and I like the the way it welds with this set up

2 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

I been using 75-25 all these years and would have to re learn and I like the the way it welds with this set up

Jessy, No sense in fixing it if it isn't broken !