Cliff Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 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% Cal, HARO50, Stick486 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 thanks for the heads up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well, there you go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) 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, 2018 by It Was Al B Cal, Grandpadave52, p_toad and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallpatch Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 For mig welding I use 75 argon and 25% co2. Cal and Al B 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) 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, 2018 by It Was Al B Cal and Grandpadave52 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted February 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted February 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 7 hours ago, Gene Howe said: For some other kind of welding? I guess it's a few pennies cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallpatch Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 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 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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