Article/Blogs

Common welding issues part 5. TIG: Hard startingTungsten contamination will cause difficult arc starting. A slight dip into the weld pool will cause arc starting difficulties on subsequent starts. Even after welding a while without dipping the tungsten, slight contamination can occur from impurities in the metal causing tiny bits flying bits of metal to bounce back onto the tungsten. This type of contamination is less obvious and more frustrating to figure out as the person welding may not be aware that this is occurring.

Common welding issues Part 4. TIG Welder: Hard StartingOnce work clamp connection and polarity issues have been examined and remedied, it is time to focus on the tungsten type, size and condition. Type is pretty easy to correct as tungsten is color coded. But for inverter machines, pure tungsten and zirconiated tungsten should never be used. Both can cause issues with arc starting. Always use Lanthanated, Thoriated, or Ceriated tungsten if possible for both AC and DC TIG welding work.

Common TIG welding issues Part 3. TIG Welders & Hard StartingThe TIG work clamp should always be placed directly on the work and as close to the weld as possible to prevent arc starting issues.

Common welding issues Part 2. TIG Welding: Hard StartingThe TIG work clamp should always be placed directly on the work and as close to the weld as possible to prevent arc starting issues.

Common welding issues Part 2. TIG Welders: Hard startingIf you’ve TIG welded very long, chances are that you’ve experienced a non start when you placed your foot on the pedal or snapped down the switch. Or you may have at least experienced at least one start where the HF jumped all over the place or maybe didn’t jump anywhere at all. If you haven’t seen this, then consider yourself inexperienced or very, very lucky. These kind of non-starts or difficult starts are usually not the fault of the welder.

When working the technical support lines of Everlast, you never know what type of call you will receive. Sometimes it can be quite bazaar. It might be a customer calling about a machine that doesn’t work that has forgotten to turn the machine on, or it may be a customer who has never welded before expecting miracles the first time out. But one of the more common causes of calls placed to our tech support usually relate to people forgetting the basic things you need to have in place to make a sound weld.

Plasma cutters have many uses, pushing it's capability.I’ve often gotten calls from scientists, researches, inventors etc. all wanting a plasma cutter for some “off label” use or application. Admittedly some of them are quite strange. One the other day wanted to know if our plasma would be able to be used in a vacuum and power some sort of electrode. Most of the time its above my head and paygrade. But I listen and try to grasp what they are saying.

Which TIG torch is best for me? Part 2

In part 1 we discussed the new TIG torch product line we offer.

Buying a TIG torch? Which one is best for you?People are often confused about which TIG torch they should buy when they buy an Everlast TIG torch. Quite a few people think that we are still supplying the old, clumsy torches with the units. No, on the contrary, we’ve improved the quality, look and feel of the torches that we provide with the units. The best thing we’ve done is to offer newer, more flexible hoses on our units. We do still continue to try to match up the amperage of the unit to the torches amperage.

Portable welding with an inverter welder.