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  1. #1

    Default Brown dust on side of steel TIG weld

    Greets

    Sorry for the newbie questions again but what do you think is causing this brown discoloration/dust? I have the 210 set up on DCEN and have tried low-high Ar (100%) gas flow. I have 3 sec of pre flow and 5 sec of post flow. The discoloration seems to track the angle of the TIG torch. i.e. the contamination is mostly in the direction of the gas flow. I was using a 3/32" 1.5% lanthanated electrode. Amps were set at 50. I did grind the metal but didn't wash it down with acetone. I'll get some acetone tomorrow.

    The plasma looked OK/stable but I have zero experience with TIG welding so I can only compare to what I've seen on videos.

    Attachment 10528

    I'm SURE there are other issues with the set up but I thought I'd start with this funky contamination issue. Bad gas or bad setup/operator???

    cheers
    JohnG
    imig 200
    PowerTig 210 EXT

  2. #2

    Default

    Looks like poor gas coverage. You need totally clean metal with no breeze or drafts and proper torch angle. Turn your preflow down to less than 1 second and the post flow up to around 7. A picture of the torch setup would also help.
    What was your gas flow setting ?
    2013 250EX : SSC Pedal : I-MIG 250P 20' Profax gun : Power Plasma 60 p80 torch : 3M Speedglas 9100XX : Evolution Rage 3 DB cold saw

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by zoama585 View Post
    Looks like poor gas coverage. You need totally clean metal with no breeze or drafts and proper torch angle. Turn your preflow down to less than 1 second and the post flow up to around 7. A picture of the torch setup would also help.
    What was your gas flow setting ?
    I ran the Ar from 5-20 LPM. Didn't seem to make any difference.

    Here are a couple pics of the setup. The tungsten electrode has some blackish "hair" on it.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    regards
    JohnG
    imig 200
    PowerTig 210 EXT

  4. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnymg View Post
    I ran the Ar from 5-20 LPM. Didn't seem to make any difference.

    Here are a couple pics of the setup. The tungsten electrode has some blackish "hair" on it.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    By any chance, did you touch the molten puddle with the tungsten? You would see a greenish flash and get results that look like that. You need to grind your tungsten clean after any steel contamination.
    Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rambozo View Post
    By any chance, did you touch the molten puddle with the tungsten? You would see a greenish flash and get results that look like that. You need to grind your tungsten clean after any steel contamination.
    Yes, I the tungsten did touch once. I'll give this another try Tues afternoon after I get some acetone. Besides the tungsten getting contaminated, is it possible the gas could also be contaminated? Seems like I was getting this funky "soot" before the tungsten contact.

    regards
    JohnG
    imig 200
    PowerTig 210 EXT

  6. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnymg View Post
    Yes, I the tungsten did touch once. I'll give this another try Tues afternoon after I get some acetone. Besides the tungsten getting contaminated, is it possible the gas could also be contaminated? Seems like I was getting this funky "soot" before the tungsten contact.
    Anything is possible, but it is pretty rare to get bad gas. First I would check over your torch for air leaks, especially around the back cap o-ring. That can suck air into your argon stream. TIG does take some practice. Acetone is kinda over the top for steel, but if you are not sure about any oil or grease it can't hurt to wipe it down. Remember to re grind your tungsten any time you contaminate it. Also keep your torch angle as close to 90° as you can. Also hold the torch still at the end of the weld while the post flow is going, to shield the end of the weld while it cools.
    Long arc, short arc, heliarc and in-the-dark!

  7. #7

    Default

    I use a "gas lens" on mine most of teh time. It has a screen diffuser inside to increase gas coverage.
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  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by sportbike View Post
    I use a "gas lens" on mine most of teh time. It has a screen diffuser inside to increase gas coverage.
    From what I've read that's a good way to minimize gas turbulence. I'm in the process of collecting parts for a CK water cooled torch with the "gas saver" screen diffuser.

    Here's a pic of the pyrex cup with the screen diffuser installed.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    cheers
    JohnG
    imig 200
    PowerTig 210 EXT

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnymg View Post
    From what I've read that's a good way to minimize gas turbulence. I'm in the process of collecting parts for a CK water cooled torch with the "gas saver" screen diffuser.
    Those Pyrex cups sure are sexy, but man they're not cheap. Whatever you do, don't accidentally pull your torch's lead and knock it on the floor and break the cup. Oops.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by joshuab View Post
    Those Pyrex cups sure are sexy, but man they're not cheap. Whatever you do, don't accidentally pull your torch's lead and knock it on the floor and break the cup. Oops.
    Indeed, thanks for the reminder on dropping the torch off the workbench.

    I will say it was a real "aha" moment when the arc was stable and I could see the puddle as I moved the torch about. Perhaps 'no big deal' for you vets but after struggling for a while a real cool sight for this TIG newbie.

    cheers
    JohnG
    imig 200
    PowerTig 210 EXT

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