I went in for another 10 minutes today for another round with the 325EXT.
Grabbed a piece of mild steel metal from the scrap bin, ground it to a shiny finish and let it rip!
Parameters;HF Tig Start. Normal set-up, DC, Pedal, Pulse OFF
PreFlow .5, start 10A, up & down slope 0, 130A, end 10A, Post-Flow 6 sec
Top right hand bead, too cold. middle bead upped to 150A - getting closer
SOMETHING STILL WAS NOT RIGHT!
The stickout looked like it had changed. With the back cap tight, I could still slide the Tungsten in and out with little resistance, CRAP!
Changed to a CK collet instead of the "one hung rice" and everything got tight!
Third try, lowest bead, upped 325 to 160A, I measured the metal and it is .187, NO Wonder!
Anyway, first tig beads I have run in 20 months!!!!!!
There is still a problem; notice the brown ring around the middle and bottom weld?
Either the metal has oil soaked in?
The Argon gas has been sitting for 3-4 years on that tank and it only has 1000 psi in the tank, might be WONKY!
The Chinese Tungsten is POS!
Had on 2 pair of mirrored sunglasses instead of a helmet and squinted, don't tell anybody!
Anyway, the 325EXT is pretty sporty so far!
I'll try alittle AL in about 30 MIN.