Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for stainless pipe welding with around 1.5mm wall. I keep burning it and getting a greyish weld and have tried different settings, pulses, gas flows, different size filler wire and have no success. Have been using around 35-40amps with the 1.6 filler and 28 amp with even smaller filler.

What size tungsten are you using? 1.6mm? What type of tungsten are you using? Thoriated( Red ) or lanthanated ( Gold )? 0.9mm filler wire? What size shroud? Your amps should be fine, it comes down to speed and gas coverage.

What size tungsten are you using? 1.6mm? What type of tungsten are you using? Thoriated( Red ) or lanthanated ( Gold )? 0.9mm filler wire? What size shroud? Your amps should be fine, it comes down to speed and gas coverage.

Tungsten is 2.4 only because I havent got my 1.6collar yet for this new tig machine and its grey one. Filler used both 0.9 and 1.6 and shroud 9. Ended getting it to work with both sized fillers without burning it anymore found moving alot faster and making post flow time about 10sec and going over the whole bead done helped clean the weld up.

Just trying to figure out some pulse settings so far havnt been able to get any that works well have tried 1 pps , 10-20pps, 30pps and just doesnt seem to feel right.

Try a lower current. I would usually use around 20-25 amps on my machine with no pulse on thin wall stainless like that.

The bead will go black if it's too hot with no gas shield. Are you purging the inside? Best to get the cuts dead flat so there is no gap, then you don't need filler...

when you get your 1.6 mm collet use that with some 0.9 mm filler wire should be alright, same amps 30-40A. wont need to purge inside, unless your doing a weld test that has to pass x-ray. always add filler, not too much but enough so it keeps the finished weld above the material your welding. Thats called reinforcement. critical for a long lasting crack free weld.

  • 2 years later...

bit of a thread dig but here goes anyway, im looking to build an ally tube tray for my new hilux and am looking to pick up a new welder and do it myself.

Ive done a tafe course on stick and mig years ago but havent had stuff all to do with tig.

So what would you recommend to buy? ive got a budget of a few grand.

i saw a combi welder (arc, mig, dc tig) at bunnings today for 1300 or so but figured id do some research before spending up.

cheers, shaun

You need AC if you want to tig aluminium

Also

Don't buy a bunnings welder...In 2 years from now when you need spares/consumables you wont be able to get them....I get this every 2nd day at work

Someone got a "bargain" off ebay or at repco/bunnings etc and they need consumables.

Our answer is "good luck" because you can't buy them.

If you want to TIG aluminium and dont want to spend 5-7k than buy a Unimig 200AC/DC (the new "Razor" version) We sell them everyday for 1600 bucks with a foot control and can get parts just about anywhere.

  • Like 2

You need AC if you want to tig aluminium

Also

Don't buy a bunnings welder...In 2 years from now when you need spares/consumables you wont be able to get them....I get this every 2nd day at work

Someone got a "bargain" off ebay or at repco/bunnings etc and they need consumables.

Our answer is "good luck" because you can't buy them.

If you want to TIG aluminium and dont want to spend 5-7k than buy a Unimig 200AC/DC (the new "Razor" version) We sell them everyday for 1600 bucks with a foot control and can get parts just about anywhere.

cheers that sounds like what im after, where abouts do you work?

Seems like a good place to ask. Also looking for a budget get into TIG ac dc welder.

Anyone had any dealings with Fabgear branded equipment (supagas distrubuted)?

http://www.fabgear.com.au/FabGear/TIG_Welding_Machines_files/200_AC_DC_TIG.pdf

  • 1 month later...

i ended up getting this

IpMPCRVl.jpg

the blokes at the shop(global welding supplies) said its made by unimig, it just doesnt come with the huge pricetag. Its got a 3 year warranty

I also got all the ancillary gear

xDHAfTul.jpg

allthough ill probably pick up some more tungstens and different sized shrouds later on, all i need now is to pick up a bottle of argon, fit a 15A gpo in the garage get a heap of scrap metal and start practicing.

I also picked up a licon auto darkening helmet

1c2oV5Ml.jpg

Ill jump back on with some more pics and probably a fair few questions once i start having a crack :)

  • 1 month later...

i finally got off my ass and got some argon so ive been having a crack at welding this arvo.

i cant seem to get a weld pool going in ally, all im trying at the moment is to run a weld pool down 3mm ally box, im using zircon tungston (grey) 2,4mm with a size 7 shroud. 7l/m gas flow

these are the setting i had, i tried between 100-170 A all with no luck.

ILMrD3sl.jpg

what are some base settings and tips to get me started?

after about an hour of stuffing around i had a crack at mild steel, same shroud and tungsten i just cleaned up and sharpened the tip and put the welder on dc and it worked no dramas.

a bit rough as i was free handing it but this was my first go, 80A welding 1.6mm 25x25 box

Ygno5Pql.jpg

im booked in to do a tafe course but it doesnt start till july, so some beginner tips and settings would be awesome

cheers,

shaun

I'm far from an expert but 2.4 sounds awful big for such light gauge (I'm talking about the rhs). Also looks like you're not using a filler on that weld. Possibly a bit light on with gas flow by the look of the Burning / soot at one end of the weld.

Here is a good start for all your amperage and gas flow requirements.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/calculators/tig_amperage_calculator.php

120ish amps on 3mm aluminium

15cfh and you should be fine

the steel tig weld just looks too hot and you dipped/touched the tungsten halfway thru. Do you have a pedal or switch to control amps?

  • Like 1
  • 3 weeks later...

It is a pity I am out in the boonies so to speak, but as a retired Fabricator and Mechanical Engineer I I think I could offer a lot of tips for general fabrication work in sheet, RHS and Pipe work etc.

I wonder if it would be worth a few of us old blokes banding together and put on a workshop or something similar to try to pass on some our skills and knowledge to the younger ones.


Just a thought

  • 4 weeks later...

Apparently not it would seem,

Anyway the best advice I could give you is , to get a number of scrap bits and practice repeatedly, trying different Current and gas-flow levels and taking note of their effect. You'll likely burn holes and get frustrated BUT you will gradually get the hang of your Welding Unit and get used to the pedal ( heat ) and feed (filler rod) and things will fall into place. Assuming your Welder uses a pedal for on the fly current control.

  • 3 months later...

It really helps if you are proficient at Oxy Acetylene welding if you take up TIG. Anyone that has lots of oxy welding experience already has almost the correct technique for TIG. The filler rod angle, speed of weld, and amperage/pulse etc are all newish but the weld pool, dip and move are all very handy skills.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • This. A 3d wheel alignment is like $120...just take it to the shop. Since theres probably multiple adjustments that need to be made after changing something. Mine has front/rear lower arms, traction rods, tension rods, camber arms, toe arms, front upper arms, hicas kit, sway bars and coilovers. I measure from the edge of the bolt holes on the originals and set the same length on all the adjustable stuff to dial it as close as I could to OEM. Took it straight for alignment; it didnt feel right at all...after alignment, it feels perfect. Similarly i've just changed the springs on another car; and I still needed multiple adjustments to bring it back in spec.
    • A full Veilside kitted JZA80 Supra in Meriken park in Kobe city a few weeks back
    • Its a well known brand in New Zealand; its a rebrand of the Rhino RAV3.  I don't know what the wiring difference *is* between the rev.1 (installed about 15 years ago) and rev.2; but as you say I would think its reasonable that it uses the same immobiliser relay circuits. I had a look but couldnt see a similar harness; but didnt move things around since I didnt want to mess with it   It was one of AVS well known Authorised Installers; I spoke to AVS themselves about it but theyre unsure hence seeking advice more so from the skyline community who are more familiar with the actual car and its wiring. Im in Auckland; but the installer is on the other side of the city so hes very reluctant to come back to even look at it to confirm something isnt connected into the wrong wire.  I dont want to drop the name since they *did* do a really good job for the most part. Everything is very tidy and he fully replaced all the alarm wiring, all the sensors, the wiring to the door motors, installed a switch which was never installed in the first place...really happy with the alarm install itself..just not this one issue. We all make mistakes, if it is the alarm, I just want my fuel pump getting proper switched, fused, power as it was; without having to shell out for an auto electrician to switch a wire and tell me it was the alarm. 
    • Even with the piston at TDC there was room for it to drop, but I don't think it can drop fully into the cylinder, the problem you have is that you need something pushing against the valve to hold it up so you have enough room to put the new stem seal on and the spring etc.  I used compressed air only because putting rope in the cylinder seemed a bit risky to me, I know people have done it countless times before like this. Overall it's a pain in the ass job. Honestly you'd probably be better off taking the head off because the risk of dropping something in the engine and the finicky-ness of it all is very stressful. If you are going to attempt it though i 10000% recommend a 36050 valve spring/keeper tool. I had both the traditional lever type and after doing 1 cylinder it was absolute pain to get those valve keepers in place, even with 2 people. That 36050 is amazing, you do have to push hard to get them in place but it works perfectly almost every time. Back to my actual issue I think my engine is just tired and old and the rings have gone bad. The comp numbers (cold, no oil) were: Cyl 1 -129psi Cyl 2 - 133psi Cyl 3 - 138psi Cyl 4 - 137psi Cyl 5 - 157psi Cyl 6 - 142psi   Cylinder 5 and 6 having the most carbon on them.
    • Who did you have do the installation? I actually know someone who is VERY familiar with the AVS gear. The main point of contact though would be your installer.   Where are you based in NZ?
×
×
  • Create New...