I found the same issue with amperage. I thought I was doing something wrong since all published stuff I saw said 1 amp per thou. So, on .50 sheet metal I set the machine at 65 amps and went to town. I had my Dad watch the readout on the welder as I was welding. Turns out that I used about 62 amps to create the puddle and as I moved along, I was down around 48-52. I guess once some heat soaks into the material it acts as a pre-heat and then allows you to back off on the current. Just a guess.
Now I need to make a torch stand, quit posting that stuff. I have enough to do!
THANKS TO: A&M Machine and Fabrication, CCTek (http://www.candctek.com), Hermance Design(www.hermancedesign.com), Paradise Road Rod & Custom, Harry Opfer Welding, Wegner Automotive Research, Clayton Machine Works
Being a rookie I was having a tough time getting a puddle due to low amps. Once I used a more aggressive max amp setting it allowed me to hit it quick and hot, similar to a tack weld, to get the puddle started then back it down.
Miller's phone app notes to add 10% to the amperage setting for mild steel vs. stainless.
Your post got me thinking......if it was a CNC process the machine would probably monitor material temp ahead of the bead and the amperage would gradually be stepped down from start to finish as heat builds.
I thinking about videoing my machine readout while practicing to better understand the process. Similar to a Dyno chart or GPS track log for an event.
Thus the foot pedal... for controlling your amperage. Your eyes are the monitor...
Once I get those sync'd up.............
Little personalizations are helping a lot also. Hand props of varying heights, a taller stool, clamping fixtures, etc. I'm finding I can't have too many "custom" accessories. Anything that improves vision, range of movement, and angle of attack......
Little personalizations are helping a lot also. Hand props of varying heights, a taller stool, clamping fixtures, etc. I'm finding I can't have too many "custom" accessories. Anything that improves vision, range of movement, and angle of attack......
EXACTLY!!!
It's all about freedom of movement - or travel - while being able to be unwavering... I find that if I'm moving too slow -- the weld will wander etc. So once I get cranking I just want to make that puddle travel.
Thus the foot pedal... for controlling your amperage. Your eyes are the monitor...
I usually crank the amps up to max for the tungsten then modulate with my foot. Too many numbers in my head as it is. Only time I really pay mind to the amps is when I know im going to be welding for more than an hour at a time then i'll set it so I can full floor the pedal and concentrate on the puddle.
Also I use a fixed #12 lens when I tig. No flash and blind. My eyes are much happier now.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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