Who's the first one to tell me TWO things you see that's wrong with this TIG welding.... I'm not spilling the beans on what member this was (not me!) but in discussing it with her.... (HA HA!) I realized that maybe more than one or two of you new TIG "welders" aren't familiar with a couple of the "don't do's"
First off, I thought you said magnets were baaad... Uhmmkay (SouthPark reference). Secondly, it looks like the same thing I'm doing wrong so I'm also subscribed...
Jeff-
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You remind me of the timing on a turbo engine...
Well Jeff has HALF of it right! DING DING DING DING
NO TIG around Magnets!!! Makes the arc wander all over the place.....
I don't think anyone will guess the other problem ----- the welder ran out of Argon....Newbs -- remember to change out your bottles when you get down in that "less than" 500 psi and that won't happen.You know these are like propane BBQ's -- you'll run out in the middle of cooking on Sunday afternoon...
And since Tonnes mentioned CLEANING here's some pics of unclean and cleaned! I copied these off Miller website.
Here's something else that I'm personally guilty of... the "if a little is good more must be better syndrome!"
Welders commonly—and incorrectly—assume that a higher gas flow/pressure provides greater protection. In fact, excessive gas flow creates turbulence and swirling currents that pull in unwanted airborne contaminants (and it can cause arc wandering). Generally, err on the lower side of recommended shielding gas rates to ensure proper shielding coverage without turbulence.
That's why I work IT and just "glue" stuff together at home
It is quite amazing the difference a little contamination makes. Growing up with a mig in hand it was a bit of a shock to pick up a tig the first time. They seem just a *bit* less tolerant.