i got to sit down in front of the tig machine today for the first time. here are my welds; comments good, bad, constructive criticism...

first pass at ss:



3rd pass at aluminum:



its a short class period, and i wanted to try both aluminum and ss so i didnt have very much time.

 

looks pretty good ..now weld my muffler.lol

 

aluminum looks like too much heat - what's the thickness and what were the amps?

 

i'm in the learning process as well, but I think both beads are too hot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bjorn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">aluminum looks like too much heat - what's the thickness and what were the amps?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it was set using the card that comes with the machine.

if you are talking about all that nasty crap around the weld... its because the metal we have in the shop is pretty dirty, and i just cleaned it well enough to weld on it.

 

the white stuff is oxide - it usually forms a lot more with EP balance (lower setting). Using a lower balance setting (more EP than EN) also gives less penetration, making it easier to weld w/o burning through. What does the backside look like - nice and shiny or a dark gray scab? Did you brush in one direction only - brushing in multiple directions just craetes more oxide and a crappier surface. I usually got my best results with just a quick wipedown with my glove - for me, brushing, unless than were chunks of **** on it, did nothing to help out the weld. Also, how far did you hold the tungsten from the surface (further away = more heat)? All in all, not bad for your first tig session

 

it was 125 amps. 1/8th inch metal

yes i did brush it in multiple directions.

the back side is dark and scabby, it looks like it penetrated all the way through, but maybe its not suppose to look like that...

i remember being pretty close to the metal with the electrode.

 

The stainless bead looks a bit tall but not for sure unless you can get a better picture. The aluminum looks way to wide, almost no filler and/or too much heat. It helps to show the backside of the weld too.

Then again I hope your instructor would be helping you out some.

 

The coloring on the SS looks good, you have the right torch and feed speed. The aluminum looks a little too warm, move a little faster, lay off the pedal a little and that should fix the problem. Looks very good for a first time

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backpurge &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The stainless bead looks a bit tall but not for sure unless you can get a better picture. The aluminum looks way to wide, almost no filler and/or too much heat. It helps to show the backside of the weld too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea, no filler on either bead.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backpurge &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Then again I hope your instructor would be helping you out some.</TD></TR></TABLE>

he does, but its an entry level class so he doesnt have much time. he has to deal with the kids that get the rod stuck to the metal on arc and stuff like that.

also, he is not as critical because the class is oriented towards "equipment repair". thats the only welding they have at my school. so its like will it work, as opposed to how can i make it better/perfect.

but overall the al is too warm. ill work on that next class