well today was my first real day of tig welding. im just messing around with some mild steel, just trying to get the hang of thing. learning how to hold the torch, feed the rod, and using the pedal. doing all this at once is no simple task. i give props to you guys that do this and do it well.

im having some problems with the surrounding of my welds. theres black stuff around it. and theyre small cracks at places.

the machine is asynco 180
-amp set at 80 but im giving it 50% throttle on the pedal.
-argon set at 20 cfh

heres the picture:


the cracks:


some other passes:

 

you didnt prep the metal did you?

 

dont worry bout it. its aluminizsed steel. its the coating thats crackling off and flaking. you shouldnt weld that stuff anyways. gives off cynide.

 

i wonder how they found that out
lol

 

really? cyanide? i should probley be more carefull welding that stuff!

 

i sanded the area down then..wiped it off with acetone.

probably a stupid question but, is old argon gas any good? im using argon that came with an old mig welder...and the mig welder hasnt been touch because the mig wires have rusted. just wondering if it goes bad.

 

are you shure it is argon and not a mix gas ???