0.040 tungsten and low amperage...keep losing arc???

[turboglenn]

Okay, i got a WP - 9 torch setup with 0.040 tungsten (2% thoriated) and am trying to run as low as 5-10 amps.. frequency and balance don' seem to matter, and i never had this issue on my WP17 running the same tung and amps... Ecpecially on pulsing it seems when the pulse dies, the arc dies... am i just WAY too low, or is there somehting else going on? I've tried all i can find inmy books... Any ttips???

[Blackbird455]

TG,

All of that sounds like a connection problem. OHM test from the front of the collet to the end of the cable at the machine. Then test from the cable/torch connection to the end of the cable at the machine, there should be no difference. You might have to clean the connections. Got me worried now , as you know I am about to swap to the wp-9-p. Let me know what you find.

[SundownIII]

turboglen,

Trying to figure out what you're trying to do.

Are you trying to weld aluminum with AC?

If so, you're using the wrong tungsten. Try 2% Lanthanated.

Are you trying to weld steel, etc. with DC?

The balance control does not apply. Balance only applies in AC mode.
The frequency should change the arc characteristics. Higher freq, tighter arc.

As I mentioned, your statements tend to be misleading.

Try setting your background amps a little higher.

[turboglenn]

Well, all i can get in 0.040 is thoriated, so i'm using it on everything. I've used thoriated on aluminum for ages as that's what was recomendede to be sued with my dynasty from the dealer.

The main things i'm trying to weld with it is beer cans, and thin sheet steel.. I know polarity and all that, i would just like to know things like when going with more or less pulses does it make it stay hotter or colder... and whenthings like that. I know what the settigns all are, i just wish i fully understood what each did in effect to the4 arc and penetration.

[Broccoli1]

Well, all i can get in 0.040 is thoriated, so i'm using it on everything. I've used thoriated on aluminum for ages as that's what was recomendede to be sued with my dynasty from the dealer.

The main things i'm trying to weld with it is beer cans, and thin sheet steel.. I know polarity and all that, i would just like to know things like when going with more or less pulses does it make it stay hotter or colder... and whenthings like that. I know what the settigns all are, i just wish i fully understood what each did in effect to the4 arc and penetration.

Try here:

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Sci/sci.engr.joining.welding/2006-07/msg00024.html

[Blackbird455]

TG,

Put your 17 back on and try the same settings. If it works, then you know the -9 is the problem. Maybe?

[Blackbird455]

TG,

Also I will send you some .020 Gold band tungsten if you want, I have about 50 sticks of it, all you need is the collet and body. I forgot to mention in the Beer can discussion that I tried .040 on the cans, and ended up with a wider arc and alot of wobble, not too good.

[turboglenn]

TG,

Also I will send you some .020 Gold band tungsten if you want, I have about 50 sticks of it, all you need is the collet and body. I forgot to mention in the Beer can discussion that I tried .040 on the cans, and ended up with a wider arc and alot of wobble, not too good.

I'd love to get some 0.020.. I had to pull teeth to get my local spot to getme 0.040 and then i could only get thoriated because even though their PC showed they had 9 boxes tey coln't find any, so they wouldn't order any This lead me to getting thoriated from their sister store in the neighboring city. I really want some 2% lanth but they won't carry it because thoriated sells the best...they have some 1.5% ceriated, but only in 3/32

Let me kno where to send paypal and how much and i'll be on it.... I'm sure my PM box works here so shoot the info over and i'll pay you tomorow AM.

Thanks
Glenn

[Don52]

The smallest size tungsten that I have used .040 in. I have welded down to .025" aluminum with these. I use Arc Time Hybrid tungstens with my DX200 on everything. You can purchase these and .020 in tungstens from:

http://www.arc-zone.com

You can also get the collets and collet bodies in both standard and gas lens.
I have both but I almost always use the gas lens versions.

Make sure you reduce your starting current if you are welding thin stuff or you will blow a hole when you start the arc.

[griff01]

I'd love to get some 0.020.. I had to pull teeth to get my local spot to getme 0.040 and then i could only get thoriated because even though their PC showed they had 9 boxes tey coln't find any, so they wouldn't order any This lead me to getting thoriated from their sister store in the neighboring city. I really want some 2% lanth but they won't carry it because thoriated sells the best...they have some 1.5% ceriated, but only in 3/32

Let me kno where to send paypal and how much and i'll be on it.... I'm sure my PM box works here so shoot the info over and i'll pay you tomorow AM.

Thanks
Glenn

You may need to find a new LWS or go online to Arc-Zone or Ram Welding, just to name a couple.

Griff

[turboglenn]

Well, I think I may have found the problem or at least a solution.... I ended up turning the gas flow down from 20 down to 11cfph and it's held a great steady arc since.. I think maybe the volume of gas through the smaller cup was causing a bit of turbulence or something.. Or, maybe i just got lucky and when i re-ground it i may have removed an imprefection or something...not sure, but she's okay now at least at 20 amps pulsing with a background of 8 amps

Thanks for all the suggestions.. a man can never learn too much

[Synchroman]

The local Airgas only carries stuff that sells, too. I tried to get some ceriated and lanthanated from them last yead and they don't carry it and didn't want to order it. You can get it on line from numerous sources although shipping cost is now becoming a problem, especially UPS.

I don't weld beer cans but I do use thoriated on most things. It seems to work well on MS, SS and aluminum as well. For aluminum, I just sharpen it as you would for mild steel and the AC takes care of making a nice small ball on the end after a short while.

I've pretty much given up on pure tungsten since it will make a humungous ball if you weld for a while.

My 2 cents.