Search found 14 matches

by Rick van winkle
Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:26 am
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

Rudy Ray wrote:I am looking forward to learning what the problem is. It's been on the back of my mind for weeks now.
AHP says they are sending me a pre-paid shipping label but that was first thing friday and i havent heard back on it yet. Hopefully they will let me know what they find.
by Rick van winkle
Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:36 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

I know I am new, but this sounds just like what I did last weekend when I installed the stubby gas lens kit. When you installed the collet in the collet body did you put the slit end in first? I put mine in with the slits up toward the cap and it did the same thing. Arc would jump all over the plac...
by Rick van winkle
Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:33 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

Update for anyone who might be interested... no obstruction was found in the gas lines or regulator. The argon solenoid isnt a type that looks easily rebuildable so i didnt take it apart with the machine being so new. The screen on the inlet of the solenoid is clear though. The argon tube inside the...
by Rick van winkle
Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:48 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

I think it's safe to say in this discussion that gas is the culprit... I myself doubt the insulator makes any difference at all, and having too much gas flow is a good thought but I doubt that too as it would have to be an awful lot of gas to blow itself out that consistently I would think (?). But...
by Rick van winkle
Sat Feb 11, 2017 12:01 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

I think it's safe to say in this discussion that gas is the culprit... I myself doubt the insulator makes any difference at all, and having too much gas flow is a good thought but I doubt that too as it would have to be an awful lot of gas to blow itself out that consistently I would think (?). But...
by Rick van winkle
Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:04 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

The picture of gas lens setup as requested. Is this right?
Image
by Rick van winkle
Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:16 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

If the problem only started with fitting a gas lens can we see a picture of how you have it fitted ? unless you managed to find the elusive 1piece teflon insulator you fit the one in the gas lens kit WITH the original otherwise there will be a gap where it meets the torch body & atmosphere will...
by Rick van winkle
Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:51 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

Rudy Ray wrote:^^^^^^
I have put a sharpened 3/32 stainless rod in place of tungsten once, it just made a mess of everything. Go figure.
Just to be safe i did double check and ive got the blue stripe on the end still.
by Rick van winkle
Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:50 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

Thanks for all the ideas so far guys. I remived the torch body from the line and i can easily blow through the torch body and the torch hose with my mouth. The flared connection where the torch nut threads onto the hose looks perfect. I dont have any friends who mess with tig at all so im alone on t...
by Rick van winkle
Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:10 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

it looks and sounds like you're set on AC instead of DC. If it makes a bunch of crackling noise, it's probably on AC... You shouldn't hear anything if you're set to DC. Maybe your welder is wired up wrong, try switching to AC and see what happens. how's your ground clamp? put the clamp directly on ...
by Rick van winkle
Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:01 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

While I do identify myself as a mechanic and I'm always tempted to put stuff on threads I have not dne anything like that here. I'll take the torch apart more tonight to see what else I can look at. I'll also try a new standard colllet and body when I get them. The only flow meter I have is on the b...
by Rick van winkle
Wed Feb 08, 2017 10:11 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Re: Erratic arc

I dont have a new collett and body to try right now but ill pick some up. I have tried using the damaged ones i have with the exact same result. I was at 20cfh and turned it up to 30 to see what would happen but i didnt notice any difference. I did check that i was still on dc becasue how its affect...
by Rick van winkle
Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:38 pm
Forum: Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
Topic: Erratic arc
Replies: 40
Views: 4268

Erratic arc

Im hoping someone can help me figure out whats gone wrong. Ive been spending an hour or so a day for about a week trying to build some tig fundamentals. Ive never tried to tig before this. Ive got an ahp alphatig, using the footpedal. Things were progressing along to my satisfaction just welding mil...
by Rick van winkle
Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:26 pm
Forum: Member Introductions
Topic: New guy
Replies: 2
Views: 247

New guy

Hi everybody, new guy here. Im just beginning to learn in my spare time after work. Focusing on learning tig right now since it holds my interest the most. Life long car guy living in Winder, GA.