Good stuff, David! Doing pipes like that will make you an expert real quick. Flat welds are a cake walk after doing enough round parts. I’m going to keep at the pipe as I have about 20 ft of pipe I can cut into pieces to weld back together. I might try coping some 90 degree joints to see what it’s ...

Thanks @Oscar, I presumed a grounding issue wasn't letting the HF start do its thing. I'll keep an eye on it to see if I see any patterns.

I was practicing TIG today on aluminum and noticed that the arc was inconsistent in how it started. 125A 3/32" 2% lanthanated No pulse Ground connected directly to the work Sometimes I would have to bring the tungsten till it almost touched the work before the arc initiated. Once I accidentally...

Good job David! Keep moving forward... Thanks Lt! It’s gradually coming along. Today’s practice was not as good as yesterday’s. Dipped the tungsten a couple of times, and gave it dose of filler rod for good measure <eyeroll> But worlds better than a month ago :D Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spoken like true hobbyist, first part is a small diameter tube/complex joint! :D We never listen do we, eh? :lol: My first TIG'd real part was a set of modified longtube headers! :) https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=0B1gKnCRgylLcUm1lc3NiT18yUm8 Dang Oscar! Those look really good. Funny...

BillE.Dee wrote:Way to go David. Lookin good.

Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement!


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TIG welded my first actual part tonight; a cable hanger for my welding cart. Length of 2” pipe and a flat plate cut to shape to hold the cable on. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/d106d3e40252a0fa8fd86f9850aab259.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201018/24eaefdb5ceaca404f1592bc05181634...

Despite the mishap that was an excellent way to end the day! Thanks for sharing yours son’s first welding adventure


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Looking good!

My shop is 24 x 32 x 10ft with 12 4ft 2 tube LEDs and 8 adjustable 3 petal LEDs all 5500 - 6000K so it's bright. I initially just aimed the helmet at the ceiling and adjusted the sensitivity just to the point where the auto darkening didn't activate and that was it. Never had a flash yet. I have al...

I've used bright lights to help see the weld area, but I don't want the lens to darken before I initiate the arc, that's where the x mode on miller hoods shine. I think other manufacturers have something similar I’ve definitely noticed that if I glance up and catch any light from my LED fixtures it...

Just to add to the intrigue, my circa 2004 Esab AD helmet darkens when I look at the sun. So Maybe the AD tech has progressed to the point where it's more 'discerning'?
"I know you're looking at the sun, so I'm not going to darken. Get back to work you slacker!"

I ran a few beads this morning and all seems to be well. Seems it was operator error with the sensitivity too low.
Thanks to all who helped me sort this out!
D

IMHO, getting flashed is just a part of life with auto dark helmets. The funny part is, I build all sorts of visible and non-visible light sensors for automation, do all manner of micro controller design work, and there's simply no reason for this stuff to happen. I don't know who does these design...

The sun doesn't usually cause helmets to darken. Do some proper welds and see how it works. Don't worry about the flash, it's just visible light. Harmful rays can't go through the plastic. Obviously don't keep using it if it flashes again though Interesting. I thought for sure it would darken. I'll...

I left the helmet in the sun all day to ensure it was fully charged. Bright sun out side. Put on the helmet, sensitivity is set to max, look up at the sun and nothing happened. Curiously it did go dark for a second as I raised my head but I couldn't get it to do it again. Unless anyone has any sugge...

I may have had the sensitivity set too low.


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I hate getting flashed! By welding arcs.... My guess would be it is 100% a malfunction of the hood, and nothing to do with the welder or torch setup. Maybe check your sensors to make sure they are clean. Also may not hurt to remove the battery for a bit and then reinstall it to hopefully force the ...

Not that way! I was practicing TIG tonight and got flashed bad. Working on just running straight beads, no filler on 1/4” mild steel. Completely clean. First couple went fine then suddenly blam, absolute brilliant flash partway through the next bead. I didn’t dip the tungsten. Primeweld 225 130 amps...

LtBadd wrote:I believe the HTP is a rebadge of Stel, made in Italy

Indeed, this is a dead ringer for the HTP 221
http://www.stelgroup.it/tig-dp-221hpa-ac-dc/?lang=en

Dustin Gallagher from Primeweld just said "We are working a digital welder made in Italy will be comparable to miller quality. Price point will be around 2600usd"

I wonder who in Italy makes a top quality welder?
@Oscar, are you aware of any decent Italian machines?

Well done!


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Well done!
I find the anticipation of the job, so much thinking and preparation often outweighs the actual execution!


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av8or1 wrote:Glad to see it come together David!

Thanks, it was fun to design and create.


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BillE.Dee wrote:Awesome job, David. Thanks for sharing the build.
gramps

Thanks Gramps, I really appreciate that!


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