69427
The Artist formerly known as Turbo84
Got a problem pop up trying to TIG some aluminum projects (alternator bracket, air filter base, seat brackets). Everything was going well the other day when I was working on the bracket until I noticed I was running out of argon. I shut down the machine and headed out to get a new tank of argon. The next day I needed to modify the steel tensioning bracket for the alternator, so I changed the settings and electrode, and proceeded to start welding. The bead/joint area immediately looked like shit. I didn't have time to figure out WTH happened, so I ground it all out and MIG'd it. Later in the day I started to get back to the aluminum parts. I reinstalled the correct electrode, set the polarity (AC), current, and flow levels, and hit the pedal. The (shitty) arc just pitted the crap out of the aluminum without getting any reasonable puddle. I changed the cleaning/penetration ratio setting on the waveform, and tried again. Still nothing but damage to the "intended bead" area. If I was an expert welder I would think that I got a bottle of something that's not argon in that tank (it's definitely marked argon, though). I'm not discounting that I'm missing something or doing something wrong, but I've never run into this problem before. Before I take the tank back for a replacement, do any of you TIG guys have any suggestions on what's going on here? The machine is a Miller with only about 20-30 hours on it.
thanks,
Mike
thanks,
Mike