General Fabrication

Axle I'm building 2x2 1/4" wall. Last picture is width compared to my truck

 

Front bumper v2 over spring break this week. Happy with the results thus far.

Probably gonna get minimal time back at it during the next few weeks, but hopefully finding time on weekends to get it done sooner than later.


And loving the new welder. Went with the Miller 211

 

Looks similar to what I want to do to my relentless front bumper.

 

And making progress on the new skids.

 

Opinions on the Lincoln 180 HD Weldpak? Pretty cheap might go pick one up depending on opinions.

 

Found one for $400. Sweet new little toy

 

I consider them a pretty useful tool. Good pull on the deal!

 

I've had the 175 for 8 years no issues

 

Good to hear!

 

Built myself a sweet little cart today!

 

Calling all tig experts I need your help, I've been at it for a few hours now and cannot figure out what is happening, started to weld and about half way through, this happened.

It's getting very frustrating and I need some help. I've taken every precaution, acetone after grinding, changed the tungsten three times, and I'm using about 20 cfph on the gas. I've broken, ground, and retried numerous times and can't seem to find what's happening. So I've called it quits and I'm looking for some real professional advice now. Thanks in advance!!
(Also, don't know if it matters, I don't get any porosity on a flat piece of steel, not sure why that is)

 

Is that a piece of sealed tubing?

 

@glorifiedwelder might chime in on this. I think he was getting his TIG welding on recently with his truck.

 

It's tough the say. It looks like their is porosity at the beginning and in the middle of the weld. If it's sealed it could be blowing out like @Bentrodder said. But without being there it's tough to say. It's hard to tell what the piece your welding is. Is it tubing or an axle tube? I'd also check the seal on your gas cup. If your sucking in air thru the cup it will cause serious porosity, I just had it happen with a new Pyrex cup.

 

Looks like you're welding outside, was it windy/breezy at all?

 

I wish it was on my truck. You know we never have time to touch our own shit. It was for a customer. If I would of know Andrew at trac was gonna close his doors I would of bought another set of his wiy links. I already regret not tig welding the first set I bought from him.

 

Welding outside? Gas will blow away causing the welds to have pockets/bubbles

 

Thank you guys for the input!!! Was not windy while I was welding. I figured it out though, it was mostly likely a mix of things but the two main issues were, 1. Dirty tungsten. I guess the wheel I was using was just dirty , so after grinding the tungsten I wipe it clean with acetone. And 2. My gas was not high enough, I thought 19-20 would be enough, but I suppose being outside even a draft I could not feel was affecting it, so I bumped it to 25-26 and it was all good
I went from this

To this,

still not perfect but infinitely better. I also read that filler rod has anti-oxy stuff or something in it, basically oxygen repellent to my understanding so I used filler rod on this pass.
Thanks again guys!!!

 

How much stick out you have? Could try pushing the tungsten into the cup a bit more. Also try using MIG wire as filler. The higher silica content helps with the spitting and popping.