- Joined
- Dec 30, 2018
- Messages
- 73
Hi everyone!
I decided last week to try my hand at Tig welding, and I need some help with the scratch start.
My Setup:
160 Amp Inverter Stick Welder, Big Argon Tank, 200 Amp Tig torch with valve : I cut off the flat connector and put on a dinse one. DCEN.
Amps - 60 to 90 for testing my scratch technique.
Tig Cup: No.6
Gas Flow: 10 to 15 cfh
Tungsten - 3/32 red
Tungsten Grind - sharp tip
Stickout - Length = cup internal diameter
I am struggling with the scratch start - Scratch gives me the idea of striking a match.... Kind of.
Starting out : If I touch/scratch the electrode to the workpiece it sticks 8 out of 10 times.
I then did the following:
Sat and tried a couple of hand positions, as well as draping the cable in different ways. Finally settled on one that is very comfortable. (I am practicing the scratch starting with only my right hand - as I need my left free for the rod.)
I also put a light slightly behind the workpiece to get a better view of the electrode tip as it approaches the workpiece.
Starting - I wiggle the electrode tip very slightly - maybe a sixteenth or two while bringing it progressively closer to the work. This takes anything from 3 to 6 seconds. All the while I am checking the distance between the shadow of the electrode and the workpiece. When the arc does start I am a LOT closer than 1/16 of an inch. Maybe a 10th or a 20th of 1/16 inch.
With this method I can do 10 to 15 arc starts without sticking once....
Sometimes it makes a short "fweep" whistling noise when the arc starts.
Now my question is the following:
How do you guys scratch start? I simply cannot do a scratch motion (arc/sweep/whatever) without sticking the electrode.....
I decided last week to try my hand at Tig welding, and I need some help with the scratch start.
My Setup:
160 Amp Inverter Stick Welder, Big Argon Tank, 200 Amp Tig torch with valve : I cut off the flat connector and put on a dinse one. DCEN.
Amps - 60 to 90 for testing my scratch technique.
Tig Cup: No.6
Gas Flow: 10 to 15 cfh
Tungsten - 3/32 red
Tungsten Grind - sharp tip
Stickout - Length = cup internal diameter
I am struggling with the scratch start - Scratch gives me the idea of striking a match.... Kind of.
Starting out : If I touch/scratch the electrode to the workpiece it sticks 8 out of 10 times.
I then did the following:
Sat and tried a couple of hand positions, as well as draping the cable in different ways. Finally settled on one that is very comfortable. (I am practicing the scratch starting with only my right hand - as I need my left free for the rod.)
I also put a light slightly behind the workpiece to get a better view of the electrode tip as it approaches the workpiece.
Starting - I wiggle the electrode tip very slightly - maybe a sixteenth or two while bringing it progressively closer to the work. This takes anything from 3 to 6 seconds. All the while I am checking the distance between the shadow of the electrode and the workpiece. When the arc does start I am a LOT closer than 1/16 of an inch. Maybe a 10th or a 20th of 1/16 inch.
With this method I can do 10 to 15 arc starts without sticking once....
Sometimes it makes a short "fweep" whistling noise when the arc starts.
Now my question is the following:
How do you guys scratch start? I simply cannot do a scratch motion (arc/sweep/whatever) without sticking the electrode.....