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| vtsteam:
Thanks Andrew, I think maybe I can change the gas fitting on the back of the welder to something else more common -- it isn't TIG standard and seems to only fit an oxygen fitting that torches have (did some internet research). Others have changed out the fitting or used an oxygen torch repair fitting on the hose. My Argon regulator comes with a barb fitting for 1/4" hose, looks like, already. I suppose the actual hose type is not critical since argon is inert? While waiting for the TIG stuff to arrive, I decided to try to do a series of arc welding tests today of 6011 6013 and 7018 1/8" and 3/32" sticks in both the Lincoln buzzbox and the Harbor Freight DC inverter in AC, DCEN, and DCEP at various amperages on 1/8" plate. The whole exercise was very revealing and actually quite helpful to me, and will probably improve my welds in the future -- and I wrote it all down this time instead of trusting to memory -- on the wall, right above the welders! For anybody else with the HF welder, I checked with a meter, and the stock output polarity in the stick welding switch position and with cables connected per welder case markings is DCEN. It was hard for me earlier to keep a 1/8" 6011 stick going, no matter what the amperage. The arc would break every second or so. But that was with the stock Harbor Freight DCEN. When I switched leads to get DCEP it went easier, and a continuous weld was at least do-able, though not ideal. The Lincoln Buzzbox (AC) produced a better weld with the same stick, which was disappointing. However, on doing some searching on the internet, I've found that many report that stick welding with the HF machine is greatly improved if the stock aluminum ground lead is replaced with a #3 copper welding lead -- I'll have to try that and see if 6011 work improves. 6013 DCEP on the HF welder worked great -- better than the Lincoln beads, it was just 6011 rod where I was having the problem. 6013 DCEP was slightly better than DCEN on the HF machine, with a bit more penetration and slightly better looking weld, though both were good. This is the welder I have: http://www.harborfreight.com/tig-mma-inverter-welding-machine-with-digital-readout-98233.html |
| vtsteam:
Today I remembered that I had a retired oxy/acet twin hose stored in the shed, so i decided to check the fittings against the HF welder. Sure enough, the oxygen hose fitting worked. I checked the hose over and cut one end off to inspect the inner rubber core. -- it looked new. The outer green wrapper was discolored slightly, but no cracks and flexible throughout, so I decided to use it as an argon line. I simply split the green hose off and attached the provided regulator fitting on the end. So I'm good to go when the other TIG stuff gets here! That will save the expense and a week of waiting for a new hose shipment. :ddb: |
| DavidA:
If you get the polarity the wrong way round it will eat your torch electrode. Dave. |
| ieezitin:
VT. Welding aint hard but if you have inferior machines it becomes hard. Decent machines can be purchased today for about $1000. which will do all what a fabrication shop needs in stick and tig welding. DCEP is for all stick welding. DCEN is for Tig. The money is in the control and purity of the amperage and current. 6000 series are junk rods the flux is tuff, bathe them in water and they will weld just like a 7000 series rods, but they are spray arc, they are designed to deposit spatter of material on the joint. there a good first glue but must be ground out to get a foundation for the next rod. Even though it is legal and common practice here in the USA to weld Gas lines with 6010 and weld down hill to make joints, the line pressure is only 80lbs which reduces at the street to 7lbs off the street. Its illegal to weld high pressure piping 120lbs and above with 6000 series rods, 7000 series are globular arc, they blob in the molten pool and make a better weld, they are very delicate, if water moisture has entered the flux it will cause havoc while welding and make inclusions in the weld. the point is rods, amperage and purity has everything to do with getting a good weld, if you were here and i showed you how to weld in my shop you would be proficient within 5 hours, amateurs get so disheartened with there skills but its not them its the equipment and lack of knowledge of the product. hope this helps.. Anthony. |
| vtsteam:
Well Anthony, I guess it sorta helps. But I don't have $1000. And Im not there. And those were the rods I had. So I did what I did. Nothing's perfect. We do what we can. |
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