Grey means too much heat input. If your welding thin SS, make sure your purge the backside of weld with argon, or use solar flux B to prevent sugaring of the weld. Using a gas lens and as big of a cup as you can get, and small diameter tungsten also really helps with thin stuff. I like to use 1/16" tungsten and filler. Also check your hoses for leaks as well because that can cause contamination. A good way to check if to strike a arc on a piece of SS in just one spot and let off the pedal keeping the torch directly over the spot untill the gas stops, the spot should be silver or a bit gold or you have a leak.
Stick with a 1/16 tungsten unless your welding thicker material that requires more amps. It takes less amps with a 1/16 electrode to accomplish the same weld than a 3/32nd so basically less heat input.
If your not using a gas lens that may be your problem, you must use a gas lens and crank up the flow to 20+. I like to use a large gas lens with a 12 cup on a 17/18 series torch, and a large gas lens and a 8 for a 9/20 series torch. A gas lens will allow more stick out as well for tight spots.
On the welds or on the brewstand ? I'll do the former in this thread.Post some pics of your progress!
I'd be willing to be a large gas lens will fix your woes, your beads look like you grasp TIG just fine. I use a gas lens on everything, so don't think that it's just for SS. You are using 100% argon correct?
Weaving allot of times will actually help the appearance of a stainless weld (with the right heat of course) because as you weave from side to side the other side cools while still under gas coverage. Here's a experiment you can do as well if your not happy with the appearance of a weld, hit it with a clean SS wire wheel, then turn down the amps and just do a dry wash side to side (no filler) moving pretty quickly over the bead and you'll be amazed at the beautiful golden weld you'll leave behind, now this is kinda cheating but I do it all the time, lol.
OK.But try the 3/32 and see how it goes, doesn't hurt to try. The faster you travel with good gas coverage the better.
Coming from trying to do it with a stick machine, its effortless with TIG.This thin stuff is a pita.
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