TROUBLESHOOTING
TIG WELDING
ISSUES
PROBLEM
Poor starting
Black
area
along
weld
bead
Unstable
Arc.
Arc wanders.
POSSIBLE
CAUSE
Poor work clamp connection
Start
current
is too
low
Oily or organic contamination
on work
Tungsten electrode may be contaminated
Leaks in gas line or torch connection.
Gas tank is near empty
Contaminated
base metal
Tungsten is contaminated.
Arc length too long
Tungsten incorrect or in poor condition
Insufficient gas shielding
Contaminated
gas or leaks in gas line,
torch,
or connections.
Poorly prepared tungsten.
Contaminated
base
metal.
Contaminated/lncorrect
filler.
.21
COURSE
OF
ACTION
Check
and
secure
work
connection
Increase
Start
current.
Clean work piece
Grind to clean
electrode.
Check
connection
Replace the gas tank.
Remove materials
like paint, grease, oil, and dirt, including
mill scale from
base
metal
Remove
25/64" of contaminated
tungsten and re-grind the
tungsten
Lower torch so that the tungsten is Off Of the work piece
5/64"-13/64" (2-5mm).
Check that correct type of tungsten is being used. Remove
tungsten
3/4" from the
weld
end
and
re-sharpen
the
tungsten
Check and set the gas flow between 20-30 CFH flow rate.
Check gas line & connections
Recommend tungsten grind angles range from 15 to 60 de-
grees based on the type of metal, joint design and penetra
tion you desire Standard is 30 degrees
Remove contaminating
materials like paint, grease, oil, and
dirt, including mill scale from base metal
Check the filler wire and remove all grease, oil, or moisture
from
filler metal