PowerTIG DX200 DC works awesome! A/C mode blew up my Gas-lens!

SO I took a whack at TIG'ing some 1/4" Aluminum plate for the first time.

I have been using the pedal and it's "Your guess is a good as mine" amperage setting.

I had the pedal at about half way and the initial puddle was pretty good, but slow to form.

I turned the pot up to 75% Amps, and struck the arc.

A small poof happened and before I knew it, my Gas lens screens had been melted from a Piece of the tungsten (Red band) that has blown up.

Why did this happen? Too much Argon? 1/16" Tungsten too thin? A/C frequency and balance off?

Thanks for the help guys! Here is a shot of the exhaust I had made on DC mode.

Attachment 6878

1/4 inch aluminum should use 3/32 or larger . what do you have your argon set at and ac balance to high will do that .frequency 100hz or greater) gray band tungsten will allow you to weld aluminum with pointed tungsten. I myself usually just use a 1/8 for most stuff with a good point

I think the 1/16" tungsten would be adequate if other parameters allowed it. Specifically: a low EP% AC Balance. Other important parameters for tungsten size selection: mixing in some Helium (allows smaller tungsten than pure argon), type of tungsten (2% lanthanated tungsten has highest current carrying capacity for its size).

I would expect things to happen like a burning collet body (and other torch components incluidng melting the cup) only if you forgot to turn your gas on and lit a high-amp arc. Although you might see something like that happen if you used the wrong gas as well (like something that has reactive components in it, like a CO2 gas mix.)

Hope this helps. PS - that stainless welds looks decent. I'm thinking making that stainless weld wouldn't have been possible without good purity gas.

If needbe, for further diagnosis, post pics of your blown up torch parts, and torch shown setup the way you are using it.

ac balance to high will fry things fast lol i have forgot to turn gas on when tigging woosh fryed lol

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

ac balance to high will fry things fast lol i have forgot to turn gas on when tigging woosh fryed lol

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Getting a short piece of 1/16 stainless filler mixed with your tungsten when grinding will get your heart going... when you light up with it as an electrode. I learned my lesson.

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Originally Posted by zoama585

Getting a short piece of 1/16 stainless filler mixed with your tungsten when grinding will get your heart going... when you light up with it as an electrode. I learned my lesson.

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LOL. Good to know I am not the only one that has done that trick. My buddy said he had never seen a big boy like myself jump up that quick.

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Originally Posted by zoama585

Getting a short piece of 1/16 stainless filler mixed with your tungsten when grinding will get your heart going... when you light up with it as an electrode. I learned my lesson.

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Useless without pics!

lol