Practicing with my 140ST

So I finally got a chance to try out my new Tillman gloves today. I tried both the 25's and the 44's. I like the 44's just a little better than the 25's. I like the cuffs on the 44's better but like the feel of the 25's better, but once you start welding there isn't much difference.

Anyways, first thing I tried was a little aluminum and DCEP.... The aluminum I was using was anodized picture framing. I didn't bother cleaning off the anodized coating... needless to say it wasn't too pretty. On the places where I burnt off the anodized coating, I went back and added filler... actually didn't look terribly bad.

After that experiment I grabbed some scrap steel. It was .11 thick and I set the 140ST to 60 amps. Here is a picture:

Attachment 7816

Considering this is the 3rd time I have welded Steel with TIG, I am not too ashamed with the results. I have a small section that has the stacked coins look.... One thing I did notice is on that section, the back side does not have full penetration like the rest. I am guessing I should have been higher on the amps and a faster travel speed?

Are you sure that was only your third try at steel tig welding? Looks pretty good and it looks like you've got an eye on what to look for to improve on.

Anodized aluminum without cleaning the coating huh! That'll teach ya! :D

I'm curious how much success you're going to have welding aluminum with straight DC. 100% cleaning will put a lot of heat on the tungsten. Look forward to hearing how well that works for you.

Sounds like you are having fun with your 140st. It's a really nice, compact and capable unit!

Cheers

Yep that was my 3rd time. So was I right on what I needed to do to improve?

As far as aluminum, I was just playing to see what it would do. And you are right the tungsten melted a lot and formed a huge ball on the end.

I am having fun with the 140ST, only thing I really wish it had was a foot pedal.