question for welders

Dragsinger · 10-04-2014, 09:14 PM

The setup;

it is any day of the week. I ready the MIG welder setup and begin to weld. The work goes beautifully, welder setup sounds perfect, weld is laying and penetrating like text book. I can easily see the process and moves along just as expected.

Later I pickup the TIG torch and even though my TIG experience is limited it also goes nicely. Bead looks good, heat signature looks just right.

The MIG machine is a Miller 185 about 15 years old but in excellent condition. I run .030 wire with 75/25 argon co2 mix.

The TIG is a new Miller Dynasty 200 DX with straight argon.

Now, fast forward two days, the machines are set exactly the same, nothing about the machines or setup has been touched.

And I am welding very poorly, MIG is sputtering, burning through, bead stacking up too high, whew, awful sounding and looking. Same with the TIG, looks awful, Tungsten balling up, burning through, etc.

So, my question; it is reasonable to assume the only thing changed is the operator [me] Why does this happen? Do some of you have such an experience?

I have learned that when this happens just forget about welding for the day and do something else. After a few days I can try again and all will work fine.

If I earned my living as a welder I would starve! My welding is personal race car work only.

Any ideas to improve my bad days?

10-04-2014, 09:14 PM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	question for welders The setup; it is any day of the week. I ready the MIG welder setup and begin to weld. The work goes beautifully, welder setup sounds perfect, weld is laying and penetrating like text book. I can easily see the process and moves along just as expected. Later I pickup the TIG torch and even though my TIG experience is limited it also goes nicely. Bead looks good, heat signature looks just right. The MIG machine is a Miller 185 about 15 years old but in excellent condition. I run .030 wire with 75/25 argon co2 mix. The TIG is a new Miller Dynasty 200 DX with straight argon. Now, fast forward two days, the machines are set exactly the same, nothing about the machines or setup has been touched. And I am welding very poorly, MIG is sputtering, burning through, bead stacking up too high, whew, awful sounding and looking. Same with the TIG, looks awful, Tungsten balling up, burning through, etc. So, my question; it is reasonable to assume the only thing changed is the operator [me] Why does this happen? Do some of you have such an experience? I have learned that when this happens just forget about welding for the day and do something else. After a few days I can try again and all will work fine. If I earned my living as a welder I would starve! My welding is personal race car work only. Any ideas to improve my bad days? __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W