Got my first TIG welder about 3 weeks ago. Have been MIG welding on and off for several years...shadetree mechanic. Anyway I am struggling with the concept that I had seemingly conquered in MIG welding, i.e. creating a
single pass fillet weld using, standard parameters, that will pass the hammer test...
So far it's "no go" with my TIG welds as they appear to be breaking at the weld joint. Specifically, I am trying to create a fillet weld with 1/8" to 1/8" mild steel.
Gas: 100% argon
Gas Flow Rate: 20CFH
Amperage: 115
Polarity: DCEN
Electrode:3/32" tungsten 2% Ceriated Ground & Annealed
Filler Rod ER 70S-02 1/16"
I am attaching a view of the weld joint area after it was subject to hammer test...It appears, to me anyway, to show fusion, but maybe not enough penetration?
One question that pops up is why do welding calculators suggest a MIG machine require more amps, 160 or so, to weld the same thickness with, say .035" MIG wire? Should I even expect a TIG fillet weld on 1/8" steel to pass the hammer test with a single pass weld?