I finally bought a house in Cave Country! W00T!!!

[The Chairman]

Here are the max amps for 2% thoriated (red) electrodes...

• 0.040: 15–80 amps
• 0.010: Up to 15 amps
• 0.020: 5–20 amps
• 1/16: 70–150 amps
• 3/32: 150–250 amps
• 1/8: 300-400 amps

I'm running an amp for each 0.01" of material. It looks to be 1/8", so I have it set to 126. My pedal allows me to adjust from almost nothing to 128, since that's the max I have it set to. I'm trying to do autogenous welding (sans filler) and melt the edge of the flange into the leg. I only need an inch or two top and bottom.

 

[Russjstewart]

Sorry to hear of your back problems

 

[The Chairman]

Sorry to hear of your back problems

After 15 months of this, I know why they call us patients.

 

[Boarderguy]

You do have your gas on, right?

 

[The Chairman]

You do have your gas on, right?

Thanks for the chuckle. Yeah, you can hear it hiss before the arc starts.

 

[Boarderguy]

Thanks for the chuckle. Yeah, you can hear it hiss before the arc starts.

You laugh (I just did) but that's bit me a few times in the past.

 

[The Chairman]

That was my first thought on the first fiasco. I did up the flow a bit, but it was indeed on. I had a buddy learning how to MIG years ago. The gas had a 1/4 turn valve and everytime he went to weld, I turned it off and opened it again when the wire stuck. He couldn't understand what was going on, since It always welded fine for me. I stopped before he was in tears, but the drama was hilarious. With many friends just like me, I've learned to check my gas often.

 

[The Chairman]

No, I don't think I ever fessed up to that crime.

 

[Tracy]

Here are the max amps for 2% thoriated (red) electrodes...

• 0.040: 15–80 amps
• 0.010: Up to 15 amps
• 0.020: 5–20 amps
• 1/16: 70–150 amps
• 3/32: 150–250 amps
• 1/8: 300-400 amps

I'm running an amp for each 0.01" of material. It looks to be 1/8", so I have it set to 126. My pedal allows me to adjust from almost nothing to 128, since that's the max I have it set to. I'm trying to do autogenous welding (sans filler) and melt the edge of the flange into the leg. I only need an inch or two top and bottom.

An amp per thou seems quite high for mild steel.
That is a closer guideline for aluminum.
Remember, you aren't welding, you are using a welder as a torch. The tungsten never contacts the material.
As close as possible, but not touching is the basic guideline. Increase the pedal until it arcs and then hold it until a puddle forms. Arc control and puddle control is a product of time spent doing it. It is very very similar to oxy acetylene brazing only you lift the pedal instead of pulling the flame back.

I have only used a pedal twice so it is a bit foreign to me, everything I do is laying in or on something welding in position. I have been using a thumb control for so long, it is my go to even when working on a bench.

 

[The Chairman]

An amp per thou seems quite high for mild steel.
That is a closer guideline for aluminum.
Remember, you aren't welding, you are using a welder as a torch. The tungsten never contacts the material.
As close as possible, but not touching is the basic guideline. Increase the pedal until it arcs and then hold it until a puddle forms. Arc control and puddle control as a product of time spent doing it. It is very very similar to oxy acetylene brazing only you lift the pedal instead of pulling the flame back.

I have only used a pedal twice so it is a bit foreign to me, everything I do is laying in or on something welding in position. I have been using a thumb control for so long, it is my go to even when working on a bench.

I bought the optional thumb control, but I sit a lot out of necessity.