First collector attempt
 

hi guys,

Been working on making a collector. Using the TIG to weld it up. Still pretty new to TIG welding. Had about 1-2 hours of practice so will need a bit more before I complete the collector. Used a bandsaw to cut the pieces up. The pieces are 4 inches long. It not as close a fit as I had hoped but it's good enough for the first try I guess.

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Just tacked it up for now. I also ran a little bead to see how my welding was on the pipe. I think I need to clean the pipe a bit more. Does anyone know if I can use nail polish remover or paint thinners to clean the metal up? I don't have any acetone.

Thanks for looking

Re: First collector attempt
 

nice, but you should cut them much longer b/c now you won't be able to weld runners to your collector :-*

Re: First collector attempt
 

Not bad it looks good. But how do you plan on welding the other pipes on?

Re: First collector attempt
 

Hmmm yes.. I can see that being a problem now...I guess what i could do now is break it apart and weld say an inch of straight pipe on to the ends. What do you think?

Re: First collector attempt
 

just curious to what welder are you using??

Re: First collector attempt
 

I'm using an inverter fusion 200hf. It's a british made machine. it cost me £700 ($1390). Very nice machine and very portable. I need to get a foot pedal though.

Re: First collector attempt
 

So I cut some 1.5 inch pieces. What do you guys think? is it too much or could I get away with the extension being half the length? Sorry for the bad pics.

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thanks

Re: First collector attempt
 

how are you even going to weld those on? I think you need to start over with longer original pieces.

Re: First collector attempt
 

Well I cut the tack welds off and welded the pipes on just now. I'll clean it all up again and tack them all back together now. The next one I do will definately be longer. This one is kind of a practice one as I want to learn how to weld it inside and out. Welding it inside is gonna be a real challenge though. I just don't know how I'm gonna do it yet.

Re: First collector attempt
 

You can use what you have but will have to weld the tubes all together where they meet insted of welding them all independently of each other.

Re: First collector attempt
 

Yes I see what you are saying. Although I've extended them already, but at least I know now. I'll get some pics of when it's tacked together again.

Re: First collector attempt
 

You may want to bevel all the pipes that are to be welded. That way you will get better penetration.

Re: First collector attempt
 

for that? you can one pass that easily.
just don't go slowly or you'll overheat the base material = warping & a loss of corrosion resistance along with the metal being more brittle.

Re: First collector attempt
 

Yes I beveled the pipes and penetration seems ok.

Re: First collector attempt
 

Done a bit more welding this morning. I really need to work on my consistency. I think not haing a foot pedal and also having the parts not fit perfect made my life a lot harder! I think I need a gas lense so I can get into the top of the collector. It's not possible to weld the top with the cup I have now.
I think I was running too hot also, found it difficult to control it without a pedal.

I'll get some better pics when I get a chance.

Welded the extension pieces
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Penetration was good but I assume it's because I ran it so hot. Was only using 60amps. Guess I need to move quicker.

Re: First collector attempt
 

come on this is HMT. ------ rig some foil wrapped around it and use an assload of pre-flow to purge the atmosphere. (remember argon is heavier than air too)
less heat (-amps, more speed) you got it.

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look inside the pipe on the left. good penitration yes. but its too much. see how much your weld is pushing out from being too hot? you're |-| far from having it so hot it'll suck all that back into the weld. Anybody can tig weld too hot. tig is about using the minimum amount of heat to get the job done correctly so drop the amps alittle more. youll have to start off slower, but remember the heat builds so go faster as you weld.


im only telling u b/c it wouldn't take too much adjusting for you to do some really nice easy welding down the line.

Re: First collector attempt
 

so toysr, wheres YOUR welds at? im sick of seeing all your talk and no pics :1

Re: First collector attempt
 

Thanks for the advice. I've got to practice some more. I'm just finding it difficult to weld a long bead without having a pedal to adjust the heat. I'm sure I'll get it after a few more hours! :P

Re: First collector attempt
 

there's some floating around places. ill be back at the shop jan 7th so ill give you afew in a week or two

Re: First collector attempt
 

Update:

Welded some of the runners today. Haven't welded it on the collector yet as I've still got to finish it. I'm still a bit unsteady, easpecially whilst trying to weld in mid-air. I tacked the runners on the flange and then welded all up as much as I could then broke the tacks off and welded up the remaining bits. I know it's probably not the best method but I'm still working out the best way.

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Re: First collector attempt
 

I've just got a few questions.

The first pass I get a nice shiny weld and looks pretty good. I wanted to make another pass but the welds turn out undefined and grey, almost like a mig weld.

The first pass I use 60amps with 10lpm gas flow. I haven't got a pedal so I pretty much do a few welds and wait for it to cool before I continue.

On the second Pass I find I need to use more heat so I bump it up to about 90amps with the gas flow on 15lpm.

This is all on sch10 316l stainless pipe.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks

Re: First collector attempt
 

youre cleaning your ---- between passes right?

1 Lpm = 0.03532 cfm

10lpm = .3cfm..

stop being so stingy with argon and just crank that up to like.. 50lpm, unless the conversion is wrong.

Re: First collector attempt
 

Ok I'll bump it up and see what happens. Argon is really expensive over here in the UK... everything is...

Re: First collector attempt
 

10-20 CF/H (good general argon flow rate) =
4.7-9.4 liter/minute