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Weld Shrink?

Hi All,

I am welding 4 inch .065" wall 316ss tubing for side pipes on a car. The idea is to butt weld the tubing, finish (grind) and then polish the welds so that they don't show at all. No matter what I try I always get a small area next to the bead that is lower than the surrounding metal. If I fill that I get a new low spot next to the fill. The low area is only about 10 thou. deep but if I grind that much away it shows after polishing. I am using my

250 Syncrowave set as about 35 or 40A, 15CFH Argon, 3/32 electrode and 1/16 filler rod. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Bruce

Reply to
Bruce Boyd
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Go to a smaller filler rod so you can make a smaller bead, like 0.045", or 0.035". Also make sure you are staying in line with the bead with torch and filler.

1/16" filler is too big for 1/16" stainless, you will get lumpy big welds.
Reply to
Ernie Leimkuhler

would .040 or at least 1/16th tungsten be of value, along with the thinner rod?

Reply to
dogalone

Thanks, Ernie

I'll try that.

Bruce

Reply to
Bruce Boyd

Maybe .040 2% tungsten with a .035 filler?

Reply to
Harpman

It can't hurt, but as long as your tungsten is ground to the proper point the size won't matter much until you get to much thinner material.

0.040" tungstens are a pain to work with. Too damn thin when handled in 7" lengths. I have a micro torch that uses them in 1" lengths.

I also have 0.020" tungstens. They break into bits if you look at them wrong.

Reply to
Ernie Leimkuhler

the thought here was the point (on the 3/32) wasn't ground with enough taper/sharp enough to allow the arc to be leaving smartly off the tip (results in a weak, wandering zone; possibly the cause of what sounded like undercut)

Reply to
dogalone

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