Just wanted to post an update: I found out why I was having trouble tig welding horseshoes. Today I decided to do some more horseshoes, determined to get it right. I do most of my welding in my one car garage so my welder and welding table are side by side. When I closed my garage door I felt a bree...

I know I can MIG these shoes, but I'm determined to conquer this project with TIG. Just need to get the right combination. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for all your help.

Vinny

You're right Dave. I do need more practice on fillets. Back to the drawing board:-)

That was the second side. This photo is the first side.

Today I tried something and I believe it works. Didn't clean or sand the horseshoes. Raised the heat to 180 Amps. Raised the gas flow to 20 CFH (lowering it just caused a mess). Used 70R-6 filler rod. Concentrated on the arc angle and bingo. Pretty nice weld. The second side wasn't as pretty, but I ...

Thanks Steve S. I've tried the weld and grind on a couple of the cruddy welds. I only have 308 rods, but I'll order some 309 today.

Thanks Dave. I'll try more heat.

Just contacted ebayer about horseshoes. He said that "they are steel sand blasted. Great for welding, used on horses or other projects. "

Ok. I'll try lowering the gas. I'll also try to reach out to the ebayer I bought them from to see if they are cast or not. Thanks guys. Just remembered. While welding I see sparks flying around the weld. Maybe impurities.

Here's the opposite side. Second one is still cruddy.

I tried lowering my gas flow to 15 CFH. Also used 308 stainless filler road. Raised the amps to 173. I forgot to make a dam to coral the gas, but I'll try that next time. See Photo.

Thanks exnailpounder and Noddybrian. I'll try both of your suggestions.

Another photo. One of the other photos I posted was a dupe. Sorry.

See Photo #4. This is a dupe. Disregard.

See Photo.

Changed to a number 8 cup and 3/32 Rare Earth Tungsten. Argon gas set at 20 CFH. Same problem. See photos

Changed to a #8 gas lens cup and using 3/32 rare earth tungsten. Argon set at 20 cfh. Results are not good. See photos. Also upped the amps to 180. Sorry, can't seem to get more than one photo on a page. Seems like the first side I weld, a puddle starts to flow and I get some beads. The second side ...

Hi Bruce991: Nice photos. That's exactly what I'm trying to do. I'll check for argon leak, but I've tried other metals - Mild Steel and Aluminum w/o a problem.

Thanks Farmwelding. I do have access to Mig and Stick, but I'm infatuated with Tig and am trying to improve my skills with it.

Thanks Poland308 for the information. I will try using a larger filler rod. Do you think pre-heating the horseshoe would also help?

I purchased 20 new sandblasted horseshoes to make coat/tack racks for use in a stable. I'm using my AHP AlphaTig 200X AC/DC welder using 220v. Filler rods: ER70S-2 1/16". Tungsten: 1/16" purple rare earth electrodes. Stubby gas lens with #7 cup. I begin by cutting one horseshoe in half the...