Keep an eye on Ebay for a Miller CST 280. I bought a used one in great shape for practicing pipe a while back and got it for $1200, but I saw a brand new one in the box that sold for $810 a week or two ago. They are designed for pipe welding with 6010/7018 and have a 100% duty cycle at 150 amps. Ver...

Lately I've been trying the scoot forward and back movement for the root using a freehand technique. For the hot pass I'll walk the cup that that's where I would get the slippage....tried lightening up my grip and that has helped. Thanks!!!!

Hey guys, just wanted to give an update. I shortened my tungsten stickout to help me hold about a 15-20 degree torch angle and rest the cup on the bevels without dipping the tungsten, and also turned the amps up much higher...110-115. I think part of the issue is I was running too cold which meant I...

I got a new everlast powertig 185 off eBay for 750 shipped. Haven't used it for aluminum yet but it definitely has the capability. Welds decently on stick mode but as mentioned it won't run 6010 for crap. 6011 is fine though.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll try messing with torch angle and amperage today and see if I can figure this out.

Thanks for the quick reply Steve. I've tried 3/32 filler with the same gap and 75 amps, same results. I'm wondering if it's a torch angle issue...I'm freehanding the root with a finger propped on the pipe and the torch leaned back maybe 35* from the direction of travel. Too much?

Hey guys, having some trouble with putting a good tig root in pipe and looking for some help. Machine: Miller CST 280 with scratch start tig rig, gas lens, #8 cup, 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten. Gas: 10 cfh Amps: 85 Filler metal: 1/8" er-70 s2 Metal: Carbon steel pipe, 3" Schedule 40, 37* b...