[Greg From K/W]

I am wondering how you guys get your ss welds to look so shiny. My welds look decent but they are dull no shine at all. I run my argon at about 15 so that there is no turbulance. I have to run now look forward to hearing.

[steeldr.]

I don't have any videos or pics to download, but I can give you a few pointers that might help you get a better looking weld on ss sheetmetal; try using more amperage and increase the travel speed. next. shorten the tungsten stickout and lead the torch aprox. 7-10 deg. next, be sure to clean both the base metal and filler wire.
The reason for a faster travel speed is to keep the base metal as cool as possible as it leaves the argon coverage from the torch........hope this helps. ron

[TRACKRANGER]

I am wondering how you guys get your ss welds to look so shiny. My welds look decent but they are dull no shine at all. I run my argon at about 15 so that there is no turbulance. I have to run now look forward to hearing.

Fronius make a device called a "MagicCleaner" that electromechanically cleans SS. I used one once, and was suitably impressed.

This picture is a sample piece of 1.6mm stainless. After the weld, the purple oxide discoloration continued along the entire length.

Then one end of the weld was given a single wipe with the cleaner nozzle (a few seconds). This was perhaps 2 or 3 years ago.

These pictures (taken today) shows exactly how the weld remained ever since.

P1040100.JPG (22.78 KiB) Viewed 838 times

P1040101.JPG (21.88 KiB) Viewed 836 times

[TRACKRANGER]

Some statistics on the above weld:

External Corner Fillet of Stainless Flat

7 L/min Argon
Electrode 1.6 Tungsten. 35 Amps DC
Material 1.6 Stainless Steel sheet
Filler Rod: 1.6mm dia stainless

HTH, Trev

[jrogers80]

I am having the same problem and I do not have a gas lens or a monster cup so I tried sticking stiles steel wool in my cup to diffuse the gas and it seemed to help a little but my beads were still dark and light gray. But if I rub them with a rag they shine up considerably. I am new to tig welding and still experimenting.

[Rick_H]

A lot has to do with amperage, total heat input and travel speed. While I prefer my gas lens a regular lens setup works just fine and will net that purple/ gold color.

I use Wondergel by Derustit for Pickling all my stainless welds, pulls the color right out and preserves the weld/stainless properties.