Controlling temperatures workpiece and torch
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:36 am
Im looking for some advice on how to manage temperatures. Im working on 1/8" angle welded into a frame, then 1/8" sheet welded to the frame to create a box. 28" x 35" x 2"
Frame was easy. I then tacked the sheet on the inside with 1" tacks, 2 per side. flipped the piece over and ran beads around the frame. Had a few gaps, and filled them with filler. These long beads are where I have issues. As I work along the bead, the torch starts to get ver hot, and I can feel it through my glove. After about 12" to 18" it's too hot to continue.
Doing the outside beads wasn't too bad, by the time the torch was hot, I would be ready to take a break and reposition myself to the piece anyway. The bigger problem is when I flipped the piece back over and started running beads around the inside edges. On the inside I'm able to maybe run 6" to 8" before things get too hot.
Something else I noticed is that the sheet has a slight bow in the center, kinda looks like the metal has expanded and is causing the bow.
I'm using a #17 torch with 2.4mm Red Tungsten, #6 cup and 1/8" filler. Petal is set to 140amps, and I'd estimate that I'm running 100 to 125amps for most of the time. Every time it gets too hot I have to break for 10 or 15 minutes.
Is this just normal for an air cooled torch? Is there a something Im doing wrong, or something I can do to allow me to get more work done? I don't have the budget to go water cooled right now.
Frame was easy. I then tacked the sheet on the inside with 1" tacks, 2 per side. flipped the piece over and ran beads around the frame. Had a few gaps, and filled them with filler. These long beads are where I have issues. As I work along the bead, the torch starts to get ver hot, and I can feel it through my glove. After about 12" to 18" it's too hot to continue.
Doing the outside beads wasn't too bad, by the time the torch was hot, I would be ready to take a break and reposition myself to the piece anyway. The bigger problem is when I flipped the piece back over and started running beads around the inside edges. On the inside I'm able to maybe run 6" to 8" before things get too hot.
Something else I noticed is that the sheet has a slight bow in the center, kinda looks like the metal has expanded and is causing the bow.
I'm using a #17 torch with 2.4mm Red Tungsten, #6 cup and 1/8" filler. Petal is set to 140amps, and I'd estimate that I'm running 100 to 125amps for most of the time. Every time it gets too hot I have to break for 10 or 15 minutes.
Is this just normal for an air cooled torch? Is there a something Im doing wrong, or something I can do to allow me to get more work done? I don't have the budget to go water cooled right now.