[Scott Morris]

I have noticed using one of those triangle shaped magnets, it completely changes how the welder sounds and the weld looks. Say if I am welding square tubing to a plate, everytime the first side using the magnet the welder sounds different and the weld is not as good. As soon as I remove the magnet, the welder sounds much better and the weld looks much better. IF I use a clamp to hold the tubing the first pass is normal. Anyone else noticed this? I assume they must work since every weld shop I have been to has them.

Thanks

SM

[exnailpounder]

Magnets will definitely screw with your arc. It's even worse on Tig. You need to avoid having a magnet in your immediate weld area. Also if you heat up a magnet, it will ruin it.

[Scott Morris]

Magnets will definitely screw with your arc. It's even worse on Tig. You need to avoid having a magnet in your immediate weld area. Also if you heat up a magnet, it will ruin it.

Thanks, glad to know it is not just me......


SM

[Coldman]

The idea is to tack while the magnet holds the pieces in place and remove the magnet to weld out.


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[bruce991]

I can tack with one close but that is it, in TIG you will notice arc rolls around and around and acts like wind is blowing across it.

[weldin mike 27]

Its called arc blow.

[Scott Morris]

Its called arc blow.

Thanks....... learning something new everyday.



SM

[Otto Nobedder]

Arc blow can also happen in the absence of magnets, if something has magnetized the metal such as cold-working, or previous welds in the presence of a magnetic field. It's more obvious when stick welding.

Steve S

[weldin mike 27]

Quite true Steve. It happens regularly while stick welding on dc. I've had a few issues with it, (If you call wanting to throw your project through a wall an issue) and this was simply the natural magnetic field. Moving the earth clamp around can help.