Some progress pics of my TIG Stack o' Dimes

[Chad s]

Ive been TIG welding for about 1.5 months now, and have been working on getting more consistent uniform results. Im pretty happy with my progress, but the "stack of dimes" still has a way to go. Heres from tonight's practice.

This is 3/16" cold rolled steel plate, 3/32 2% Theriated, 165 amps.

[Ian-MetalSmith]

Chad,

Looking pretty good.

My "dimes" come out a little closer together on steel. Maybe slow down a little bit and don't advance your torch so far each time. Your spacing looks more like my aluminum welds.

Ian

[kmaysob]

why is everyone so obsessed with the stack of dimes?

[wirehunt]

I'd love to know that to kmaysob............

[handsonexperience]

the "stack of dimes" obssesion/expression is to show a more uniform/even placement of filler metal. As you see in Chad s's pics the weld varies in uniformity. It's a good weld, Chad s, but, as previously mentioned, torch advancement was a tad "quick". Be patient,,you're getting it.

[Rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by kmaysob

why is everyone so obsessed with the stack of dimes?

Because...in today's economy, that shows you are wealthy!!!

[Fat Bastard]

My suggestion, FORGET you ever heard the expression "stack o dimes"!

Concentrate on the fundamentals:
Consistency of width, height, HAZ, no undercut, no inclusions.


The stack of dimes thing will follow with time naturally just let it happen.

[weldbead]

maybe a little porosity here and there, a little shmootzy along both top and bottom tie-ins...surface crap off the plate?? how much argon are ya passin?

[wirehunt]

Originally Posted by Rojodiablo

Because...in today's economy, that shows you are wealthy!!!

Get the mig out and spotweld your way along, that should get that dime thing happening.

I much prefer the stronger smooooth weld myself from all that cup walking

[El_Lloydeo]

the "stack of dimes" in some cases is considered a stress riser if the ridge sticks up far enough. id rather have a nice smooth bead.

[Matt80]

165 amps for 3/32 tungsten is WAY too hot. I'd be running that around 90 to 100.

By the looks of that picture your weld is just 1 big undercut.

[Chad s]

Originally Posted by Matt80

165 amps for 3/32 tungsten is WAY too hot. I'd be running that around 90 to 100.

By the looks of that picture your weld is just 1 big undercut.

There is actually no undercut in the weld, it may just the way it comes off in the pciture.

My machibne is a Diversion 165, and while Im certainly no expert, around 130-165 ams is where it reccomends it should be set for 3/16 material.

[Matt80]

Does it call for that much heat for a 3/16 inch fillet weld, or just a stringer bead?
I can see for a fillet. Have you tried it at abit lower heat?

Sorry about the undercut comment, just the picture I guess.

I think with lower heat you'd have more success and alittle more crown.

Post more pics if you get a chance.

THX

[sn0border88]

Originally Posted by Matt80

165 amps for 3/32 tungsten is WAY too hot. I'd be running that around 90 to 100.

By the looks of that picture your weld is just 1 big undercut.

I dont know what kind of amps your talkin about but 90-100 is way to cold for 3/16 plate. If anything id say he could bump up the heat a notch and add some more filler and space the dips closer together.

[SundownIII]

snOborder88,

He's using a Diversion. Pedal's to the metal at 165A.

Can't use amps you didn't buy.

Shouldn't need that many amps for 3/16 plate. Think he's just moving too fast and has too much spacing between dips.

I agree with a previous poster, looks more like a bead on aluminum rather than steel.

[weldbead]

when someone says 1/8 6011 at 95 amps, we all know or can duplicate that . when someone says 3/32 tung, 3/16 ms plate at 165 amps, we dks because we dont know how much of the 165 the pedal was passing....we are behooved to leave the machine at max amps and use hell out of th epedal...but how could you describe that..?btw i use 3/32 tung all the time (ta185 )without problem..dont own a 1/8 collet body or anything bigger than 3/32.....

[Propulsion]

Originally Posted by El_Lloydeo

the "stack of dimes" in some cases is considered a stress riser if the ridge sticks up far enough. id rather have a nice smooth bead.

If what you are saying is correct then I better contact the Department of Defense and have the following programs put on hold; Titan Missle,Cruise Missile,Space shuttle,
BlackHawk,Apache,Chinook,Cobra and Huey Helicopters and have my engine parts and ensembles recalled because of stress risers.

[El_Lloydeo]

perhaps you should call them then propulsion. any change in uniformity such as sharp ridges, undercut, square edges, even an arc strike is considered a stress riser. you should know that.

[wirehunt]

Then wonder around a nuclear power station and see if you can find a stack Propulsion. I can tell you the answer already.

[Propulsion]

Originally Posted by El_Lloydeo

perhaps you should call them then propulsion. any change in uniformity such as sharp ridges, undercut, square edges, even an arc strike is considered a stress riser. you should know that.

That is not what you said in your first post.Your implying that a stack of dimes look, Which I call a properly deposited tig weld, that if the ridges stick up far enough, which I call excessive convexity, will cause stress risers. Excessive convexity increases the stiffening effect of the weld causing a notch effect. A properly applied tig weld "stack of dimes" does not have sharp ridges

[El_Lloydeo]

well the one at the top of the page does, and when i think stack of dimes thats what i think of is welds like the one in the picture at the top of the post. maybe you didnt read my first post, here i will copy it for ya. (the "stack of dimes" in some cases is considered a stress riser if the ridge sticks up far enough. id rather have a nice smooth bead.) in some cases. i consider that weld to be a bad weld. sorry to whoever made it. no offense.

[Propulsion]

Originally Posted by wirehunt

Then wonder around a nuclear power station and see if you can find a stack Propulsion. I can tell you the answer already.

Do you mean like this wirehunt. I have been laying them for 24 years.

[El_Lloydeo]

I dont consider that a stack of dimes. pic at top of post yeah. thats sure a pretty one goin around that corner.

[dougspair]

...Well...here's some INCONEL I welded...1,800 degree heat-exchanger stuff.....for AEROJET.....

[chicksdigwagons]

Originally Posted by El_Lloydeo

I dont consider that a stack of dimes. pic at top of post yeah. thats sure a pretty one goin around that corner.

No offense, but just because you don't consider that a stack of dimes doesn't mean that isn't what it is. Observe:
Stack of US dimes:


Textbook stack of dimes weld:


This however looks more like a series of tackwelds:


Just needs a little work on the fluidity of the welding procedure, but looks like a good start.