Lesson here - live and learn!
I had a new TIG welder but no argon gas, bottle, or regulator - just small CO2 tanks.
"Bring your TIG welder over next time you're up my way", said my out-of-town pal.
So 200km (120 miles) and a few weeks later, I was in my pal's garage.
"I just got my bottle filled. let's give her a try."
Note: Neither of us had 'tigged' before... but we'd been around it and knew what to expect.
Being our 1st time, we went at just 40 amps (electrode negative) on some sheet metal (steel).
Arc lite just fine... just like on TV!
Over the next say 15 minutes, we each took turns playing... neither of us could lay a beadbut then... WTF?
Yeah, the end of my ceramic cup fell off!The electrode was all crapped-up too!
Want to see a close up?
Lovely eh? Just lovely!
"Hey what's going on?"
"Are you sure that gas is argon?"
"It's 'ArgoShield'."
"ArgoShield !That's like C25 - 75% Argon and 25% CO2. The CO2 is burning up the torch."
Ah well... it was fun while it lasted!
Lesson = TIG needs inert gas like argon, C25 doesn't cut it!![]()