Firepower MST 180i Operating Manual page 75

FAULT
7 Dirty weld pool
8 Poor weld finish
9 Arc start is not smooth.
10 Arc flutters during TIG
welding.
11 Tungsten blackens due to
lack of shielding gas
Manual 0-5339
CAUSE
A Electrode contaminated
by contact with work
piece or filler rod mate-
rial.
B Work piece surface has
foreign material on it.
C Gas contaminated with
air.
Inadequate shielding
gas.
A Tungsten electrode is
too large for the weld-
ing current.
B The wrong electrode
is being used for the
welding job.
C Gas flow rate is too
high.
D Incorrect shielding gas
is being used.
E Poor work clamp con-
nection to work piece.
Tungsten electrode is
too large for the weld-
ing current.
A Gas valve on the TIG
Torch has not been
turned ON.
B Gas cylinder valve OFF
or TIG Torch hose not
connected to regulator
Table 4-11: TIG (GTAW) Welding Problems
4-21
REMEDY
A Clean the electrode by grinding off the con-
taminates.
B Clean surface.
C Check gas lines for cuts and loose fitting or
change gas cylinder.
Increase gas flow or check gas line for gas
flow problems.
A Select the right size electrode. Refer to Table
4-7 Current Ranges for Various Tungsten
Electrode Size.
B Select the right electrode type. Refer to Table
4-9 Tungsten Electrode Types.
C Select the right rate for the welding job. Refer
to Table 4-10.
D Select the right shielding gas.
E Improve connection to work piece.
Select the right size electrode. Refer to Table
4-7 Current Ranges for Various Electrode
Size.
A Turn ON TIG Torch gas valve before you
commence welding.
B Turn ON gas cylinder valve or connect TIG
Torch hose to regulator.
Firepower MST 180i
BASIC WELDING GUIDE