Arc Length for TIG welding

See blog post here at weldmonger.com

If you are still using the standard TIG cups and hardware that came with your machine or TIG torch, I can just about guarantee you will get better results if you upgrade to a weldmonger® stubby gas lens kit.

Follow these basic Tips for Better TIG welds

• For most tig welding jobs on carbon and stainless, arc length should be equal or less than the diameter of the tungsten
• make sure metal is clean and free from mill scale, heavy oxides, paint, oil, etc.
• good gas shielding like you get from a gas lens is always helpful and is especially important on stainless
• keep the hot tip of the filler rod shielded with argon
• limit torch angle when possible but torch angle is more forgiving when a tight arc is used.
• keep your tungsten sharp and clean
• argon flow rates are mostly determined by cup size ...a good rule of thumb is 2-3 cfh per cup number.  so a #5 cup would need 10-15 cfh typically.  there are always exceptions due to shop conditions or flowmeter calibration.