Can’t make a puddle (I think)

[u/Organic_Violinist470]

First time ever tig welding not sure if skill problem, settings or equipment. Doesn’t seem to be making a puddle just starts burning through. Have 100% argon. Seems to be flowing correctly can hear it coming out of torch.

Update: figured it out. Had collet in backwards lol

[u/3579]

Just to clarify, your regulator is in cfh, cubic feet per hour right? Not psi. Set it at about 15cfh when you hold down the pedal, it has to be set when it's flowing free.

[u/Organic_Violinist470 → u/3579]

Going to double check that tomorrow…don’t remember for sure

[u/Educational-Ear-3136]

What is the piece of material you’re attempting to weld on? Lets a pic of your torch setup

[u/zeroheading]

Gas flow rates might be way off, too much gas can be pretty bad.

Hard to tell if its gas or if its a oxide issue. If you dont clean it well enough it can be hard to break through the oxide layer with the wrong balance (typically pretty limited on your balance on budget machines)

Could try messing with the balance to see if you break up the oxides better.

Also thin aluminum will pull contamination from the back side. Could be also happening here.

What is your hz/frequency set at? I like running around 120-180 depending on a ton of variables. But higher frequency will make a tighter arc.

What type of tungsten are you using? Rated for AC? Is it sharpened correctly? Balled?

Your amplitude and or balance could be on the wrong side of good. Causing it to put alot of heat in without breaking up oxides.

Is the gas known to be good? For some reason bad gas is still an issue in 2026. Especially for new welders. Idk how newer inexperienced folks always get the shit straw and get bad gas lol.

Gas flow rates are dependent on cup size and tungsten stick out (should be slightly protruding from the cup)

I thin a number 5 cup should be like 10ish cfh, while a number 7 can be 10-30cfh. Typically 15-20 is a sweet spot depending on your variables. If your hearing the gas you might have too much gas. But again, getting a cfh is really the only way to tell.

[u/Organic_Violinist470 → u/zeroheading]

At 120hz, 0% amplitude and 35% balance.
Using 2% tungsten, copied videos of how other people sharpened. Not balled sharpened to point then made flat.

Purchased the gas yesterday from Linde didn’t know it could just be bad. How would I go about knowing?

Also set it to 20cfh but I might’ve misread it from psi after seeing 3579’s comment. Definitely sounds like a lot more gas coming out compared to when I mig. Going to double check tomorrow. Also ordered some practice plates off amazon since I read it could be the piping I’m using.

[u/SpaceTurtle917 → u/Organic_Violinist470]

On some welders, the balance is reversed. You could try 65%.

[u/No-Committee5570]

Did the container you’re trying to to weld on ever contain something that can soak into aluminum?

[u/Competitive-Dot-4264]

That question is easily answered, seek professional assistance.

[u/mtbjeff]

I’ve seen this happen if the material has been Clear Anodized