GTAW Pics. First T with Lanthenated...

[kartracer55]

The other night a guy said he got a pack of Lanthenated Tungten to try out and told me to see what I thought about them. I wasnt sure, because they are color coded gray, and I dont think Lanthenated is Gray but w.e. Anyway, I tried them out and I really like being able to run both AC and DCSP. Very hande. They do well with a point, only the very tip balls after you grind it. One thing I noticed is that the arc seems to flicker. Not really wander just flicker, making it a bit difficult to see the puddle. Maybe it is because Im not using an Inverter machine? They definetly handle more heat than a pure tungsten does. I only ran one quick bead on scrap steel so Ill get it dialed in and Ill get a pic or two. I was wondering what you guys thought of this stuff? I was going to pick up a pack of it, but was curious if I would be better off with some ceriated? Ive run Pure and both 1 and 2% thoriated before and just want to try something different.

I also ran one side of a t joint and a lap joint on 1/8 and broke them. Both welds cracked almost perfectly down the center, so I seem to be doing pretty well, its just appearance from now on.

Anyway, here are the pictures...

Camera makes the look kinda bad but they are actually pretty consistent (which is why I took the 2nd picture). I was having a bit of trouble getting the weld started as you can see... im still an amature lol. Anyway, I can weld better than I take pictures I swear! lol. 1/8 Aluminum using 3/32 Grey/lanthenated and 3/32 filler.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5654/aluminumtfacedz5.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7849/aluminumtsideeo9.jpg\

Thoughts? Tips?!?!

Jim

[OctaneMotorsports]

Looks pretty good, Jim.

[GearHead_1]

I would let you weld for me. :thumbup:

[kartracer55]

lol thanks guys. I just got a new camera and I was too lazy to read the directions so I couldnt get my closeups all that clear. I need to find the little flower hahahaha. Ill do a few more tommorow night and get better pics.

Thanks

Jim

[mike944]

Can't view the pics, they're blocked here at work, but i used lanthinated, ceriated and thoriated myself. I don't find much difference. Then again, i'm not a professional welder. If i was, maybe it would make a difference.

I have an inverter machine myself, but i have many hours on a very old miller dialarc too.

I never use pure, not even for aluminum on the sinewave machine. The others work better. I usually use thoriated. I read that the danger of radioactive thoriated electrodes, is basically non-existent if you're using up less than 10 electrodes a year. Heck, for me, 10 electrodes might last me several years, so i don't cocern myself with it.