Sudden issues with TIG

[DMucci]

My welder went on the fritz today while I was welding some aluminum. For whatever reason I can't get a clean Arc anymore. It's sputtering all over the place and blowing through the material as if there's very bad contamination.

I've tried cleaning a test piece with sand paper, acetone, and scotch brite. I've tried a new tungsten. I've swapped gas lenses. I've tried sharpening the tungsten on different machines. It's still acting up. I've got a full Argon tank and even went up to 30 scfh (the test piece is 16g).

I've been welding on this machine for 5 years and never had this happen before to a point I can't remedy it. It's an Eastwood TIG 200 with a WP-9 torch with lense and the pedal upgrade.

I'll post a photo of the test piece and the tungsten. The craters just above the tungsten tip is what I'm experiencing.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

You have a full argon tank. Is it a new fill?

 

[speed bump]

Check your voltage into the welder and out of the welder.

 

[DMucci]

You have a full argon tank. Is it a new fill?

Not brand brand new, no. I've been welding with it for about a month. I only meant I know there's plenty of gas in it.

 

[DMucci]

Check your voltage into the welder and out of the welder.

How is that done? Where am I measuring from?

 

[MoonRise]

Check -ALL- the hose connections for possible leaks. Visual and soap.

Check the torch for similar leak points (o-rings? not seated back cap? etc).

Because if the same tank of argon (actual SAME tank, not refilled or changed or anything) that you previously welded with and had no problems is now giving you problems when welding, then the problem is NOT the tank (or the gas in it).

If it's not a gas issue (leak letting in air somewhere), then I'd be thinking that the machine fried something electronic internally and is not giving you the 'correct' electrical output for welding that you want/need.

 

[DMucci]

Just spoke to Eastwood tech and he said it sounded like it could be a board issue but of course wouldn't advise me on how to check it. I assume there's a bit of liability there

I'll check all the hoses and connections first but if anyone knows how to test the boards let me know. He said "it sounds like you're not getting any clearance effect"

Local welder repair shop says they're 3 weeks out on current work.

 

[DMucci]

Well pretty sure I found the issue. There was a tear in the rubber boot on the torch and one of the flex coils is cracked.