I noticed today - my 4th day of TIG practice - that my welds had gotten MUCH worse compared to yesterday. I was trying something new (welding 2 plates at a 90 degree angle), so I initially thought it was learning curve (again!, sigh). BUT the other thing I did was use my own electrodes obtained from Amazon → Patriot Tungsten - 2% Lanthanated TIG Welding Tungsten Electrodes 3/32” – 4.7 rating. I didn’t have time to switch back to asmbly electrodes, but will try again tomorrow. What are your views on where to buy quality electrodes?
Interesting, 2% lanthanated is what we keep at asmbly too so could just be what you got from Amazon, I believe we got our electrodes from air gas, Westbrook probably also carries them.
I wonder if the material was nice and clean too? Acetone is TIG’s best friend
Well… I can’t vouch for ‘clean-at-the-time-I-was-welding-them-together’! I had cleaned them with acetone 2 days before when I was butt joining 2 pieces lengthwise. I’ll remember to use acetone frequently. I went back to asmbly electrodes this morning and had a much better experience, so jury is still out on the Amazon product.