HAZ with Henrob

[joeelutz]

I just started welding using a DHC2000 on .065" wall square steel tubing using the #1 tip. I have noticed that the HAZ is much larger than with a typical tig weld, so I tried reducing the heat and going to the 0.5 tip, but couldn't get good weld penetration and the weld looked bad with either the smaller tip or less gas.

Here is a pic of a weld with the #1 tip showing the heat color bands. Does this look OK for a gas weld with the Henrob? I placed a Sharpie next to it for size reference. Keep in mind that I am a complete newbie to welding. Thanks for any advice!
http://www.picturehosting.org/images/joeelutz/Henrob_Weld.jpg

[John Kelly]

Looks really nice to me, especially for a first timer! You could have welded a little hotter near the top of the bead to flatten it out some. In fact, you could could go over it with the torch to smooth out that portion of the weld.

As far as the HAZ, I would not worry about it unless it is pulling the pieces out of alignment or you are working with very close tolerances.

What are you making?

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

[Purf_man]

using more heat can also reduce the HAZ as you will be heating and moving faster.....instead of all your heat being wicked away in the part while you wait for a puddle to form.

[joeelutz]

Thanks for the input. I am building a body subframe for a model A tudor sedan. It is designed to fit the tubing inside the factory channels where the wood originally would go.