We keep learning.  thanks Martin

you will notice a big difference in arc starts using either 2% lanthanated or CK LaYZr and the tip will hold up much better

thank you Eric, Sam always brings value

thanks Martin, Sam had a lot of great tips that I hope help a lot of folks

Yes I would say that is a fair assessment. using this type of angle seems to help the metal flow better.  Not sure what physics are behind it.

In certain situations, I would recommend not using nearly this much angle but it does seem to work well when weaving with tig on steels.

thanks

seems like they are always changing links https://www.hobartbrothers.com/downloads/aluminum_selecti_1lOo.pdf try this one

I think sometimes a larger tungsten can help if you barely sputter the tungsten in the puddle. But on the flip side, a smaller tungsten can be a bit easier to grind back to shape. 

Thanks Martin, I love back to basics stuff. 

thanks Jim, I have several welders myself and there are definitely differences in the way they burn a rod.

Old transformer machines are hard to beat sometimes.

the way pipeline welders seem to do it is with a wedge.  some of them are stepped in increments ...others a simple wedge that goes from around 1/16" to 3/16" . never saw one on a job with pipefitters but coulda used one on stainless for sure . a quick search on google for "pipe welding wedge" will show you a bunch of different kinds