TIG welding aluminum

[Amianthus]

It kinda depends on the thickness of the material. If it's thick (1/4" or more), light it up. You should get a puddle almost immediately (2-3 seconds).



If it's thinner, start out at a lower amperage with the foot feed, and hold it until you start to get a puddle. Then give it a little more once you get moving. Eventually, you will have to back off the current as the thinner metal becomes heat soaked.



Once your puddle becomes as big as your cup (or thereabouts), back out and let it cool down. One more thing, don't back out super-quick. Back out of your puddle over a 3-4 second time frame in a circular motion. Backing out too quick will crack the weld (fish-eye).



Keep us posted.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.



It'll be a while before I experiment with Al again - got other carbon steel work to get done in the meantime.



Matt

 

[Andy Perreault]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this topic. Lots of good advice here. You guys are making me wish I had a welder! :{

Someday... hopefully soon.

Andy

 

[Will24]

Good segment on welding aluminum on 2 guys garage today, I know I learned from it!

 

[Steve Graham]

How thick of Al are you trying to weld? If your doing the thick stuff like 1/4" a spool gun works real good. I just finished my advanced mig/tig class and found out real quick that I'm years away from being able to certify on tig (if ever). When I bought my Miller 210 it came with a spool gun and I've been dying to try it out, so I finely broke down and bought a bottle pure Argon and some wire for 6061T6 and gave it a try. On a piece of 1/4" thick welding a butt weld using the weld settings on the inner door I got a 50% penetration and a good looking weld.



Steve

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Don't feel bad - it'll be a while before I can certify on any welding process.



Can I be plasma cutter certified? :-laf I've been getting a lot of use out of mine lately... .



Matt

 

[GWDiesel]

Here is one for all you razor blade welders,ECT. put 2 peice's of

carbon in the vice, and put in a peice of heavy duty alum. foil and weld the 2 edge,s together to make a loop out of the flat piece of

foil,I knew a welder that could do it!and seen him do it,I never

could do it just mess up. The small Coors beer cans were the worst to try for me. GWD

 

[GHarman]

Put a small hole in the bottom of one of the cans before you clamp them together. It vents the gas as the cans heat-up and as you close the seam around the circumference. No blow-out =). GregH.