1.5 aluminium

[Cheesie]

Anyone else weld this much, some times I think I've got it the next it all goes wrong
Takes so little to mess it up, my main annoyance is when trying to weld without burn through,
on outside corners I've ended up just fusing,

 

[AndersK]

Be bold and be fast.

For a butt weld set amps to 70-80 and be prepared to move fast. If you start with too low current it will take too long to get a good puddle and you will be heating up a large area and suddenly it goes out of control. Another thing with that is you will most likely add filler too soon which usually creates a mess with aluminium.
If you can, use some kind of backing to help absorbing heat. Sounds contradictory to what I just wrote but can allow you to move slower.

 

[Cheesie]

Not tried the backing yet my place only buys 2.4 tungsten which I'm sure doesn't help

 

[Cheesie]

ok on outside corners no burn through, it's the butts

 

[Macfun]

I'd like to reach your level ...

 

[Cheesie]

I'd like to reach your level ...

The quality I'm after isn't needed in my work I just try to improve all the time, self learned and most times it's through mistakes and on here, very helpful bunch

 

[Brad93]

Want to know a trick? Get a lump of stainless or copper square bar, grind a 1/16” fillet on the corner and clamp it on the back of the fillet weld with some long neck vice grips.

hit it with more amps and get moving.

 

[Mullet52]

I weld 1 - 3mm.

1.6mm tungsten would certainly help things.

Can you change frequency on your machine?

Do you use a foot pedal or torch button?

What balance are you running?

 

[Cheesie]

Just a torch frequency around 110, maybe I am asking a bit much of myself the aluminium has been laser cut I would say as there's always a little burnt plastic around edges

 

[Cheesie]

Sometimes it works out and others not so think I'll get myself some acetone see if it helps

 

[Macfun]

No filler on outer edge (3rd picture) ?
Ik looks soooo smooth.

 

[Cheesie]

No filler on outer edge (3rd picture) ?
Ik looks soooo smooth.

No filler I dropped using filler when he dropped to 1.5 material only use filler on corner tacks, and on the back folded edge

 

[Mullet52]

I sometimes get that as most of the material is laser cut.

Use a stainless wire brush that’s only used for aluminium on the edges.

 

[Brad93]

File the laser cut edge.

drop your frequency, that won’t be helping you get a smooth nice weld. Too focused an arc.

60-80Hz