Moving on from dc tig to ac - how much harder is it?

[Bingy]

Hi all

I am used to using dc tig inverter welders for stainless etc at work.

I have been meaning to get myself a set at home but never got around to it.
Long story short, and after lots of umming and arring
i have just purchased the r tech acdc201 inverter package with foot peddle, albiet the shop soiled version.
(by the way the scratch is more of a 10mm long mark on the top, very hard to notice it).
Still need to borrow a bottle of argon from work yet so its still boxed up, but its a hell of a lot heavier than the inverters at work and quite a bit bigger too

Anyhow, back to the questions
how much harder is this set going to be to use compared to the dc welders at work. ( cebora 160dc. inverter fusionhf200 )
How much harder is ally welding compared to stainless
I already feel like a kid at christmas, without the batteries
Excited yet confused
One thing amongst others is i have never used a foot peddle, normally just set the dail and press the trigger.

Am i better off starting as a beginner on the tutorials, or do i dive straight in turn it on and have a blast.
I eventually want to add ally to my list

Thanks chaps, expect a lot more questions coming your way

John

 

[shenion]

Aluminum is a bit harder to see the weld pool, it just goes shiny.

It is also harder to start and bridge gaps due to the surface tension. The puddle will pull away from the gap. I often lay the filler in the gap and wash across it to start. Once going it is really the same as steel.

Try some 3-4mm aluminum at first. Some new stock; don't try a scrap casting as it will likely have zinc or magnesium that makes it difficult or impossible. Do some straight runs on flat to start to get the feel.

Hardest I find with aluminum, is it gets HOT. Hard to find places to rest your hand and not get cooked. Also, as you get going the metal heats up and it takes less heat. You go faster or run the pedal down.

I use a pedal on aluminum as it takes a lot of heat to get going and you can stomp on it then back off.

 

[Bingy]

Thanks for the fast reply.
Once the machine is up and running i will go with your advice
I need to work out what all the dials are for. There is an instruction booklet, but its still double dutch at the moment. i guess playing with it once its up and running is better than staring at the book trying to figure it out now.

Cheers

 

[zardoz]

I have found that for Tigging both steel and Ally that one of those 'tig finger' things work well for resting your hand on hot surfaces. You can buy them on uk ebay for £21 inc postage or you can be sure of getting a genuine item direct from the dude in America for just £15 including air mail postage (I have no connection with him other than watching his most excellent welding videos every week)

 

[justmental]

As Zardoz has said Jodys videos are great and loads can be learnt just from watching them alone.
reading how is one thing watching how is another.

 

[wheresmejumper]

second that tig finger^

the only extra settings for aluminium are AC Balance and AC frequency
set the balance to 35 and the frequency to 100-120
that should get you going to begin with