Need help QUICK ! Thick Aluminum

[Lawnmowerboy]

Hot enough. Big enough puddle going

 

[Georgie]

In the trouble shooting section in my book it says if the arc is erratic over 200 amps, to check the shunt? And also check the spark gap with a feeler gauge... Any idea of what these parts look like?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

The tungsten balling itself up is where the tungsten is eroded by the electrons traveling to and from it. The amount and the speed it erodes varies depending on there you set the ac balance. More EN gives more penetration less EN keeps the tungsten in better nick for longer

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

The shunt is most likely reffering to the relay that switches the welding current .

 

[zardoz]

Get it really clean. with acetone if possible. also give rod a wipe with the stuff. Use a smaller ceramic.

 

[Shox Dr]

Shox, what do u mean by the joint at a point?

There hasn't been sufficient heat to create a weld pool.

 

[Georgie]

Ok lawnmoer, i balled it on dcen, the worked with the ball in ac. It barely changed ball when touching down on aluminum, in other words it was durable, but didnt create a pool.

I checked the spark gap it was at 0.015.. Its supppsed to be 0.03


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[Shox Dr]

It barely changed ball when touching down on aluminum, in other words it was durable, but didnt create a pool.

???

Are you regrinding after each touchdown?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

What he said!!!!

 

[Jim Davey]

You have to regrind after every touchdown. It really sounds like you need some 1 to 1 training with a professional. I reckon you'd learn more in twenty minutes with someone experienced than any a mount of time trawling through forums.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Even though you think you re doing the right thing and covering alk your bases as far as the operater is concerned is where you're probably going wrong. As said even half an hour basic tuition would make the world of difference by ironing out the fundamental problems you've got here.

 

[justmental]

reading how to and doing it are to different things.
jody from welding tips and tricks his videos are great there is loads on youtube.
i for one can take it in more by actually seeing whats going on than just reading about it.

now as for the job in hand it needs more prep work done to it as for the thickness i would of chamfered the edge's a bit and done it in 2 passes.

 

[Georgie]

Ok i keept everything the same all i did was change out the 5/32 zirc tungsten and #10 cup to a 3/32 lanthanated with gas lens and it worked PERFECTLY!

 

[bkt]

Some pics of that perfect work will be appreciated.

I have little experience on Tig (half a year on spare time, once a week), I have been following this post and I would like to know how it finished.

 

[Jim Davey]

I said smaller ceramic didn't i? Cheque in the post to 16 Northfield Road please

 

[Qualitig]

Lol good cal Jim.

 

[Qualitig]

Be good to see how your weld ended up Georgie

 

[wheresmejumper]

could have been the size of the tungsten though.5/32 needs a serious amount of amps for a stable arc on aluminium.

 

[julieanncharters]

7-9mm Aluminium needs a bit of vee prep before welding .
just a bead sat on top would be weak as kittens.

 

[Georgie]

Ok guys, the weld is FAR from perfect, but at least I was able to weld with the 3/32 lanthanated and gas lense plus #7 cup.

The but joont went well, but where the aluminum tapers off (sides) it would melt away rather quick. The bead you see on the top took about 4 minutes non stop at 230 amps and one whole filler rod...

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