struggling with alluminium

[Rrunnach]

A bit less amps @ about 110a. As already said, other factors too, trial and error to reach a good welding condition....

 

[langy]

That's what I meant. He just said it better than me

But! I was shown how to ally weld by Runnach, and he runs it hot but just throws in that filler - it's no dab-two-three-dab-two-three thing he does, it's dab-dab-dabbing like machine gun fire from the moment you have the pool wet, then backing off at the end to avoid melt through. You have to train that left thumb and forefinger to go like blue blazes.

Don't forget, adding filler cools the weld.

Thats good advice, a full length rod don't last long on aluminium

 

[justmental]

so very true Langy

 

[jonnyBMX]

ahha just spent another £70 on more consumables, getting set up isnt cheap atall, but on the plus side i think i have everything ill need for a long while!

more updates when u get home and try it with a gas lens

 

[justmental]

it sure does jonnyBMX i had some money left when my dad died thought £1400 would se me up with tig and bits how wrong.
i have spent around £1800 now but i do have a good selection of filler rods for aluminium now plenty of tungsten's aswell.

reminds me need to order a no7 ceramic broke one yesterday (dropped a hammer on it). lol

 

[jonnyBMX]

yeah, dread to think what ive spent kitting myself up,

MIG welder,tig welder,compressor tool chests etc etc list goes on.

luckily my dad has all the rest such as grinding wheels and machinary lol!

all fun an games considering im an elecrtical engineering apprentice ahah!

 

[langy]

so very true Langy

Its funny how they dissapear I do very little aluminium, probably one job a year and I usually guessamate how many rods i'm gonna use, I never have enough ready when doing aluminium

Theres more than you think there is in these

 

[justmental]

i would guess about 16-18 rods and is that your tig hiding under your bench

 

[jonnyBMX]

ive got 5kg 2.4 ally, 5kg 1.6 ally, 5kg 1.6 S/S 5kg mild steel 1.6 and 2.4 god knows how long its gunna last it wasnt cheap though ahah!

 

[langy]

i would guess about 16-18 rods and is that your tig hiding under your bench

Pretty close it was 12-14
Yes the set under the bench is my home tig, Parweld xti200 ac/dc, great little set, the valve covers were done on a miller syncrowave though, the water cooled torch made the job quicker and easier

 

[jonnyBMX]

seems to be 1 step forward 5 steps back, the first weld i did tonight when i sat down was pretty good... all the rest wernt some seem to be way to flat down and alot wider then i would like and you can see a sorta like grainy effect going on.

think ima have to just try and find someone who can spend a few mins with me to get me started, saying that is easier said then done though as there are no local tig courses and i dont know anyone that can do it ahha!

 

[justmental]

i have a tecarc 206iac/dc which looks the same as yours but also looks like them cheap chinese ones that people have all them problems with.
mine works great best money i have ever spent.

 

[Rrunnach]

But! I was shown how to ally weld by Runnach, and he runs it hot but just throws in that filler -

You were already at the mark, Si, was just a case of dotting the i's & crossing the T's.

When I was on the tools manu-ing oil-related stuff, more methodical and purposeful techniques were used.

If I remember correctly, day we were up back,it was bloody cold, hence billy whizz technique, plus a warm stove in the house was waiting!!

 

[jonnyBMX]

ive given up for tonight lol! aint getting anywhere

 

[justmental]

what rods are you using

 

[jonnyBMX]

2.4's

 

[justmental]

what 4043 / 5356 etc
if its looking flat and a wider bead then this could be the aluminium beeing a bit on the hot side. when this happens back of the pedal a bit.

 

[jonnyBMX]

4043 , okay thanks i shall give it another go tomorrow, what freqency balance is good? like 70?

 

[justmental]

i dont have freqency control on mine the higher you go the more it will focus to a narrow beed
have a good watch at these videos listed here of jody's site
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig-welder-settings.html

it explains beter than i can

 

[jonnyBMX]

thanks they were a great help! atleast i wasnt up till gone 12 watching welding tips and tricks LOL - commitment right there