I certainly wouldn't recommend that the original poster buy a DC set for Ali work, for an occasional welder it would be entirely impractical, The only issue I have is with the statement that Aluminium cannot be DC Tig welded, when in reality it most certainly can be and to a very high standard.
- Thread starter powernut
- Start date
I certainly wouldn't recommend that the original poster buy a DC set for Ali work, for an occasional welder it would be entirely impractical, The only issue I have is with the statement that Aluminium cannot be DC Tig welded, when in reality it most certainly can be and to a very high standard.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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No, they won't!
Anyone who sells machines and tells you that quite clearly doesn't know a thing about what they're selling so in my opinion should be avoided.
Aluminium can only be welded properly using AC.
Just out of interest, can you post any of the links to said sellers? I'd be interested to see their sales gumph.
Carry on then
Carry on then
A rather 'slope shouldered' reply PB
From the BOC Tech Library:
AC TIG welding equipment is frequently used to take advantage of the alternating heating and oxide cleaning cycles. Many electronic power sources allow the AC waveform to be adjusted, and provide facilities for pre- and post- gas flow and current slope-in and slope-out. DC equipment may also be suitable.
When TIG welding aluminium a totally inert shielding gas must be used to protect the tungsten electrode and the weld pool. Pure argon and argon-helium mixtures are standard for use with AC TIG and helium is used with DCEP
Full article here: http://www.bocindustrial.co.uk/boci...s/aluminium/welding/tig_welding_aluminium.asp
AluMatter Website:
Both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) are used for aluminium welding. The form of the weld pool and of the weld seam can be influenced by current type and electrode polarity.
Full article here:
http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/content/html/eng/default.asp?catid=195&pageid=2144416794
Last edited:
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I really didn't want to reply to this but I don't understand why it's slope shouldered (or what slope shouldered means really), I thought it was a valid point. It's only worth picking up on it when I say it sounds like a bigoted response to me. Call me names if you want, slope shouldered or whatever. If the OP was to buy a DC welder and Helium do you think he will be in with a chance of welding aluminium at home in his garage ? Why didn't you reply to the
in the same manner you have done to my post ? I'll admit I was wrong to post that it cannot be welded DC when it obviously can, now you admit it's not a viable DIY process and you only don't like it when I say it.
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This thread is doing nothing to help the OP 
Ok, both Pedro and I said alu cannot be welded satisfactorily with a DC machine and subsequent (very informative) replies and links have proved us both wrong.
However, as we all know, the best and easiest option for welding alu is an AC machine which is what the OP deduced and is looking for
Thanks
Ok, both Pedro and I said alu cannot be welded satisfactorily with a DC machine and subsequent (very informative) replies and links have proved us both wrong.
However, as we all know, the best and easiest option for welding alu is an AC machine which is what the OP deduced and is looking for
so can we please calm down, put aside the snipes and help him find a suitable machine?
Thanks
right guys , ive bought a ac/dc tig , tbh not really sure on the spec etc , but due to the price tig welders go for second hand i bought a new one , maybe ok , anyone if this is ok
comes complete with unit , earth , pedal, tig torch and a few spares ,
heres a pic
and a spec below
Power voltage (V): single phase AC220±15?
Power frequency?Hz?:50/60
Rated input current (A):30
No-load voltage (V):43
Output current adjustment (A):10-200
Rated output current (A):18
Load endurance rate (%):60
Starting arc mode:HF
Efficiency (%):85
Power factor:0.93
Insulation level:F
Gas delay time (S):2-10
Shell protection grade: IP21S
Overall weight:21kg
comes complete with unit , earth , pedal, tig torch and a few spares ,
heres a pic
and a spec below
Power voltage (V): single phase AC220±15?
Power frequency?Hz?:50/60
Rated input current (A):30
No-load voltage (V):43
Output current adjustment (A):10-200
Rated output current (A):18
Load endurance rate (%):60
Starting arc mode:HF
Efficiency (%):85
Power factor:0.93
Insulation level:F
Gas delay time (S):2-10
Shell protection grade: IP21S
Overall weight:21kg
cheers toddy i know its not a good make or anything as im after it to tig alloy tube and some exhust tube , regards pre and gass flow ive no idea , other then the spec i posted about it tbh , or what this really means ,,, either way i thought 350 new for a ac/dc tig welder 200amp complete , with pedal,torch, earth lead etc,and warrenty was a decent price considering
Looks nice - Chinese? It looks similar in style to my Cobel WSM200 DC TIG. Same colour too. I'm quite happy with mine and have done a couple of nice stainless bits with it. It's nice to know that I could have an AC/DC model at an affordable price when I come to do some ally welding.
I know some people here dismiss Chinese welders as complete rubbish but for a hobbyist like me they make the difference between being able to justify buying a piece of equipment and doing without. My Chinese TIG has so far worked nicely and reliably while my Italian MIG is a pile of poo
I know some people here dismiss Chinese welders as complete rubbish but for a hobbyist like me they make the difference between being able to justify buying a piece of equipment and doing without. My Chinese TIG has so far worked nicely and reliably while my Italian MIG is a pile of poo
Sid
Member
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"Preceding puff time: 0 - 2s"
"Caudal gas time: 2 - 10s"
http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/chiryweld/product-detailxMuQtIgHuAYw/China-Inverter-AC-DC-TIG-MMA-Welder-WSE-200-.html
Puff time...
thats nice to know billj , as personly what i need it for ,theres not point in paying sily money out for a ac/dc tig evern if its chinese,,,most items which are inported are made from forigen parts of the world ,,i personly thought 350 for everything was a good deal with warnanty, and postage included , as well as some spare gun parts too,, once i get the hang of it , ill be ok , i reckon ,
ps bill say if im welding stanless , i assume u just use it on dc with the tunston rod in it? and if ur useing alloy , i use ac with a alloy tunston and filler rod// little confrused tbh ,,
ps bill say if im welding stanless , i assume u just use it on dc with the tunston rod in it? and if ur useing alloy , i use ac with a alloy tunston and filler rod// little confrused tbh ,,
so its no good ? if so ill send it back , as i carnt see point in wasteing 1500/2k on a welder , as for what i need it for light hobby use"Preceding puff time: 0 - 2s"
"Caudal gas time: 2 - 10s"
http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/chiryweld/product-detailxMuQtIgHuAYw/China-Inverter-AC-DC-TIG-MMA-Welder-WSE-200-.html
Puff time...
very helpfull gav ,, top man ,,
Sid
Member
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The question was asked if the machine had pre and post gas flow control. I managed to find some numbers and posted them.
My...
...was at the bad translation of pre flow to "preceeding puff time".Your money, your choice, I didn't comment on the machine or it's value.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I use Ceriated tungsten for everything, it saves looking for different ones and getting them mixed up. I liked the preceding puff time and caudal Sid, it's a fine example of Chinglish instructions.
toddy
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well for 350 it is a bl***y good buy i would say for a ac/dc tig welder. the ones i was looking at start about 3k, but then what i want would be for a little difference from what you will be needing. as i would use it for work and i would want a good one i know is easy to get parts.
but for generial use it is all good, all you have to do now is lear how to tig weld, now the fun starts. and as for tungsten i would have a thourieated for s/s and then errm the white one( can never rember the different types). and if i was you buy a box or two, wile you are learing you will need it, i know i did, and i was tourght by a few really good welders
but for generial use it is all good, all you have to do now is lear how to tig weld, now the fun starts. and as for tungsten i would have a thourieated for s/s and then errm the white one( can never rember the different types). and if i was you buy a box or two, wile you are learing you will need it, i know i did, and i was tourght by a few really good welders
matt1978
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Traditionally,
Thoriated is the Red one for DC
Zirconiated is the white one for AC
However on most modern inverters and especially on DIY applications it doesnt really matter which type you use for which, however, there are now ones which I think have Lanthium??
Which have a Gold tip and are multi use for DC and AC
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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Lanthanum or Cerium, lanthanated or ceriated tungstens can be used AC or DC. Multi strikes have gold tips and they are a trade name. I have a couple of lanthanated with blue tips and ceriated with grey tips. It confuses me at times so I stick with the one type now.
