DC..............Helium.............Aluminum???

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What is it like welding aluminum on DC with helium???
Reply:I cannot answer that, but the helium price will scare you. I had the same thought once.Bruce DeLaetHeavy Equipment Mechanic and Welder1948 SA-200 short hood1949 LincWelder 1801963 SA-200 red faceMiller S-32-P
Reply:It's hot, very hot! You can almost cut your amps in half from 100% argon. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIt's hot, very hot! You can almost cut your amps in half from 100% argon.
Reply:You need to clean the material really well with a stainless steel brush just before welding, I ran 30-cfh. If your machine is to small for the task at hand, helium will give you the needed power.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Thanks, CEP. So I guess if you run 30 CFH with helium, but only 15 CFH with argon, then bottles last about half as long?(I guess the question is, does a 300 CF argon bottle also hold 300 CF of helium?)
Reply:Before the dayz of AC and Argon...They used Helium for tigging hence the phrase....."Heliarc"Set up like you are doing steel but use straight helium instead of argon on aluminum and WOAH BABY!You want heat?You got it.But don't be looking for anything to turn out shiney as far as the actual welds go....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:And use 4043 filler. 5356 burns out the weld and does not wet.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:And here I was, under the impression that aluminum demanded AC  in order to disrupt the oxidized layer that forms on the puddle. What's the difference between Helium and Argon in terms of the oxide development?Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Try DC with helium......then try it with argonI tried helium with a piece of 6061 that is 2 x 4 x 6.1/16 ceriated,don't remember the amps and I laid a bead right along the edge,just like fallin down.Got done and thought damm that was coolThen I tried to lay a bead on that same piece with AC and argon and vaporised the tungsten.Then I tried DC with agron,you can see the molten material under the "slag" and I was able to run a bead but it weren't for crap from all the oxides.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinThanks, CEP. So I guess if you run 30 CFH with helium, but only 15 CFH with argon, then bottles last about half as long?(I guess the question is, does a 300 CF argon bottle also hold 300 CF of helium?)
Reply:DC - is all we used in the semi conductor  industry for aluminum welds.....works good for thicker material not a big fan of DC- on sheet metal.....Last edited by B_C; 06-01-2013 at 02:34 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:I want to try this, but the price of straight helium is crazy.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CDC - is all we used in the semi conductor  industry for aluminum welds.....works good for thicker material not a big fan of DC- on sheet metal.....
Reply:Will regular helium work, or does it have to be medical grade helium?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI want to try this, but the price of straight helium is crazy.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI would love to try DC Aluminum TIG too....
Reply:For run of the mill work industrial grade helium works fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWell try it! Here is an aluminum weld I did with a Longevity Stickweld 250 and my Tig rig. 100% helium, little hard to control the heat without a rheostat of some kind.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonGeez Bill!Why do I think that alum is just a hobby of yours?
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickWill regular helium work, or does it have to be medical grade helium?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI want to try this, but the price of straight helium is crazy.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickWill regular helium work, or does it have to be medical grade helium?
Reply:I have used commercial grade before but it doesn't do as nice a job as grade 5Last edited by B_C; 06-04-2013 at 05:45 AM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock