Rate my aluminum tig passes? please.

admin

Well... I'm not sure why but my TIG machine decided not to be a piece of poo today and spit gas out even with out the pedal down... so I was able to have some fun :-)These are some of my first/second passes after getting some rythm today was really the first day I was able to get to a "groove".I mean obviously, I have a long way to go but I was just very excited to get into it today!! :-)  I bought the machine a few weeks ago and it has been kind of finicky with me to having some arc start issues and the gas likes to flow after the pedal is let up.  But for some reason the TIG Gods decided to have some mercy on me today. All in all a great day!!  Let me know how you guys think they look.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:The welds look great. I would try to ease off the pedal at the end slower to prevent craters. But overall they look really clean. At least you can confirm that the solenoid is the culprit.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:They look good.  For the crater, build a tit at the end of the weld.  When  it shrinks it will be level.  Takes a while, but pause forward motion and keep adding filler as you back off on the pedal.DavidLets See two pieces of 1/8" butt welded.  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:does your machine have an AC balance?Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe welds look great. I would try to ease off the pedal at the end slower to prevent craters. But overall they look really clean. At least you can confirm that the solenoid is the culprit.
Reply:They look a little grainy, clean, but grainy. You may be putting in a little too much heat. Not too shabby! Keep it up!Proud to support Reliable Sheet Metal Works, in Fullerton, CA.Full service sheet metal fabrication serving Orange County since 1926.http://www.reliablesheetmetal.com
Reply:On the Sync 250, with clean material, I generally run my balance around 7-8.Going up on the balance will put more heat into the workpiece and less into the tungsten.Balance is "just right" when the etch zone adjacent to the weld bead is about 1/16".All your beads look a little hot to me.  Either due to amp setting or too slow a travel speed.  Aluminum likes to be welded hot and fast.If you're running subsequent beads on the same coupon, the preheating from a previous bead will throw your amp setting/speed off.  Better to lay a bead on the coupon and then set that coupon aside til it cools.  Involves using multiple coupons if you're practicing.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Crater control = Your foot!   DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by insternoThey look a little grainy, clean, but grainy. You may be putting in a little too much heat. Not too shabby! Keep it up!
Reply:So after looking around I have figured out I'm essentially using what would be considered "lay wire" technique.  Which is not too good for aluminum as far as I can tell possibly due to lack of fusion.  Sooooooooo I'm going to have to break myself of this habit.  :-/More on that soon I hope...JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:This is what I did the other day.  Didn't have a lot of time, didn't mess with AC balance, but I did work on that crater on the end.I also butt welded some together.  Actually seems strong...JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Craters look better, still looks like its all hot.  Probably from the piece heating up as you do multiple beads.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply::-)  I will work on it more.  My guess is the AL was REALLLLLLY hot this time after I joined a few pieces to the main flat.I could still be too slow though, It's hard to get into the rhythm sometimes... my hands just don't want to do it.  Usually I try welding after i hit the gym and my hands are toast :-/I should really start cutting some smaller pieces and doing things that way.  This piece I'm using now is 4 ft long LOLJoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Turn the AC balance up.  Try 7.  Maxed out at 10 position, the synchro does a max of 68% EN, IIRC.  I miss my Synchro already.  Wish I had more space.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I think I'll be able to get some hood time today after work :-)I will work with the AC balance first thing this time.JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)