tig/verticle down

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i would like some advise from some of the seasoned tig welders on verticle downs..aluminum .125 ga     i was told by my welding teacher [aws cwi] keep your torch angled up at aout 20 degrees and add filler to the top of the puddle. At my job everyone adds filler comming in from the bottom of the weld [verticle down]  well i am doing it the way my teacher told me but the well is good,but how do i obtain the stack of dimes when i'm adding filler at the back of the weld?????is this the right way?????i'm a beginner at tig just wanting to hear from some of the seasoned vets
Reply:I took a sheetmetal test on 12g stainless where they wanted me to do that. For the life of me I have no idea why. I see no reason to add filler like that whatsoever. I'm guessing this guy is really old? I've seen a few older guys oxy/fuel weld downhill like that. He might just like to kick it old school.
Reply:The teacher is maby 55.. He has had several job, weld inspector,certified in alot... i was just wondering why myself????the bead looks kinda plain,but i guess it will work for my job..if anyone knows why i was told to do it this way please let us know..      is stainless steel easy to tig weld?????which is harder aluminum vertical down/,or stainless steel verticle down?????
Reply:Originally Posted by wareagle    is stainless steel easy to tig weld?????which is harder aluminum vertical down/,or stainless steel verticle down?????
Reply:I personally think down with TIG is harder than up, especially with aluminum.  No idea about adding filler front vs. back, but dont get hung up on the stack o dimes look.  Get to carried away with it and it can be your downfall on AL.And whats this.125 ga material you speak of?Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I think he means 1/8" material.Tig vert down with aluminum is definately hard to do.  I can go up but not down with aluminum.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:What would be the purpose of tigin' down? Is there an advantage? I've built alot of S.S. and aluminum hand rails. I always tiged up. Never too old to learn. ThanksDon't let that iron in your lungs, turn to lead in your @$$!!!!
Reply:Well, acording to "welding skills 3rd edition" your teacher is teaching you wrong.this is what the book says regarding vert down :"vertical GTAW (tig)on thin metal is usually performed downhill to achieve an adequate weld without melt-through. When filler metal is used, it should be added from the bottom,or leading,edge of the weld pool. On thick metals, uphill welding is preferred since deeper welding generally requires filler metal.
Reply:I'm thinking someone is getting vert up mixed up w/vert down. w/ vert up you want your torch set about 30 degrees and filler metal on top.
Reply:thank you all for the help..well i have to get certified through my company and i have to do a verticle down with .125ga aluminum. i done it already and practiced 7-8 hrs and the plant manager said it would pass..i will see if i can put som pics up...its .75 cent on the hour..it  was not too hard either way practice. i'm not sure if it is good,but THE MAN said he will pass it????  please give me some input and your thoughts to help me improve in future
Reply:[IMG][/IMG   [IMG][/IMG] ]                                    i have noticed when tacking aluminun it is tricky for me..i would like to know how some of you seasoned tig welders go about tacking aluminum.. i have had better luck tacking very fast and hot..i'm not tacking with filler either...what is the best way??????