Sloppy Weld on Aluminum, anyone know the Thermal Arc setting?

admin

New to the board here, I just got a new welder and found this site from searching for tips on it. Looks like I got a nice machine, I hesitated at first debating on this or a used one, but the man at the company I got it from said this one is the way to go, the used one was more expensive. So here I am, and need to learn some new things.  I am new to this welder and just bought it last week but have welded aluminum before and was getting ok results on the old welders but i think can be perfected with this one because of the features on it. Have 1/8 wall aluminum tubing that I am welding up, and wondering if anyone knows the best setting, because I dont understand them all yet. Its working out OK but not a pretty little pattern, it needs a little help. Had the guy from the place I got it help me the first time, and he got me welding like a pro. But now I am on a different task and not looking as good. Welder I have is a TA 185 with AC for aluminum too. The guy from who I bought it from here spent an hour on the phone with me and even came to my house on my last project and set me up beautifully but I know he is busy and I dont want to annoy him too much, he spent a whole saturday morning with me for free and pretty much did my project for me. I am not paying them to teach me so do not want to take advantage too much I need to learn on my own. But if you guys have any help on these settings it would be great. My last welder didnt have anywhere near as many settings but it wasnt as featured up as this one so its nice to have but I need to learn it a little more. Anyone out there using a TA 185 on Alum. please give any tips.
Reply:Try this-125 amps AC120 Hz35% balanceno pulse or slopeMM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:There is a .pdf file  "Quick Start" guide if I can send it as an attachment.  It should have come with your machine, however, and gives good starting settings for different metals and gauges.185, 200, 300 ACDC QUICK SET-UP GUIDEARCMASTER ACDC Front Panel descriptionProcess Functions – Push the Process button to scrollthrough the three processes: STICK, LIFT TIG, HF TIG. Thered LED will light as the process is selected. When inSTICK mode the output contactor is activated. A remotedevice will need to be connected when in TIG mode toactivate the output contactor.TIG Mode Functions – Push the Mode button to scroll through the four TIG modes: STANDARD, SLOPE,SLOPE w/REPEAT, SPOT. The red LED will light as the TIG mode is selected.STANDARD – TIG operation using remote devices tocontrol contactor and current.SLOPE – TIG operation using a remote contactor deviceto step through weld sequence. Sequences include: InitialCurrent, Up Slope, Weld Current, Down Slope, FinalCurrent.SLOPE w/REPEAT – Additional Slope function forcurrent control while in the Weld Current sequenceactivated through the remote ON/OFF device.For a detailed description of the Slope or Slope w/Repeat functions see your Owner’s Manual under theSlope Mode Sequence section.NOTE: All Slope functions operate with a Remote ON/OFF switch device only.SPOT – Timed HF TIG operation using a remote ON/OFF device.Parameter Functions – Functions are set using the Scroll Buttons and Control Knob.VRD – Voltage Reduction Device is active when in the STICK process. The green LED will lightindicating VRD is activated. When in TIG mode, the red LED will light indicating VRD is inactive.CONTACTOR button - Pressing this buttons enables CONTACTOR functions to select ON orOFF/REMOTE-ENABLE. Red light is ON when CONTACTOR ON or OFF/REMOTE-ENABLE isselected.CONTROL button - Pressing this buttons enables amperage control to select PANEL or REMOTE. Redlight is ON when PANEL or REMOTE is selected.Scroll Buttons – Used to step through the Sequence Graph. The red LED will light to indicate parameter tobe set.K1A498300 1STICKHF TIGLIFT TIGPROCESS BUTTONSTANDARDSLOPESLOPE with REPEATSPOTMODE BUTTONSequence GraphScroll ButtonsAC/DC - Push the AC/DC button to select DC (direct current) output or AC (alternating current) output.The red LED will light to indicate the output selected. When AC output is selected the Wave Balance andAC output Frequency Parameters are active and can be set through the control knob when selected with thescroll buttons.Pulse - Pushing the Pulse button turns ON or OFF the Current Pulser. The red LED will light when theCurrent Pulser is active. With the Pulser active the Peak Current, Base Current, Pulse Width and PulseFrequency can be set through the Control Knob when selected with the scroll buttons. Selection is indicatedwhen the green LED lights.Digital LED Display – Welding current and parametervalues are displayed in this window. The display willshow settings in Hertz (Hz), Seconds (SEC), Percent (%),Amperage (A) indicated by the lighted LED above thescreen. Internal warnings such as over temperature, lowor high input voltage applied are signaled to the operatorby a warning sound and error message on the screen. Thewarning sound will activate when the power source isturned off.Control Knob – Allows the operator to adjust the outputcurrent within the entire range of the power supply, also used to set each parameter value in the SequenceGraph. Pushing the knob inward displays the actual welding voltage.Save Load Buttons - A total number of 5 programs can be saved into the 300ACDC memory. To SAVE theCurrent Weld Parameters into Memory press the SAVE button for about 2 seconds, Select a memory location byrotating the control knob, 1 to 5 is displayed on the meter. After selecting the desired memory location (ie 1 to5), press the right scroll button and the machine will give a beep to confirm the weld parameters from thecontrol panel are saved. To LOAD (retrieve) a Program to the Control Panel press the LOAD button for about 2seconds, select a memory location by rotating the control knob, 1 to 5 is displayed on the meter. After selectingthe desired memory location (ie 1 to 5), press the right scroll button and the machine will give a beep to confirmthe weld parameters are loaded onto the control panel.Detailed description of each parameter can be found in the Owner’s Manual.ARCMASTER ACDC SETTINGSEquipment: 300ACDC power supply with TIG kit, argon shielding gas, 3/32” 2% thoriated tungsten (red) or lanthinated (gray) ground toa 30 degree prep.Aluminum: AC current:1/16” (.062) – pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 70, Hz 100, balance 20%, post-flow 6.0 sec.For pulse settings - set pulse width 60%, peak current 100, background current 30, Hz 1.01/8” (.125) - pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 150, Hz 80, balance 20%, post-flow 6.0 sec.For pulse settings – set pulse width 60%, peak current 150, background current 50, Hz 1.03/16”-1/4” - pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 185, Hz 60, balance 20%, post-flow 8.0 sec.For pulse settings – set pulse width 60%, peak current 185, Background current 125, Hz 1.0Mild Steel or Stainless Steel: DC current: 1/16” (.062) – pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 70, post-flow 6.0 sec.For pulse settings - set pulse width 60%, peak current 80, background current 30, Hz 1.01/8” (.125) - pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 125, post-flow 6.0 sec.For pulse settings – set pulse width 60%, peak current 125, background current 50, Hz 1.03/16”-1/4” - pre-flow .1 sec., hot start 20, amperage 185, post-flow 8.0 sec.For pulse settings – set pulse width 60%, peak current 185, Background current 75, Hz 1.0K1A498300 2E
Reply:Thanks, I did find that sheet and looked it over, and it helps. I am getting better, just have to try some moreand practice before I do my projects, I got a lot better in 2 days already so its looking good.
Reply:http://www.aceengineering.ca/Temp/TIGWeldingChart.pdfThis chart was put together by a member on HobartConrad Turbohttp://www.aceengineering.ca/Temp/TIGWeldingChart.pdfEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge