Welding aluminum

admin

I am just starting to tig weld.Today is my first day welding aluminum.I practiced all day and at the end of the day I started to improve.I have been learning by trial and error.I still can't finish my weld very good.I have been trying to back off on the pedal at the end of the weld but I still get a crater and sometimes a crack in the crater.I did a search on tig welding aluminum,I was wondering what are your guys favorite threads on welding aluminum.I would love to get better at this and am willing to put in the practice,any advice would be appreciated.
Reply:The crack in the crater, most any crack in an aluminum weld will be because the base material was not heated enough through the piece. It cooled too fast, right at the end, and cracked. I do lots of sheet pieces that are 3/16 and 1/4" . If there is not very thorough heat with the weld puddle, I have seen some cracks. I usually use the tig torch to make a quick pass across the weld area to put some heat in, and it gives it a second to spread the heat. This helps a lot. As for the crater, this is a practice thing, as well as a setting thing. Try to adjust your downslope if you can. Many times, if you can't, you have to lower the heat as you finish, and may have to hit the pedal and drop a last dab one or two seconds after you finish the weld. Basically, stop, wait a second, start soft, add a dab, stop quick.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:i think what would help is after you finish your weld keep the torch over the bead and let it cool with the post flowor is that only for non Ferrous metals?
Reply:The end of your weld shrinks.  Build a tit so when it cools and shrinks, it becomes flat.  Takes a little time to learn, but that is what I do.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks guys I will take the advice and keep practicing.