Noob help

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Hi y'all,I am a complete noob to TIG.  I recently purchased a Lincoln Invertec 205 with the water cooled torch.  I need to know some baseline settingsI am working on a project using primarily .0625  6061 aluminum tubing with the pieces at all kinds of screwy angles.First,How many cubic feet should I be running the argon at?  I'm currently at about 12cfI have been playing with different sized tungsten rods, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8.  I'm finding that I like the larger tungsten better.How much current can I run thru each size of tungsten electrode?One problem that I'm having is that I keep getting deposits of aluminum building up on the tungsten.  Also the sharpened tip dulls down quickly.   I am running the cleaning cycle at 30-35%What am I doing to cause the buildup?Why do the sharpened tips burn off so fast?How far should the tungsten stick out of the pink gas shield?  I've been sticking it out appprox 1/32"Initially I was running at about 50 amps and have turned it up as far as 100, but it seems that around 80 works nicely.  I've also been finding that it works better if I hit the material hard for a couple seconds then once I get a puddle started to back WAY off and  got at the speed that the material wants to work.  I am finally starting to get some decent looking welds.   They sure were UGLY at first.  This stuff sure isnt easy!!!Interestingly enough I am finding the TIG welding to be VERY similar to Soldering.  I used to own a Stained glass business that specialized in architectural glass work.  I've spent literally thousands of hours soldering windows.  This type of soldering, at least mechanically is VERY similar to Tig welding in how the material flows and how instantaneously the  material will either burn away or fall thru the project Thanks to everyone in advanceCraig
Reply:Craig, I have the same machine. For the tungsten, on material that is .065, I would say 1/16 or 3/32 tungsten. You don't want to use pure tungsten with this welder; it does not like it. Any color but green....red, gold, orange are the most popular common colors welders have good success with. I use the red(thoriated). On to settings. Frequency at 80 is a good place to start. AC balance/ cleaning at 65. Any less, you will be getting a lot of aluminum on your tungsten..... Upslope time should be short; .1 second. And downslope I just leave it at 0. You will need some start amps, maybe 20-30. Finish amps lower, like 10.As far as the tungsten stickout, 1/8" is fine, give or take. Gas flow at 12 for small projects is fine. Amps at about 80 sounds correct.The reasons you are smoking tungsten are:1. Wrong tungsten. 2. Cleaning set too low; this leaves too much heat in the tungsten, and not enough penetration into the material. You'll fry tips that way.Hope this helps. Paul.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:For general learning about TIG basics, I have found Miller's web site to be an excellent resource:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ur-skills/tig/You can download a lot of good material from Miller's site.Here are some good tips:http://tractors.ucdavis.edu/TOMBELLTIGTIPS1.pdf
Reply:What am I doing to cause the buildup?Anytime you touch the 'lit' tungsten to alum, the alum wicks up onto the tungsten, instantly. It doesn't matter if this is you dipping the filler into the tung, or dipping the tung into the puddle. Touching the 'lit' tungsten is an absolute no no. Once you get 'the bulge' it isn't going to burn off. Quit, grind it off, repoint. (I use a flap disk or belt sander to clean off the bulge. Too much waste breaking it off each time.)Why do the sharpened tips burn off so fast?You don't say what color you're using, green will not hold a point. As Rojo said, don't use green on an inverter. I use a red on my x-former and the tip balls itself as I weld. If the tung isn't melting away, there's nothing wrong with a lightly balled end for alum.Nazrac's 2nd link has good beginner info. Not too much to confuse.I agree with the soldering comparison, both flow the same. It helped me learn.Last edited by Craig in Denver; 10-30-2008 at 09:15 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250