Aluminum with a Maxstar?

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I have read that aluminum can be TIG welded on DCEN. Is this true?
Reply:Not really.  You need AC, or DC+ with a spool gun.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Yes, it's possible, takes lots of practice. Read recent post here: http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...&highlight=tigJohn -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Thanks for the info, that answered my question.
Reply:I tried it with my Maxstar 150 several times. Never made an acceptable weld. Made aluminum stick together, but that was all I got.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:One of Lincolns Techs showed me how to weld al with DCENusing 100% helium @ 60 cfh The helium acts like a torch and blows the al oxide to the sides and lets you dip just like AC Costly as heck with the price of He but it will let you do the job if all you have is DC
Reply:You can stick weld aluminum with the proper rod, correct? Has anyone had good success with aluminum stick?Billy
Reply:Originally Posted by bbseayYou can stick weld aluminum with the proper rod, correct? Has anyone had good success with aluminum stick?Billy
Reply:Back in the 70s Eutectics Tech showed me how to use an al electrode he used acetylene only on the work and kept it up untill the soot  was gone and then used the electrodethe preheat from the Act. let him run the rod quite goodwe were welding some 1\4 "
Reply:Originally Posted by trwatksBack in the 70s Eutectics Tech showed me how to use an al electrode he used acetylene only on the work and kept it up untill the soot  was gone and then used the electrodethe preheat from the Act. let him run the rod quite goodwe were welding some 1\4 "
Reply:I was playing with some Aluminum and my Maxstar 150s last week.  I was welding 1/8" aluminum.  It welds easy.  I never preheated and I think that was a problem.  Your amps have to be low enough for you to feed the rod.  Too high and the rod keep burning faster than you can feed and arc is lost.  Also too high and large molten chunks of metal fly and possibly hit you in top of the head and cause much pain for weeks, being unable to brush or comb your hair because of the large painful hole.  The beads are promising.  It is easy and a well defined puddle in puddle.  The flux is a pain, though once removed the beads are nice and shiney.   I only ran stringers on flat metal.   I used Techweld 1300 3/32" rods at 50 amps.  I think I paid $35 for 10lbs.The supplier said Tennessee Valley Authority uses a lot of stick aluminum rods.I have also played with o/a welding aluminum.  It is just too messy.  But it is quite strong, If bend test is an acceptable measure.  I have a couple of cans Al of flux, nasty stuff.  In the hand of the right person the welds can rival the electric processes.I think most pictures posted in this forum were people, as myself, showing it could be done.  How  with some practice Stick welded Al would not be a bad choice in the field.  The mess is the real determining factor as to if it is worth the effort.Last edited by tapwelder; 09-21-2007 at 12:34 AM.