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I think I see an aluminum job coming in sometime next week (6061T6), and I was wondering which TIG electrode you guys prefer for this kind of work..??I'm pretty sure only 3/4" to 1" tubing and maybe 1/8" plate are being used ...
Reply:I would guess it depends on how thick the material is, not how big. I use 3/32" for most of my tig on aluminum. For 1/4" and up, I just go with 1/8" tungsten. I use the 2% thor/ or red labeled. I also have some pure tungsten, but I have an inverter welder, so it is not really an issue which tungsten I use.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:3/32 red.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Good info on tungsten here:http://www.diamondground.comContrary to all the OLD and OUTDATED info you will read, you DO NOT need to use pure tungsten electrodes for AC aluminum. As Zap always says, go red (2% thoriated). Or Ceriated or Lanthanated, you can read about the differences, but personally I see not logical reason to use pure, ever.
Reply:We use White and or Brown, but mostly Brown. I do not know the reason, but that is what they want us to use.
Reply:I use mostly red, but anything pointed will work. I do not use pure because its an inverter. A pointed electrode has a more focused arc. I balled 3 1/8" Red and Orange on AC 65% + wave 118 amps, 90 Hz. I turned it down to 55% + and it wouldn't do it.Arcmaster 185.David Real world weldin. When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I like to use Ceriated whenever possible.
Reply:My Lincoln operator's manual says 3\32" red for all-around use.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:I actually always use the orange labeled tungsten. The size depends on the thickness of metal. pure tungsten tends to blow out.
Reply:Red!!
Reply:3/32" blue (2% lanthanated). I got three of them free from Diamond Ground to try out (along with some others). I can't complain about a supplier that will let me try some free before buying.If you have questions get a sales guy (or gal) on the phone and they can steer you towards what you might want to try and what will likely work well for you depending on what you are doing an whether you are paranoid about infintesimal radioactivity (I am).Favorite right now is a Miller Syncro 200.Tons of tools and I blame at least one of them when things don't go right. |
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