Aluminum TIG Issues and Q's

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I'll admit that I have next to no experience in welding aluminum with TIG. I've done my share of MIging it and TIGging SS and Mild.  Last year I bought a Heliweld II 300amp in hope to doing some without noticing that the guy who owned my place before only place a 40amp supply to my shop.  Tonight I needed to quickly make a partfor my CNC plasma and my spool gun and welder where at my dad's so I switch the Heliweld on.  3/16" Alum Plate, Corner weld.  In the mid setting which is 30-230 amps I could noteven start to get a puddle going. High Range 165-400amp I could even at the bottom of the pedal.  But it would quickly leave mein the dark with a blown 40 amp breaker at the house.How come at the top of the Middle range the puddle won't form, but at the bottom of the high range it could?  I'm on the verge of selling this machine and buying something more modern.  I payed so little for it that it is hard to let go of.  I am pulling a new 100amp line to my shop once the 4ft of snow is gone and it's not longer -21deg C.  Should I keep the beast then?  I only fore see welding 1/4" Alum max.  How nig should I go in an invertor machine in that case.  Don't want to break the bank, but Iwanna learn Alum better.Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:Two things come to mind, if your Airco is like mine, the pedal will only give you the max you set at the panel. To get 230 with the pedal, the panel dial would have to be turned all the way up on mid range.If that was done, then I'd look at your pedal not working correctly.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:That dawned on me after I posted.  I'll look to see were it is set.  I know when I got the machine I tore the pedal down and cleaned/tested it and it was perfect.Edit: So my dial was only at 45-50%.  Try again tomorrow night!!! Doesn't get me over the crazy current draw for now, but for $300 ready to weld I can't complain.Last edited by JKMotorsports; 03-12-2014 at 11:20 PM.Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:Ok cool - you should have plenty of power - I weld 1/4" alum on my mid range, which also tops out at 230 amps.I'm running a 60 amp breaker though.I'd keep it, replacing it with modern will run you serious cash$$.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Bingo Bango.  Couldn't wait. Went back out after cleaning myself up an it wasat 40%.  Set it full and was able to get a decent puddle going.  Now to play with settings and techniques and learn.How much does the HF Intensity come into play?I figure if I can master the technique in a bare bones dino a featured pacted unit would make my welds look way better.Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:If it is not a scratch/drag start, it has HF, period.  What exactly do you mean by "intensity"?  Not all machines have the ability to vary the AC frequency.  Some are fixed at 60Hz, some are adjustable. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarIf it is not a scratch/drag start, it has HF, period.  What exactly do you mean by "intensity"?  Not all machines have the ability to vary the AC frequency.  Some are fixed at 60Hz, some are adjustable.
Reply:Originally Posted by JKMotorsportsBingo Bango.  Couldn't wait. Went back out after cleaning myself up an it wasat 40%.  Set it full and was able to get a decent puddle going.  Now to play with settings and techniques and learn.How much does the HF Intensity come into play?I figure if I can master the technique in a bare bones dino a featured pacted unit would make my welds look way better.