TIG Aluminum practice

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Hey everyone,     Just wanted to share some pics of some Aluminum practice I did today. Haven't touched a TIG in about 2 weeks (not by choice) but I think they came out okay. I didn't dip my tungsten which is always a plus lol.     So I used a Lincoln Squarewave 175.     Pure tungsten 3/32"     3/32" collet body and collet (imagine that)     1/16" 4043 aluminum filler     Straight Argon.     Base Metal was 1/16" Aluminum i beam. It's was the remnants of a pontoon boat ladder. Aluminum was prepped with acetone. First I put some acetone on a stainless scratch brush (like Zap told me once). Then I rubbed it down with some acetone on a paper towel. (btw should paper towels not be used for this application process? Should I just use a clean terry towel or rag?) Wiped down my 4043 1/16" filler with acetone as well. I just ran some beads along the flat surfaces. SO fun!But anyway heres the pics Attached Images
Reply:Looks like an older brush... id get one of these small toothbrush sized stainless brushes and see if that makes a diff. Looks like a lot of contamination is getting in there.How far back are you pulling the filler in between dips... One of my issues was due to pulling the filler rod out of the argon shield in between dips and it resulted in a noticeable amount of crud.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:That stainless brush looks rusty! (:  Your introducing contaminates from the get go. Use ONLY dedicated stainless brushes.Late to bed, and early to rise. Fish like hell so I don't have to make up lies. Syncrowave 200MM211 & Spoolmate 100
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhLooks like an older brush... id get one of these small toothbrush sized stainless brushes and see if that makes a diff. Looks like a lot of contamination is getting in there.How far back are you pulling the filler in between dips... One of my issues was due to pulling the filler rod out of the argon shield in between dips and it resulted in a noticeable amount of crud.
Reply:Originally Posted by Softwireman78That stainless brush looks rusty! (:  Your introducing contaminates from the get go. Use ONLY dedicated stainless brushes.
Reply:Practice more  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CPractice more
Reply:I  told this to a couple guys a while back, until you get the feel of your heat input and establish a good hand movement with the torch and filler try a thicker piece of scrap..much easier to learn on.......and weld two pieces together not just beads..  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI  told this to a couple guys a while back, until you get the feel of your heat input and establish a good hand movement with the torch and filler try a thicker piece of scrap..much easier to learn on.......and weld two pieces together not just beads..
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI  told this to a couple guys a while back, until you get the feel of your heat input and establish a good hand movement with the torch and filler try a thicker piece of scrap..much easier to learn on.......and weld two pieces together not just beads..
Reply:oh yeah i forgot to mention your tig finger. nice!
Reply:Originally Posted by emeraldbisonAs far as joining two pieces together do you think, judging from the pics alone, that I should move on to that next step? Because my beads are crooked, my spacing could be better.
Reply:Hahahaha actually those are heat proof tubes I run my fuel line through on the drag bile.......I guess they could be tig fingers.......I burn my gloves up three times a week (Cotton Gloves) maybe I should use a tig finger?  Yeah welding test coupons is what your going to have to do to pass a level in school or get a job at a company so why not practice with a coupon type scrap?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHahahaha actually those are heat proof tubes I run my fuel line through on the drag bile.......I guess they could be tig fingers.......I burn my gloves up three times a week (Cotton Gloves) maybe I should use a tig finger?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWith beads on plate like that we wouldn't sign you off to move on to joints yet. I'd want to see straight, reasonably consistent beads 1st. I'm not looking for perfect, just beads that show me you have built up enough hood time to get the basics down. I don't see that in those picts.