First TIG attempt

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Well after a $540 repair bill on my hobart tigwave 250 that was supposed to be in working order, I finally got to strike an arc.Super old and dirty 1/4 alum. Just redid the garage, no acetone or stainless brush.3/32 2% ceriated, 1/16 5356 rod, 125amps. Not balled but not sharp tungsten. 15cfm A/C balanced was set to 0/balanced. No grinder in the garage yet either, so if I dipped, I didnt regrind.First time, Ive picked up a tig torch.
Reply:Somebody is a natural tig weldor. Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:You need to go up to at least 250 amps for 1/4" alum. You managed to get this to sort of work since you heated the whole piece up. That's a bad habit to get into with alum where too much heat is bad for the base material.I'd strongly suggest you get some 1/8" alum if you want to start with alum. Set your machine to 150 amps minimum.Personally I suggest students start with 1/8" steel, since it's usually easier for them to learn the basics with a material that's a bit easier to weld than with alum..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Yea the first bead was super hard to start, and I was afraid to turn the machine up and blow away my tungsten. Machine was set to 125 and full pedal I just wanted to get the hang of the concept. Do you think 1/8" tungsten would be the proper size for something this thickness? I think I theres a chart in my manual for amperage vs tungsten size.Ill be grabbing some scrap mild and stainless steel this weekend.The middle bead looks the best prob since thats when I ran out of rod, and it was at its hottest temp, definitely the wrong way to do it, Im just happy the machine works hahaLast edited by neverfastenough; 01-05-2013 at 11:53 PM.
Reply:not bad at all for your first time in front of a tig machine keep up the practiceMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by neverfastenoughYea the first bead was super hard to start, and I was afraid to turn the machine up and blow away my tungsten. Machine was set to 125 and full pedal I just wanted to get the hang of the concept. Do you think 1/8" tungsten would be the proper size for something this thickness? I think I theres a chart in my manual for amperage vs tungsten size.Ill be grabbing some scrap mild and stainless steel this weekend.
Reply:Originally Posted by neverfastenoughDo you think 1/8" tungsten would be the proper size for something this thickness? I think I theres a chart in my manual for amperage vs tungsten size.