I tried aluminum for like 5 mins tonight...

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And I like it!Aluminum test by Jon Kensy, on FlickrIt's a LOT easier than stainless it seems.  Yes my beads are not great, but I feel like I can get this material.  I started on the right there with the short crap beads and made some progress on the left.  Not too bad!  I like how it welds, the noise just freaks me out a bit.
Reply:Can't tell a lot from that pict, but they all look cold to me. That's a fairly common occurrence with 1st alum welds. Post up your settings, material thickness and so on as well as some better picts and we can point you in the right direction..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:DSW - I spent another 5 mins, I think I figured it out further.Aluminum beads by Jon Kensy, on FlickrRunning 3/32 tungsten (ceriated), 95A, 1/16 5356 filler (I think), and some who knows what aluminum I found in my scrap area.
Reply:Material looks like 1/8" to me rather than 3/32", but it's hard to tell with no solid reference other than the 1st pict with the tungsten, that or you telling us what you were using. 95 amps is too low for 1/8", hence what looks like cold beads to me. 95 amps is even borderline for 3/32". I'd want the machine set for 125 amps if not more.You consistency on the dips is good, but you should be dipping more frequently so you have a tighter stack of dimes. This may be deceiving me a bit about the bead being cold, but I don't think so.There's been a lot of threads recently on the topic of basic alum tig. Read a few and you'll see the same advise given over and over again. I doubt you are really the great exception to the general rule when it comes to alum, unless you have a lot of hood time in under your belt.Your welds show promise..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:You are a quick learner! Did you preheat? How did you prep the alum? Next try a fillet! That can be a bbuster at first!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWMaterial looks like 1/8" to me rather than 3/32", but it's hard to tell with no solid reference other than the 1st pict with the tungsten, that or you telling us what you were using. 95 amps is too low for 1/8", hence what looks like cold beads to me. 95 amps is even borderline for 3/32". I'd want the machine set for 125 amps if not more.You consistency on the dips is good, but you should be dipping more frequently so you have a tighter stack of dimes. This may be deceiving me a bit about the bead being cold, but I don't think so.There's been a lot of threads recently on the topic of basic alum tig. Read a few and you'll see the same advise given over and over again. I doubt you are really the great exception to the general rule when it comes to alum, unless you have a lot of hood time in under your belt.Your welds show promise.
Reply:The extra heat will help on the corner. Hit it hard to get the puddle going fast and then back down once you get started. Sometimes you simply need to get the puddle going and then add a bit of filler and it will bridge the two and get the puddle to form on the 2nd piece. It's easier to show than explain..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:Looks good to me, especially for the first time you ran aluminum......Practice and good technique are everything.......Learn the correct approach from the beginning and you won't have bad habits to change later down the road......Machine set-up filler choice and correct torch size takes a while to acquire......This is a V-12 BMW  Oil pan I dry sumped for a kit car Last edited by B_C; 04-20-2012 at 01:41 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Thanks B_C - ah yes the BMW M70B50   Doesn't have the flat plane V12 sound of ferrari but it gets the job done.  Cool project!
Reply:Nice beads John.  It took me much longer to get anything that nice.  Are you using a pedal or finger control?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Nice beads John.  It took me much longer to get anything that nice.  Are you using a pedal or finger control?