GTAW Practice

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Thought I would share a pic of my first aluminum beads.  Second day on the Tig. Please comment and critique....damn craters  160 Amps3/32 5356 Filler3/32 Pure Tungsten1/4 Plate Al Attached Images
Reply:Hey Sled,Those look like some really decent beads for your first encounter with aluminum. You appear to have the "feel" of welding aluminum and only need to concentrate on the finish tapering off your heat and the continuing addition of filler to eliminate the crater. It takes some practice, but you look like you can master it quite handily with some more practice. Myself, I really like 5356 and use it the most, but do use 4043 when the job will result with a better welded joint. Like anything, the more you do it, the better you get. Keep up the practice & concentrate....you will get there.... Nice work...... DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:If you have a current control, foot or hand, or a downslope setting, you can pause on the crater, dab some wire, and circle around the crater as you downslope the current.
Reply:Looks good from here..Clean the aluminum a little better..Yeahh Yeahhhh some will say "why"Because you will have a better weld.period.The craters are the starting point for cracks..Like pulser stated..Come to the end..Go around in small circles and dip as you are letting off the heat..Try to make a tit...for tat..end.....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:What was it you used to clean the aluminum with?
Reply:Acetone and a stainless wire brush.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks for the tips.  Ill try the cirlces while letting off the pedal next time.  Cleaned it with a flap disc and a SS wire brush, both of which i dedicated to Al only.  No acetone allowed the the school shop....safety concerns I guess.