Tig Welding Aluminum

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If you are Tig welding clean aluminum is it better to set the Argon flow to deeper penteration or set it to more cleaning?
Reply:What the heck are you talking about.Are you referring to the BALANCE control?I'd suggest you go to Millerwelds.com.  Click on the Resources tab.  Download a copy of their Tig Handbook.  Better yet, order the Student Pack.  Includes a hardcopy copy of the Tig Handbook, a GMAW Handbook, a GMAW-P Handbook, as well as a bunch of other goodies.  $25 including shipping.It may not tell you everything you need to know, but it will help in asking an intelligent question.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Hello larry58, as SundownIII mentioned, it's likely that you are referring to the arc balance control. The short rundown on this feature is the amount of time that the AC current is spending on the DC+ side and the DC- side. DC+ will increase the cleaning action of the arc but possibly at the expense of the stability and longevity of the tungsten. Running with settings favoring this side of the dial will also generally reduce the useable output available from the machine. On the other side of the spectrum, DC- will provide more useable heat to make a particular weld at the possible expense of not providing enough cleaning action and resulting in a "dirty" puddle. If you can, experiment with the balance control settings and see if you can notice when you've gone too far one way or the other. If you're favoring the "penetration" side too much you'll probably have junk floating in the weld puddle while you are welding and not have a bright, shiny, clear puddle, the resulting finished bead may have a dull finish with dark specks in it and might not wet out very well at the toes. If you are favoring the "cleaning" side of the dial too much it's possible that you may see the end of the tungsten balling up to a point where the ball is greater in diameter than the diameter of the tungsten, this isn't good either. You may also notice the end of the tungsten eroding while you are welding and "spitting", this is where small minute parts of the tungsten are transferring into the weld pool, you may see this as a momentary dull spot floating in the weld pool and the end of the tungsten may exhibit small nodules erradically placed near the point. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:ha no i wasn't drinkin. i was just always brought up to believe there is no such thing as a dumb question. and this forum is to help people
Reply:hahaha don't get your panties in a bunch guys. This is a welding forum...full of welders..have you guys that are crying ever stepped foot in a shop or onto a construction site? Get used to it or find another hobby. Balance control is what are you refering too OP. You have your answer. Good luck.fayetteville huh? I used to live there.Last edited by Rojodiablo; 05-16-2010 at 09:15 PM.Reason: oops
Reply:Good day gentlemen, jrw159Last edited by Rojodiablo; 05-16-2010 at 09:13 PM.Reason: Cleaning house.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIYea, and I really do believe that there are "dumb questions".
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIjrw,In fact, that's one of the problems with education today.  Johnny's being told he did a great job, when in fact, Johnny screwed up.  Everyone is supposed to get a trophy, even if you didn't play the game.Yea, and I really do believe that there are "dumb questions".
Reply:You guys are funny!!!!Go hot, or go home!
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIWhat the heck are you talking about.Are you referring to the BALANCE control?I'd suggest you go to Millerwelds.com.  Click on the Resources tab.  Download a copy of their Tig Handbook.  Better yet, order the Student Pack.  Includes a hardcopy copy of the Tig Handbook, a GMAW Handbook, a GMAW-P Handbook, as well as a bunch of other goodies.  $25 including shipping.It may not tell you everything you need to know, but it will help in asking an intelligent question.
Reply:Now, look here guys: I got a couple responses about this one, and I get here and look at the thread. What I see is one guy gives the straight skinny for the exact answer. One guy opens with an explanation that the OP might want to get himself more read up on his machine before he has some other probems maybe. While not soft as a baby's bottom, it was a fair response, and the advice is WARRANTED. After these first couple posts, I got the women's version of how to pile on a thread. FWIW, the rest of you did MORE to antagonize and instigate Sundown than you did to answer the OP's question. So, I edited or deleted everything useless in this one. Next time you want to whine about a guy's post, look back to this thread, and think for a second; are you making it any better running your keyboard trap, or are you making a situation get blown out of hand?Thread closed. The OP has his answer. Set the gas for 15-20, set the balance for 65 and start there.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.