First TIG weld - Critique please

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Please tell me how my TIG welds are. What can I do better? The hole on the end was because there was too much of a gap between the two pieces, so I know about that, but everything else, Im listening. Thanks.
Reply:Ok, the beginning of your bead looks good, but towards the end you were putting too much heat into the metal.  That is why it blew out.  Aluminum is very sensitive to heat input.  On a thin piece like in the pics, you started out at a great temp, but as you go along, back off the foot pedal.  As the base metal gets warm, you don't need to add as much heat to keep the puddle going.  Try a fillet weld....those are fun.  For a beginner your welds look good....learning to read aluminum comes with practice.
Reply:Thanks for the input. Ill try that tomorrow and try and get some more pics.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldrwomnOk, the beginning of your bead looks good, but towards the end you were putting too much heat into the metal.  That is why it blew out.  Aluminum is very sensitive to heat input.  On a thin piece like in the pics, you started out at a great temp, but as you go along, back off the foot pedal.  As the base metal gets warm, you don't need to add as much heat to keep the puddle going.  Try a fillet weld....those are fun.  For a beginner your welds look good....learning to read aluminum comes with practice.
Reply:First bit is very good, remainder is too hot.Looks like you had a bevel on the sheet edge, probably don't need for this thin section, and would make it easier, less problem of burning through.Don't try to get full penetration when you're just starting to practice, its much easier to avoid burnig through if you reduce the amps and just try a smaller partial penetration corner weld.Tack weld both ends of a short piece like this, longer pieces more tack in between, this will help hold the joint tightly together so you don't get opening gaps.Are you cleaning very thoroughly just prior to welding, I don't see any indication that you did?Clean both front and back sides and the edge.Acetone or alcohol to remove oils, even oils from your hand and gloves are not good.A clean stainless steel wire brush, used only for aluminum.If you don't have a foot pedal to cool down the amps as you go, you'll have to speed up travel to cool down, or just stop and weld short sections.
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserFirst bit is very good, remainder is too hot.Looks like you had a bevel on the sheet edge, probably don't need for this thin section, and would make it easier, less problem of burning through.Don't try to get full penetration when you're just starting to practice, its much easier to avoid burnig through if you reduce the amps and just try a smaller partial penetration corner weld.Tack weld both ends of a short piece like this, longer pieces more tack in between, this will help hold the joint tightly together so you don't get opening gaps.Are you cleaning very thoroughly just prior to welding, I don't see any indication that you did?Clean both front and back sides and the edge.Acetone or alcohol to remove oils, even oils from your hand and gloves are not good.A clean stainless steel wire brush, used only for aluminum.If you don't have a foot pedal to cool down the amps as you go, you'll have to speed up travel to cool down, or just stop and weld short sections.
Reply:Yeah, this is just some scrap aluminum from school.
Reply:16, why? We dont have access to any cleaners like that at school.
Reply:Because at what your doing at 16..By 22 you'll be a master!  ...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:damn playing with TIG at 16, my azz is 32 and i still have jet to touch a TIG machine let alone play with one....Millermatic 175 MIGMiller Spectrum 375 PlasmaLincoln AC/DC 225 BuzzboxM-Tech NE5 Tube bender withcustom CNC machined 3/4" think main arms
Reply:16??  Gees what was I doing at 16?Practice your bead on a flat peice for a bit so you can get use to the characteristics of aluminum then weld your corners together Lap/Fillets etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by vavasssc16??  Gees what was I doing at 16?