Lincoln Idealarc Aluminum welding tips

admin

I'm going to start trying some aluminum welding  soon.  My machine is a Lincoln Idealarc 250, its an older model (mid 90's I think).  I have a weldcraft wp 17 torch that I just put a gas lens setup on.  My machine has a setting for  "spark" (which is the high freq) I know it gets set to "on" and then the voltage to AC.  Any other tips or tricks?  I learned to weld on a tricked out brand new Miller with all the digital bells and whistles and I know that my equipment probably wont give me the same results but I'm hoping some of you more experienced folks can give me a trick "tune up" for this thingThanks
Reply:Set amps and weld not much to those machinesMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Thats what I was thinking.  I still have to get some gas for it, I've heard of people welding aluminum with Argon, same as still.  Whats the drawback for doing that?
Reply:Originally Posted by RacinJasonThats what I was thinking.  I still have to get some gas for it, I've heard of people welding aluminum with Argon, same as still.  Whats the drawback for doing that?
Reply:I think you need to go back and re-read my post.  At no point did I say I was "an experienced tigger," as you put it.  In fact I'm quite the opposite, which is why I came on here in the first place and hoped to get answers FROM the experienced folks on here, not someone trying to be a smart a$$.
Reply:Jacin - start searching the site.  There is plenty of information for you to mine then start to ask questions.  It requires an effort on your part for you to learn.  Welcome  to the board.Charlie
Reply:I watched a few videos on youtube after getting my dialarc 250 hf at auction.  Anyways after watching maybe 10 minutes worth of videos I went to the shop turned the hf on continuous swapped the leads put on ac and stomped the foot pedal down and went to figuring out how to make beads within 30 minutes I was fusing 2 pieces together and had them getting plenty of fusion and looking good.  Just make sure the aluminum is clean and wipe it with acetone all I did.  What worked for me just watch how they make the puddle and just turn your amps up til you get it flowing like you should.
Reply:You have a regulator and hose. Right?How bout a foot control?How bout rod?Oh, and manual?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:Jason , i have an ideal arc 300/300. I recommend starting your spark dial setting at 5 and adjust from there (if your machine is laid out that way). I set my gas pressure on around 18 and my post flow at the minimum. Set your amp range on medium or high and stomp the pedal. Btw make sure your cooler is pumping because mine didn't last week and i melted down a wp 20.. Good Luck!