cleaning aluminum for TIG?

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I have always used acetone, but the guys at the new shop say they have always used denatured alcohol. Are they full of it, or does alcohol also work to clean / prep aluminum for TIG?Thanks
Reply:That depends what ya meen buy clean you mean surface oil or residue correctAnother day in paradise You only have to be smarter than the metal".   WeldiniMaking an honest living is nothing more than stealing from someone who can afford it and everyone feels good when it's over .      Weldini
Reply:We use both.  Some stuff won't come off with acetone and some wont come off with alcohol. After these solvents are used, the metal is either scraped, wire brushed or milled for oxide removal, blown down with missile grade air or nitrogen, then fitted while wearing lint free gloves, then welded.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaWe use both.  Some stuff won't come off with acetone and some wont come off with alcohol. After these solvents are used, the metal is either scraped, wire brushed or milled for oxide removal, blown down with missile grade air or nitrogen, then fitted while wearing lint free gloves, then welded.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaWe use both.  Some stuff won't come off with acetone and some wont come off with alcohol. After these solvents are used, the metal is either scraped, wire brushed or milled for oxide removal, blown down with missile grade air or nitrogen, then fitted while wearing lint free gloves, then welded.
Reply:trav,I wouldn't be quite so quick to knock Pangea.  I "guarantee" he's forgotten a lot more about tig welding than you'll ever know.Frankly, from reading a few of your latest posts, you're putting out some real BS.  All you're really doing is proving how little you know about tig welding.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:Thanks for the compliment SundownIII!  I should have made a disclaimer that not everyone will need this level of cleanliness but I didn't want to sound all "self important" or sound like I was bragging. That aint my style.The stuff that I weld on is experimental for manned space flight and must be processed in a highly controlled manner. I would not recommend this level of cleanliness for most applications.  I was just giving an example of how far you can go; if required, to maintain ultra clean requirements. When I was welding in fab shops and oil field the cleaning requirements were much less stringent and wire brushing was usually all a part got unless it was something especially cruddy.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIItrav,I wouldn't be quite so quick to knock Pangea.  I "guarantee" he's forgotten a lot more about tig welding than you'll ever know.Frankly, from reading a few of your latest posts, you're putting out some real BS.  All you're really doing is proving how little you know about tig welding.
Reply:Nice work!Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:looks good to me !
Reply:I'm pretty new to this forum but have certainly seen sundowns negative side and I have to say that was one hell of a good call out, very curious to see if sundown posts anything....
Reply:I know nothing HOGAN.......Lmao......Here we go again......Hey Dave you still at Wal-Mart ? have a good Christmas......I tried to call you but your cell phone message center was full..........[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ag4nkSh7Q[/ame]Last edited by B_C; 12-16-2011 at 04:22 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Hey Bill!  My phone is as dead as a fried chicken! The battery will only hold a charge for about 30 minutes at a time. Waiting to see if the Zombie Apocalypse happens in the next few weeks before I buy a new one.Hope you have had plenty of work and are healthy.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Bumpity bump, I'm curious to hear the responses. lol.How do you know the blacksmith's dog? When you hollar at him he makes a bolt for the door!
Reply:Nice looking work.Miller Diversion 180Lincoln Mig Pak 5000 HDHypertherm 45Uni-Spotter Stud WelderOxy Set-up with Harris TorchMiller 30FX Arc StationMiller Elite - Hockey Canada Helmet
Reply:Hey Trav, I'm just starting out in Tig but hope  I can lay it down that nice one day!Don't leave the forum just because of one guy's BS.Well Sundown, do you have some pix of your work?AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Originally Posted by travisc454Oh, sundown here is a pic of one of my anodized welds that that you say is impossible to do without "bump welding" And tried to say it cant be done without an etch zone. Just because you cant do it doesn't mean it can be done.
Reply:Originally Posted by con_fuse9Besides missile grade air , can you tell us what your setup was to make these welds?
Reply:well where i work we don't use shop air on parts cause of oil/misc contamination we use nitrogen andwe use acetone and denatured alcohol and micro polish then ultrasonic clean the part then a stainless wire brushThe stuff i work on is  nuclear stuff and weapons systems and space stuff mainly monels inconels stainless and aluminumLast edited by WeldorWes; 12-17-2011 at 03:59 AM.Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:absolutley no cleaning, no damn pedal either Attached Images--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Nice work Travis.  Please stay on the forum, we can all learn from each other.  Great call out BTW.Last edited by Drf255; 12-17-2011 at 06:00 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Hey Travis, how's it going?From your last pic, I see possibly 4043 for filler, 6063 for tube, and 6061 for plate? I a see a nice crater at the end of the weld. This would certainly be a result of trigger switch  control. Please try to eliminate those craters, as they result in a stress riser. But otherwise you do a really nice job with the trigger. Can't imagine how good you would be with a wide current control to boot.For someone that has only been doing this for such a short time, you are really coming along fast. Did your school have you do basic certs?Keep up the good work and keep posting pictures of your progress.Last edited by shovelon; 12-17-2011 at 10:23 AM.Reason: fateWeld 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:Hi Travis.Cudos to you on your tube creations. 6063 sure does nice bends. Combined with the clip notcher those fitups are to die for.You are running your welds a little hot, as I see the 4043 is producing some silicon clumps and veins across the tops of the beads. 5356 will get rid of them, but you are going to want to work on those craters, as 5356 will tend to crack at the craters if left like that.Dynastys sure are nice huh?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:How about aluminum to stainless welds?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHey Travis, how's it going?From your last pic, I see possibly 4043 for filler, 6063 for tube, and 6061 for plate? I a see a nice crater at the end of the weld. This would certainly be a result of trigger switch  control. Please try to eliminate those craters, as they result in a stress riser. But otherwise you do a really nice job with the trigger. Can't imagine how good you would be with a wide current control to boot.For someone that has only been doing this for such a short time, you are really coming along fast. Did your school have you do basic certs?Keep up the good work and keep posting pictures of your progress.Originally Posted by DonoharmI believe you're talking about my picture? anyway u're close, 60xx tube(4mm wall) and plate(10mm) with 5356 filler(3.2mm) at 260A , you're also right about the crater, I gave it a bit more downslope , this one was made with the tack settings .
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHi Travis.Cudos to you on your tube creations. 6063 sure does nice bends. Combined with the clip notcher those fitups are to die for.You are running your welds a little hot, as I see the 4043 is producing some silicon clumps and veins across the tops of the beads. 5356 will get rid of them, but you are going to want to work on those craters, as 5356 will tend to crack at the craters if left like that.Dynastys sure are nice huh?
Reply:Just wire brushed:190A, 75%, 160Hz, 5356 filler.- "If ya can't be handsome, ya may as well be handy!"   HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln SP125+Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38
Reply:Originally Posted by travisc454What's up with that? Its hilarious, but last time you posted that it was used to disrespect me (we were "discussing" autogenous aluminum) or at least thats how i saw it. Not sure if thats what your trying to do now? But hey, at least you show pictures of your work (and that is meant to be a joke)
Reply:No Crater.......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...g?t=1299884435  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CNo Crater.......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...g?t=1299884435
Reply:Was a 10" angle grinder used to clean that?
Reply:Clean edges with a file.Then wipe down.
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoonClean edges with a file.Then wipe down.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldingWookieAnd that is going to remove the surface oxides how ??????????
Reply:Travis - I am new to welding (practicing) alumium, and am only a hobby welder in steel (some MIG and mostly stick).  Very Nice work!!   I just have a question re: your statement on not needing to clean as much as most say.   Is that just when using TIG, with the ability to use AC for cleaning?  I only have a MIG setup, and am thinking I have to continue to clean alot (with alcohol or acetone, and a wire brush).  Any advice would be appreciated!
Reply:Clean as needed for the quality welds that you are trying for. If you are making fenders for a hog trailer you wont need the same clean as you would for carrying heroes into space.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Wow, some nice welds being posted. Also very cool to hear from guys who weld really high end stuff.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:Originally Posted by travisc454You don't have to remove the surface oxides. Thats what the electrode positive portion of the ac cycle is for. I never use a wire brush.  I welded this last night. 250 hertz, 130 amps, 1/16 orange (all i had would rather had 3/32). I have said this before, I'll say it agin. I think people should spend less time cleaning aluminum and more time welding it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmhmmmm... u sure?
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CDon't be so picky Santa won't bring you any presents......LOL
Reply:Really I'll be home all day......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Wookie? you never seen a convex body file?Its a suggestion, to a question posted far to often.
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoonClean edges with a file.Then wipe down.
Reply:A file on straight cut aluminum or a burr in the curves is what I use for cleaning the edge of plasma cut aluminum.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.