Learning to Tig Anodized Aluminum

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I have been researching procedures for welding anodized aluminum and was wondering if anyone can help.  I have a Dynasty 200dx and I have been welding aluminum for almost a year at work.  Does anyone know how I can learn to weld anodized aluminum?What do I need for my welder?Where can I get practice metal?What procedure do I need to follow?What kind of filler metal?Any help would be greatly appreciated!Thanks a bunch!
Reply:do a search on here it has been covered bump weldingMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:From what I remember reading, bump welding is using the torch to melt the filler and not the puddle melting the filler. Is that correct?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I was researching bump welding on here an other sites, but I still don't completely understand it.  Is this the recommended way to weld anodized or can I just clean it off?  Also, where can I get anodized metal to practice?  I really haven't had a chance to practice the bump method yet because I can't find practice metal : /
Reply:Maybe I do it wrong, but I always sand the anodized finish off.  Otherwise it is like welding with the puddle under a "plastic bubble".  Nobody told me how, that's just what worked for me.
Reply:http://www.brunnerent.com/Tools/Port...=5&strMetaTag=is one expensive source.If you want a cheap source there are two options:1. go to your local aluminum supplier and see if they will give you the names of any companies that use anodized aluminum, those companies are bound to have scrap they might sell to you.2. visit local scrap yard. If you are near Charlotte, NC I have quite a bit of it!
Reply:Bicycle shops generally have anodized aluminum rims that are bent.  scrap buyers. would be a good place.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleFrom what I remember reading, bump welding is using the torch to melt the filler and not the puddle melting the filler. Is that correct?
Reply:So you would typically use a lot more amperage than needed? Wouldn't that melt the material?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:No you are on and off the "trigger". Pulse would be the closest example, but pulse won't do the same thing. Sundown is really the person to best explain it. I don't want to try and explain it and get it wrong. I jave a rough understanding of the process, but have never done it myself, so I'll leave it to the "pro" to explain it in better detail. He's covered this several times in the past. A good search will bring up his posts on the subject..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Anodized bike rims are a good idea! I will try to find some more information and give it a shot this week.  I will keep everyone updated with how it goes and my learning process.Thanks
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...welding&page=2explained hereMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:and here http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...t=bump+weldingMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:I'm a totaly newbie (so this advice may be misguided)but I do have years of working with aluminum experience, just not welding it. If you weld anodized aluminum the weld will NOT be anodized right?, so you'll either have to get the whole welded structure anodized ($$$$$$) or paint the welded joint. There is a clear marine finish I've used before that works well, so does aluminum colored paint.The main benefit of anodizing is it makes a very hard coating that looks uniform and nice. Also prevents corrosion in sea salt water conditions. Mill aluminum 6000 series is very soft unless anodized and scratches easily. The transparent marine paint coatings are not as hard as anodization.That all being said. if you are NOT going to get the whole structure anodized,  and  you are going to paint the welds anyways, you might was well grind/sand/brush/draino/NaOH off the anodization at the weld locations so it is easier to weld. I perfer NaOH. Also what is your goal? Anodized aluminum is expensive and it adds about 25% or more increase in price for stock material. However to get that low price you Typically want a standard AL extrusion anodized you need to buy a minimum of 1000 pounds of it, so right off the bat you need a few thousand in inventory per extrusion you use.If you are getting one off parts dipped and anodized it can easily double material costs. You might be better off using mill aluminum, giving it a brush finish and a clear coat every 8 years. if this is just a hobby project I'd just clear coat the mill aluminum.Last edited by AluminumWelder; 12-10-2012 at 12:06 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dynasty200dxI was researching bump welding on here an other sites, but I still don't completely understand it.  Is this the recommended way to weld anodized or can I just clean it off?  Also, where can I get anodized metal to practice?  I really haven't had a chance to practice the bump method yet because I can't find practice metal : /