2%

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I bought a welding book off amazon.com and it says in there that using thoriated tungsten (red stripe) to weld aluminum will contaminate the weld. But I always thought that the 2% was real good for AC welding because it handled the heat real good. What do you guys use?
Reply:The procedure handbook of arc welding (by Lincoln electric) says thoriated doesnt hold as stable an arc with ac GTAW.  Says to use Pure (green) or Zirconiated (brown) tungsten....
Reply:Alot of the guys on here, with inverters, Use 2% for aluminum. It holds it's shape really well. I have a Miller 320 A/BP, which is a transformer machine, and it works better for me to use the pure tungsten. I've tried the 2%, and it doesn't work as good for me. Go to weldingsupply.com, and do a search for Tungsten. It gives a little info about each of the different types.---------------------John
Reply:The right way is to use green tungsten (pure tungsten for aluminum A/C), If you read the side of a full box of tungstens you will see an explanation of all the tungstens and their purpose. Read welding books about it.Some beginning welders say 2% thoriated can be used with an inverter.Just do it the right way. Form a ball on the end of your pure tungsten.Don't be lazy. Many new beginning welders are getting too much information from the wrong source.If you do not who to believe, look at the books. Check the facts.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald Branscom Many new beginning welders are getting too much information from the wrong source.
Reply:Hotrodder,Donald doesn't believe "anything" that's been published about welding in the last 20yrs.The fact that Miller (who just happens to build a few tig welders) recommends NOT using pure tungsten in their inverters, doesn't mean anything to him.Being old school myself, I also grew up thinking red for steel, green for aluminum.Several years ago I made the transition to blue for aluminum (even though I use a Sync 250) and never looked back.  Guess there's a difference in being "steeped in tradition" and being "blind to change".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:Being that technology moves right along, even the newer transformer welders run aluminum quite well with 2%thor. tungsten. And yes, for an inverter welder, you have to use the tougher tungsten, you will just blow out green tungsten time and again. I can thrash 1/8" green with 190-200amps on my inverter welder after only a short time. Usually it winds up blowing off the tip, rather than when using it on an old transformer machine, you'd just see the ball get a bit bigger. If you have $20 and can only get one tungsten that day, red will do both AC&DC equally well on a transformer machine, especially a modern one.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.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianstickI bought a welding book off amazon.com and it says in there that using thoriated tungsten (red stripe) to weld aluminum will contaminate the weld. But I always thought that the 2% was real good for AC welding because it handled the heat real good. What do you guys use?
Reply:I use what ever.  I don't like the green because I prefer a point to a ball.  Red,orange, black, gold....They are all the same when I dip em.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomMany new beginning welders are getting too much information from the wrong source.