Miller SW Setup Question

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Alright, finally got my Miller SW 200 -  ... only waiting on the power to be setup for it tommorow .... so I thought I'd ask some newbie questionfirst off ... some background ... I'd like to use it to weld aluminum .... and was wondering what kind of torch tip setup I should have - and what kind of filler rod  I should be using I currently have 75% argon/25 CO2 - - but I believe I should be using 100% Argon? is that correct?Any advice would be greatly appreciated .... especially other things I should get before starting .... do I need a grinder?thanks again
Reply:Originally Posted by AcademyKP03Alright, finally got my Miller SW 200 -  ... only waiting on the power to be setup for it tommorow .... so I thought I'd ask some newbie questionfirst off ... some background ... I'd like to use it to weld aluminum .... and was wondering what kind of torch tip setup I should have - and what kind of filler rod  I should be using I currently have 75% argon/25 CO2 - - but I believe I should be using 100% Argon? is that correct?Any advice would be greatly appreciated .... especially other things I should get before starting .... do I need a grinder?thanks again
Reply:What kind of welding helmet shade level would be recommended for using a tig on alum?
Reply:Originally Posted by AcademyKP03What kind of welding helmet shade level would be recommended for using a tig on alum?
Reply:Okay, here are some basic questions that I'm a bit hazy on .... this is my FIRST TIME tig welding -- so everything is completely alien to me, please keep this in mind ......on my SW 200 -- I need to have it selected on TIG mode .... checkhave 100% argon setup .... checkrecommended flow rate?Then there is a balance / DIG selectionIf I want to TIG ALUM - believe this should be be on BALANCE, correct?Also I have the PPS vs Pulser selectionfrom reading the manual, sounds like I should be on Pulser .....What should I choose?I have the foot pedal setup ..... is this where the process starts?  I mean, when I startup everything and position the torch along the aluminum ... when I press the pedal does that "start" the process? thanks for any input ....
Reply:Ok, i'll break it to you. As it's your first time TIG welding, starting on aluminium will be a absolute nightmare mate, if you can, practice first, preferably alot.I couldn't tell you about the little foibles with your machine though, or flowrate which has escaped me for now.My 2 cents anyway...Ceriated Tungsten should be a ball tip...AC Setup(If not you'll be there forever)Yes pure argon...Furiously clean the metal to avoid trouble...Arc length the same as the tungsten thickness.Note... Aluminium has no colour change when heated and the heat travels very quickly, watch this...JeeMetaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Is pulser when it has two different heats very rapidly? It fuses the metal then allows cooling rapidly i think, yeah do that mate...JeeMetaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Originally Posted by JeeIs pulser when it has two different heats very rapidly? It fuses the metal then allows cooling rapidly i think, yeah do that mate...Jee
Reply:from reading the manual pulser - changes the amperage really quickly for a better bead ....
Reply:Good luck anyway...Metaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Alright, made my first arc ... yeah, it was pretty ugly .... but liked how the footpedal worked .... i barely pressed it ... heard the gas coming out .... and the weld ... if you could even call it that ... was non-existent .. looked like a burn mark ... I had 1/8 thick angle aluminum setup ..... had 10 PPS -  my electrode melted down really quickly .... and my filer rode ... came anywhere near the electrode .. kinda just melted away in pools of globs ...uglyI'm going to the store to get lots more electode/ red tipped / and a s/s brush .... oh and pickup an automatic darkening helmet ....post pictures soonthanks for the advice
Reply:By the way,  Originally Posted by AcademyKP03Alright, made my first arc ... yeah, it was pretty ugly .... but liked how the footpedal worked .... i barely pressed it ... heard the gas coming out .... and the weld ... if you could even call it that ... was non-existent .. looked like a burn mark ...  I had 1/8 thick angle aluminum setup ..... had 10 PPS -  my electrode melted down really quickly .... and my filer rode ... came anywhere near the electrode .. kinda just melted away in pools of globs ...uglyI'm going to the store to get lots more electode/ red tipped / and a s/s brush .... oh and pickup an automatic darkening helmet ....post pictures soonthanks for the advice
Reply:should I be using balance? or pulse?Last edited by AcademyKP03; 11-22-2007 at 11:14 AM.
Reply:Up to you, pulse heats then cools all in a split second. I'd imagine balance is continous heat. Try them both, see what fit's...Metaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Originally Posted by JeeUp to you, pulse heats then cools all in a split second. I'd imagine balance is continous heat. Try them both, see what fit's...