Aluminum tig questions.

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A friend wants to make a box from 3003 diamond plate. I took a few pieces to dial in my welder. It is a Lincoln Precision Tig 225.I had 2% 3/32 tungsten in the torch so I set the machine to 124 amps AC, auto balance, no pulse, 15cfm pure argon,  put a small ball on the tungsten and tried to make some beads. Pieces were cleaned with scotc hbright, wire brushed, cleaned with acetone and wire brushed again. New brush and scotchbright.They are labeled 1 on the coupon. All it did was melt away.I switched to a Pure put the small ball on and was able to produce the beads labeled 2 and 3. 2 was no filler 3 with added filler.Second picture is a corner bead on the diamond plate with the pure tungsten.Reading on here, and in the manual, it is my understanding I should be able to weld aluminum with the 2%.Using the 2% was I just too hot or am I having other issues?Thanks moose Attached ImagesTimmetalcraft by mooseSoutheast Michiganhttps://www.facebook.com/Metalcraftbymoose  Stupid Hurts!!
Reply:Looks too cold, the start of the weld isn't fused well. Also looks like you are getting contamination from somewhere. Check the hose and torch for leaks.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I've never run a Precision TIG but use 2% for aluminum on my Syncrowave all the time with a dull point.  Don't try to get it to form a ball.If it's running too hot, back off on the peddle.Bead on finished item looks nice.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:2% what tungsten? 2% Throriated was my long standing favorite for AC welding for quite some time. I'm just now warming up to some of the others. It almost looks like you were sneaking up on it to get the puddle going, and then the piece heat-soaked and just melted away. I've always loved the way 3000 series aluminum welds. Welds like butta.
Reply:Originally Posted by Zmechanic2% what tungsten? 2% T
Reply:You haven't listed the material thickness so it's impossible to tell if your amps are correct or not. 125 amps would be about right for 14 ga alum. If this is 1/8", you'd want to be up around at least 150 amps if not higher.3/32" Tungsten is borderline when you get up around 150 amps AC if you are using Lanthanated or Ceriated. You'd need to be running 1/8" tungsten if you are using pure, and many times I simply jump up to 1/8" on Lathanated and ceriated anyways to be safe..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:Originally Posted by DSWYou haven't listed the material thickness so it's impossible to tell if your amps are correct or not. 125 amps would be about right for 14 ga alum. If this is 1/8", you'd want to be up around at least 150 amps if not higher.3/32" Tungsten is borderline when you get up around 150 amps AC if you are using Lanthanated or Ceriated. You'd need to be running 1/8" tungsten if you are using pure, and many times I simply jump up to 1/8" on Lathanated and ceriated anyways to be safe.