Question on Tungsten Balling Up

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I got a Lincoln Precision Tig 225 a little over a month ago. Never have done tig before so I read a lot on here and received advice. Practiced on steel and have pretty good success so I have moved on to aluminum which is the main reason I got the PT225.Was practicing on 1/4 inch aluminum using 3/32 2% Lath Tungsten and I tried pure Tungsten. I grind the tip to a point. They both seem to ball up very quickly. They still seem to weld ok (considering my lack of experience) but when they ball up I can't seem to direct the arc as well.I am using argon set at about 15cfm and machine set on 200 amps.Any suggestions?Thanks!st Picture = Outside Corner Weld 1/4 Alum with filler.2nd Picture = Inside , no filler. Attached ImagesMillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:200 amps with 3/32"  OD ??Use 1/8 " od tungsten.Pure is meant to ball up. Save yourself and others time by studying the link below:GTAW of Aluminum http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=51983Blackbird
Reply:Now that I have been reminded, I see my error. Been to that link before but can't seem to grasp all the info on tig and retrieve it when required so I thought I would ask.Sorry, but thanks for the direction.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:Just an observation, and I may be wrong.  It looks like your dipping and trying to not change the tungsten.  The arc becomes large and difficult to direct when that happens and you will never get a nice bead.  IDK if your machine has AC balance.  If so, using the most DCEN you can will cut down on the balling.  I'm no pro and I am using an inverter that allows much more DCEN than any transformer would.  I can run my D200 at 85% DCEN at 200amps with a 3/32" 2% Lanthanated without a ton of balling.  Just a tiny one on the pointed tip.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Just my (not so humble) opinion, but, I find tread plate a bit more of a challenge than flat plate Al. If you're in the learning stages as your post/pics suggests, you may want to leave the fancy stuff alone for a bit until you develop some consistency on a metal surface that does not change thickness by .125 every inch or so.Just sayin...EricAWS D1.1 Certified SMAW 3G Unlimited, Open Root                             FCAW-G 3G Unlimited, w/BackerCellular Tower Reinforcement Welding on the frozen tundra of the greater Mid-West
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Just an observation, and I may be wrong.  It looks like your dipping and trying to not change the tungsten.  The arc becomes large and difficult to direct when that happens and you will never get a nice bead.  IDK if your machine has AC balance.  If so, using the most DCEN you can will cut down on the balling.  I'm no pro and I am using an inverter that allows much more DCEN than any transformer would.  I can run my D200 at 85% DCEN at 200amps with a 3/32" 2% Lanthanated without a ton of balling.  Just a tiny one on the pointed tip.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welding_SwedeJust my (not so humble) opinion, but, I find tread plate a bit more of a challenge than flat plate Al. If you're in the learning stages as your post/pics suggests, you may want to leave the fancy stuff alone for a bit until you develop some consistency on a metal surface that does not change thickness by .125 every inch or so.Just sayin...Eric
Reply:Free materials are (almost) always a good thing especially when you're trying to learn on a budget. My personal experience is that tread plate just puts a lot more variables into the process if you are trying to learn consistency in moving a puddle.Try the orange 2% ceriated tungsten. Bump your AC balance to a little more on the penetration side and see if that helps. Personally, I love the ceriated on Al. You may find it a little more forgiving too if you happen to "dip" the puddle.Anyway, good luck.EricAWS D1.1 Certified SMAW 3G Unlimited, Open Root                             FCAW-G 3G Unlimited, w/BackerCellular Tower Reinforcement Welding on the frozen tundra of the greater Mid-West