Tungsten for TIG aluminum?

admin

Is there a good tungsten for aluminum that is best?I just tried on my new square wave 175 with 2% thoriated and it basically immediately balled up my sharp point and then melted it back into the cup.....I can do steel just fine on DCEN but when I flip to AC for aluminum everything went straight to hell......Any ideas?Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Is that an inverter ? My guess is yes because it balls up. If its not an inverter try green (pure) but it will still ball up on a transformer machine and from what I have read its normal. Green isn't recommended on an inverter, not sure why but that is what the manual says on mine.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 know nothing about welding..so just ignore what I am about to say...but the 30 minutes of instruction I got with my Miller Heliarc machine from the seller... in 1972 ....indicated that for aluminum I would WANT a ball on the end... (???)which may be reinforced by some of this search... https://www.google.com/search?q=ball...=hp&channel=npand I might have missed the question... so I am covered in all directions... I have told you I know nothing...and have admitted I might not even have understood the question... LOLWeldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Ceriated ( orange band ) sharpened to a point with small flat on the end.
Reply:I use a only green tungsten at my PrecisionTig 275, transformer based machine. But in my Invertec V205 I can change the frequency, and working at high frequency, more than 100 Hz, works better 2% thoriated, to focus the arc, and maintain the tungsten sharp with a small ball at the endMauricio
Reply:Maybe my Tungsten is just to small...... 1/16th is what I have..... Maybe it won't take the amps....I'll still get some Ceriated though and try again.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Fexal,Not trying to sound like an azz, but have you even done a search on tungsten selection.Just a couple threads down from your's is a poster complaining about his thoriated tungsten and aluminum.It's been stated/discussed many times that thoriated is probably NOT the best tungsten for welding in AC.  For the transformer based machines (like your's) many swear by the older pure which forms a ball.  If you prefer the ball, the zirconated tungsten will handle the heat a little better than the pure, but will still form the ball.On both my transformer and inverter, I've gone exclusively to the 2% Lanthanated for AC welding.For me, the thoriated tends to split and form small balls around the perimeter of the tungsten when welding in AC.  I do use it for DC welding.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:Nope I didn't search..... Just fired off a question......I'll do that search tonight after my one garage welding day per week is over.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:I tried the 2% lanthanated on Sundown's advise and found it to be very good. Takes a while to land the ball after pointing, but hold's well without spitting.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Hello Fexal, here is a link to some very good information on tungsten selection. Take a look and do a bit of reading. You'll get a lot of explanation for specific uses. Best regards, Allanhttp://www.weldcraft.com/parts-acces...en-electrodes/aevald
Reply:33 years in this business and all I've ever used is 2% thoriated tungsten. Haven't had a problem that wasn't my own fault yet.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Fexal,In reality, you didn't really need to reply.  It was obvious that you hadn't done a search as many of our newer posters don't seem to want to put forth any effort.  Why would you be any different.If new guys did a little research on their own, there would be little need for the same dang basic questions being asked time and time again.  Do they really think that "their question" is so unique that something similar hasn't come up in the past.It's amazing how much information is out there if you just do a little work.This particular question was expecially glaring since there had just been 2+ pages of comments/recommendations that would have provided the OP information if he had just looked for it, all on the front page of the forum.A little work by a new poster will go a long ways.  Some of us get a little tired of "spoon feeding" the new guys.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:Pangea,LMAO33 years ago they didn't even make Lanthanated tungsten.Are you still driving a 1980 Ford F100 pickup, with no power and getting 12 MPG?"That's the way we've ALWAYS done it."  Sound familar?Wonder why there are some "rather informed people", to include the tungsten manufacturers and builders of welding machines (Miller, Lincoln, etc) that tend to disagree with you.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:Here is a good video on tungsten selection for an inverter:[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O07lSG5_hg[/ame]LONGEVITYPhone: 877-566-4462
Reply:Pangea has done enough aerospace work he could probably get decent results with a sharpened (thoriated) dog turd.Last edited by farmall; 04-14-2012 at 08:37 PM.
Reply:SundownIII, you cranky old phart!  Just because they invent some new whizbang doodad that they claim does better than the old stuff, I aint falling for it! Humph, next thing you know they will be selling pre-sliced bread! And why did they get rid of the hand crank on the front of the automobile?Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalIs there a good tungsten for aluminum that is best?I just tried on my new square wave 175 with 2% thoriated and it basically immediately balled up my sharp point and then melted it back into the cup.....I can do steel just fine on DCEN but when I flip to AC for aluminum everything went straight to hell......Any ideas?
Reply:Thoriated tungsten works very well on AC. Believe it or not the problem is something you're doing (or not doing).The more positive you set your wave balance, the more heat the tungsten has to deal with. If you are using a 1-1/6" tungsten, it will only handle something like 80-100amps (less than the DC rating when running AC). If you're trying to blast limitless current through it and wondering why it's melting then all I can say is RTFM.Last edited by MikeGyver; 04-15-2012 at 04:39 AM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Fexal, As Mike said above, the wave balance is gonna have something to do with it.  Watch Jodi's video from Welding Tips and Tricks.com on tungsten selection also.  He does a quick blast at 200 amps with various types of tungstens.  Lanthanated holds up the best.  As most said above, get some 2% Lanthanated and don't look back.  It even holds up better than Ceriated on AC, at least for me.  Works great in DC too.   I recently welded aluminum from .060 up to 3/16" with a 3/32" Lanthanted and it kept a tiny ball on the end of a sharp point the whole time, even with full pedal at 200 amps.Last edited by Drf255; 04-15-2012 at 04:59 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks for the advise Drf....This machine doesn't have any controls other than TIG/STICK, amp dial and pedal, and AC....... I don't get to set anything else.........I also downloaded the manual from the Lincoln site....... will try again tomorrow and Wednesday........ I hope to report back that i got it figured out....... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:On a transformerb I typically use 2% thoriated, some times pure, but not typical, because I have a boat load of 2% (rEd band) on an inverter, I use 2% thoriated and 2% ceriated. I do find though with the. Thoriated if you go a little to far with the amperage it will spit and contaminate the puddle. I have yet to try pure but I doubt it will hold up.
Reply:Jodie shows that 2% Lanthanated holds up to amps on AC really well...... which is what others here have said too......I'll be getting some of that this week........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:The synchro and square wave machines, unless you have a ex model with all the little knobs, are typically set at a wave balance of 60. So your tungsten is gonna see a good deal of heat from the dcep side of the ac waveform. Step up your tungsten, 16th is too small. I typically like to run 1/8 and 5/32 for aluminum unless it something really thin.
Reply:Try 3/32, seems to be an all around good size. I only use thoritated or lanthanated. I tried ceriated and didn't like it.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 have an SW175 and it welds steel with nearly "anything" I stick in the torch (don't use pure) and any issues are caused by me (operator error). For aluminum I've run pure, lanthanated, and ceriated and had good results with all of them. I didn't have much luck running thoriated on aluminum. I find that the end splits and causes me issues. I found that it would weld aluminum, but the others did it much better in my hands. Honestly I find that I can use ceriated or lanthanated for everything and it works great. I used to switch between thoriated and pure (steel and aluminum) when I got the machine, but not anymore.Also, I run 3/32 on almost everything. If it's particularly thin stuff I'll go back to 1/16 or .040, but those times are really rare.KevinHobart Handler 210Tweco Fabricator 181iLincoln Squarewave Tig 175You still haven't posted the single most important and relevant piece of information... How many amps are you running?Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:2% Ceriated 3/32 should work fine.  I found it a little hard to find though.Hey Sundowniii, great and powerfull OZ, Soup Nazi or whatever you call yourself these days. If you are tired of the question, don't opine!  It is obvious that others may also know some things and want to share.  How many of your 2000 + post are ( do a search ) ?  If it is below you to answer let someone else answer it.  I have been in business a while and when someone starts a sentence with " I don't want to "  They most certainly do!
Reply:how thick is the aluminum?
Reply:Found this while searching myself, seems 2% Lanthanated is the answer, well its Jody's answer. Check it out SQUARE WAVE 175 TIG   DUAL MIG 151
Reply:Originally Posted by FexalIs there a good tungsten for aluminum that is best?I just tried on my new square wave 175 with 2% thoriated and it basically immediately balled up my sharp point and then melted it back into the cup.....I can do steel just fine on DCEN but when I flip to AC for aluminum everything went straight to hell......Any ideas?
Reply:I have a Lincoln machine (355 Square wave)  Transformer machines tend to be happy welding aluminum with a PURE tungsten.......You will hear guys talk about using 2% and others but I have my best results with my machine with PURE.......Your machine is a transformer machine also......I weld aluminum all day everydayand this has been my findings......Good Luck and have fun...  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by astaindsoul5446The synchro and square wave machines, unless you have a ex model with all the little knobs, are typically set at a wave balance of 60. So your tungsten is gonna see a good deal of heat from the dcep side of the ac waveform. Step up your tungsten, 16th is too small. I typically like to run 1/8 and 5/32 for aluminum unless it something really thin.