Tungsten for AC welding transformer based

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So the more I read the more I realize I have no idea what im doing.  Have been experimenting with the old hobart tr-250-hf on AC trying to weld aluminum with limited success.  Up until recently have always been told to use the pure (Green band) tungsten to weld with on AC.Recently I have heard people mention using other tungstens like the red band or what I just purchased today 2% ceriated.  After reading a little more am getting the idea that maybe non of that is true because my welder is a transformer based machine.Anyone... or everyone wanna help me understand the difference and what I can and cannot use thanks
Reply:I honestly doubt your lack of success is due to the tungsten you are running. Usually I find there are other much more significant issues that are usually the root cause of problems when trying to learn alum tig.Post up picts of your welds along with the machine settings and amps, material thickness and type, rod size and type, gas flow etc and we can go from there.The day instructor at the tech school is "old school" and buys 1/8" green tungstens for alum work, and 3/32" red for 1/8" steel/ stainless. I can weld just as well with them on the Syncrowaves at the tech school as I can any of the other blends I have on my Syncrowave at home. I may have to the change size depending on the tungsten and how many amps I run.Usually problems with tungstens come mostly from trying to weld with undersized tungstens for the amps you are using. I'm saying this in a hobby setting, vs doing critical code work.Number one issue I see with most students and alum is they aren't using enough amps and/or are taking to long to form the puddle. Since alum is such a great heat sink, you need lot of amps NOW to get going, then you need to back off as the material heats up. I see way to many students who are "scared" of alum and want to ***** foot around with it. That works with steel, but not alum. When things start to get out of control with alum, most of the time the answer is to add more amps and go faster, usually the opposite reaction that most people have. Try to back off and get timid and things quickly fall apart rather than get back under control..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:Not sure what type of xformer machine you have but on my xformer-based Syncrowave 250 (squarewave machine) I use 2% lanthanated for everything and it works well.
Reply:Use RED end....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:We always use red for steel/stainless and blue (pure) for aluminum on our tranny tig machines at work.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I use red and ceriated - that's what is common at my local store.  Never tried pure.Maybe this will help you out.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpanERwagaU[/ame]Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by Userkc14419So the more I read the more I realize I have no idea what im doing.  Have been experimenting with the old hobart tr-250-hf on AC trying to weld aluminum with limited success.  Up until recently have always been told to use the pure (Green band) tungsten to weld with on AC.Recently I have heard people mention using other tungstens like the red band or what I just purchased today 2% ceriated.  After reading a little more am getting the idea that maybe non of that is true because my welder is a transformer based machine.Anyone... or everyone wanna help me understand the difference and what I can and cannot use thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI honestly doubt your lack of success is due to the tungsten you are running. Usually I find there are other much more significant issues that are usually the root cause of problems when trying to learn alum tig.Post up picts of your welds along with the machine settings and amps, material thickness and type, rod size and type, gas flow etc and we can go from there.The day instructor at the tech school is "old school" and buys 1/8" green tungstens for alum work, and 3/32" red for 1/8" steel/ stainless. I can weld just as well with them on the Syncrowaves at the tech school as I can any of the other blends I have on my Syncrowave at home. I may have to the change size depending on the tungsten and how many amps I run.Usually problems with tungstens come mostly from trying to weld with undersized tungstens for the amps you are using. I'm saying this in a hobby setting, vs doing critical code work.Number one issue I see with most students and alum is they aren't using enough amps and/or are taking to long to form the puddle. Since alum is such a great heat sink, you need lot of amps NOW to get going, then you need to back off as the material heats up. I see way to many students who are "scared" of alum and want to ***** foot around with it. That works with steel, but not alum. When things start to get out of control with alum, most of the time the answer is to add more amps and go faster, usually the opposite reaction that most people have. Try to back off and get timid and things quickly fall apart rather than get back under control.