Craters with aluminum TIG

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What is the correct process of finishing an aluminum TIG bead? I've tried to "fade out" like you would on stainless but it never seems quite right. It ends up either cratered... or it looks crumby. It's a shame too because the rest of the weld looks pretty darn good if I say so myself!
Reply:'Fading out' is proper. Just watch your puddle, add a dab or two more filler as you're fading. Keep the puddle hot enough to melt your filler as you fill the crater. The added filler may freeze the puddle, pedal up enough to smooth and fuse the last dip. It should look like a soft serve ice cream cone tip or a Hershey's Kiss. Mmmmmmmmmmm, ice cream and chocolate. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Do you have crater fill On?  If not you can do it manually. You can set it for more sec.Another way to eliminate the crater (which is a stress riser) is to continue the weld ontoa scrap of metal at the termination of the weld .When you finish the weld make sure to leave the torch and sheilding gas over the crater.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 01-19-2009 at 07:27 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:I rather like the amps to drop fast, rather than tapering down slowly. I set my downslope at.1 second, and finish with the pedal, and maybe ramping up for a nanosecond and dropping a last dab of filler, then cut the power. I get less cratering that way.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:The last part of the weld shrinks when it cools.  I add one more dip at the end to build it up.   Back off the pedal slowly and as it cools and shrinks, it will be the right size.  Practice a little and you will get it.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.