Why do I have holes? AL

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First ever TIG, let mo know how to do better  The very first pass I did was the best, them it went down hill...This is a but joint for a piece of 1/8" Al angle.  The first one top bead in top photo, went better than I expected but I think I need to space the pools closer?The other side I started playing with settings and ran into some problems.The most noticeable is I have holes in the center of my weld pools... Why?There are also cracks running with the bead in the center of some of the welds?
Reply:Are you pulsing the pedal or do you have an automatic pulser setting on your welder?The crater comes from a combination of backing off the weld too quickly and not having enough filler...enough of either one will also cause it....and you can see those cracks are starting at the center of the craters....they always will.If you're pulsing, try stacking the beads a lot tighter than you are.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Looks like I have work to do with you next week.. Like ZTFab stated..Tighten up the dips...You'll see.....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:Tighten them up by at least 50%, IMO.  What kind of amperage are you running?  That looks like it's wetting out quite a bit for 1/8" material.  If you're only running 1/16th or 3/32 filler with your amperage set too high, you're probably going to get a lot of concavity or underfill in your joints.
Reply:Hey there, good first attempts at welding Aluminum!  Like all the other guys said, tighten up your beads.  How to do this is don't move the torch ahead so much in between dips and dip more often.  Also, reduce the amount of heat that you are putting into your workpiece...your beads are so flat and wide because there are too many amps (heat) going into your piece.  This also causes cracking.  Dipping more filler into your puddle will also help with cooling.  BTW, listen to these guys (especially Zap!)  they know what they are talking about....
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterLooks like I have work to do with you next week.. Like ZTFab stated..Tighten up the dips...You'll see.....zap!
Reply:Found this:Each 0.001 inch of metal to be melted requires about 1 amp of welding power. For example, welding 1/8-inch aluminum requires about 125 amps.
Reply:Well there ya go...if you weld Aluminum w/o fill, then it will crack.  Aluminum welding requires fill.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldrwomnWell there ya go...if you weld Aluminum w/o fill, then it will crack.  Aluminum welding requires fill.
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!Found this:Each 0.001 inch of metal to be melted requires about 1 amp of welding power. For example, welding 1/8-inch aluminum requires about 125 amps.
Reply:Just took your suggestions and, better, all the problems went away (used fill this time also).ButSupe I think you may have just answered this question, my puddle is still to big welds are about 1/2" wide and just look fat.  should I just use less heat? or move faster?
Reply:If you do not use an oscillating motion, then yes, you will want to reduce your heat input.Also, pay attention to the backside of your welds.  The aluminum shouldn't sag or fall through at all if you're using the correct travel speed and heat input.
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!Just took your suggestions and, better, all the problems went away (used fill this time also).ButSupe I think you may have just answered this question, my puddle is still to big welds are about 1/2" wide and just look fat.  should I just use less heat? or move faster?
Reply:Thanks guysI also just noticed that I was going the wrong way with the balance control, bigger number is LESS  The things you learn when you read the manual...
Reply:Sounds like Zap would rather be at the track!  I laugh now, wait till I get a hold of a tig torch...TRAIN WRECK!!! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverSounds like Zap would rather be at the track!  I laugh now, wait till I get a hold of a tig torch...TRAIN WRECK!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!my puddle is still to big welds are about 1/2" wide and just look fat.  should I just use less heat? or move faster?
Reply:Originally Posted by phila.renewalHow far from the work do you hold the tungsten?
Reply:anyone have a good balance setting for the Sync 200? 7.5?
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!anyone have a good balance setting for the Sync 200? 7.5?
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!well I am shooting for about 1/8" but can not honestly say it is always that close.
Reply:Originally Posted by phila.renewalHow far from the work do you hold the tungsten?
Reply:More pictures!Played with the settings, and came up with this:105A Balance set at 7.5 (will try 10 now)Pulser on. (I kinda like it  ) 1.5 PPM About 2 per dip.Foot controller all the way down for first 2-3 beads then backed off some for the rest.I was surprised how fast I need to move! Heat, dip, and GO!The beads on the left were before with 125A and fill, The three on the right are newest I think the on on the far right is the best as far as my timing went.  The back has no sag though expect for the last ending bead where I forgot to back it off a little more. Dam, this is like work...   Oh ya, disregard where the tungsten hit the work on that middle one...
Reply:Keep playing, you got it.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I use mine about 1/8 off of the workpeice.I also put my tungston out about 3/8 or a wee bit shorter from the cup.when I am at the end of my bead,I swirl the torch and ease up on the pedal,makes the bead more uniform looking.has nothing to do with structural integrity,,,just makes it look betterafter all,,,,a pretty bead is a good bead.so my old boss used to tell mehahaha!!!!Those welds are starting to look better!Don't forget to fill the crater at the end of the weld.  If you don't fill this crater, you will get crater cracks.