newbie to aluminum TIG

admin

What's everyone recommend for the tungsten....pure, 1% or 2%. I've seen all of them being used. Also, point or ball? I'm looking for more of a "cosmetic" quality bead than something with max penetration. My unit is a Lincoln Precision TIG 185.
Reply:I have a Lincoln Squarewave 175. I use 2% that Lincoln recommends at least for my welder. I do not ball the electrode, I sharpen it a little shy of a point. It works well for the limited aluminum I weld.
Reply:Taking a tig class now.  We use pure tungsten with a balled end.  Sharpen the tungsten, set the polarity so the electrode is positive (not 100% sure on this, but you'll be able to tell if its wrong) and ball the end on a piece of copper.  Ball Doesn't have to be huge.  Doesn't take much.  Then, go back to AC and you're all set.
Reply:Pure tungsten with balled end for squarewave machines, and sharpened tip tungsten for advanced squarewave inverter type machines. Also don't use pure tungsten for the inverters, use something like 2% ceria or 1.5% lanthanated.
Reply:Pure tungstem only.  Any other will contaminate the weld and possibly weaken the joint or mess up the appearance of the bead.  Sharpen the end just short of pencil point and begin welding on AC, the point will shortly ball itself.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Pure tungsten with balled end for squarewave machines, and sharpened tip tungsten for advanced squarewave inverter type machines. Also don't use pure tungsten for the inverters, use something like 2% ceria or 1.5% lanthanated.