Aluminium tig guide getting started.

[Jay1st]

No, the Sherman doesn't have the trigger tap function. What you would be best doing is use 2T with a long downslope, if things are getting to hot then release the trigger and keep welding as much as you can but repress the trigger before the slope ends and it will go back to main, you can repeat that as often as you need as long as you always repress before the downslop ends.

Nice, i see the experinced an, tnx a lot

 

[Macfun]

Clamping the welding alloy test plate on a thick plate would reduce keeping the heat on the test plate.
Was your bead pool on the edge among the last ones ?

 

[Colly2020]

Some off my welds after about a week and a half with Sherman tig welder. Also made a welding table 600mmx800mm 6mm steel plate. Really helps with keeping the aluminium cooler. Any advice welcome.

 

[Colly2020]

Seem to be getting outside corners ok on 3mm aluminium. But really struggling with inside corners. Any advice?

 

[Macfun]

Great-looking for outside corners !

Inside corners, it looks like the plates where not cleaned (enough).
Did you "brushed" them before (stainless steel brush dedicated to aluminium) ?

 

[AndersK]

Increase current, you're not getting it hot enough before dipping the filler. Don't go in with the filler until you see the root fuse together. If that takes more than 2-3 sec, increase current.

 

[Colly2020]

Great-looking for outside corners !

Inside corners, it looks like the plates where not cleaned (enough).
Did you "brushed" them before (stainless steel brush dedicated to aluminium) ?

Yeah it’s clean think I dipped the tungsten where it looks dirty. Thanks.

 

[Colly2020]

Increase current, you're not getting it hot enough before dipping the filler. Don't go in with the filler until you see the root fuse together. If that takes more than 2-3 sec, increase current.

Yeah couldn’t get the root to puddle. Will try with higher amps. Thanks for advice.

 

[Macfun]

Hi all.
I'm now gathering common aluminium scrap plates (1 to 2 mm thick) for training.
But still miss the filler rod.
I could get 5 kg of 5654 1.6mm rods (Castolin 45805W) for a fair price (30-40 euros), but is it a good material for the beginner ?

 

[Munkul]

https://www.esabna.com/shared/documents/litdownloads/alc-10030c_alcotec_alloy_selection_brochure.pdf

I'd say it was a very poor choice of filler for learning or general purpose. It's supposed to be used with a very tight arc (low voltage) and more amps. For specialist work only.

Just get some 4043 or 5356, they're the usual recommended fillers for most work. 4043 slightly more common.

 

[Macfun]

Google pointed me to the same Alcotec table, 30 minutes ago !!
I found the chart from Hobart, as well.

OK, I'll chase a box of 4043 (Castolin 45803) or 5356 (Castolin 45802) instead, I did not find a lot of report about 5654 ... This explaining that !

 

[Paul.]

In addition to what Munkul suggested, I would go for 2.4 mm rather than 1.6, you will find them much easier to feed and will chill the pool better giving you more control, use a 2.4 tungsten too.

 

[Macfun]

Thanks for the tip, Paul.

I have a lot of 1.6 mm tungsten for aluminium, because I intended to (try to) weld 1-2 mm plates.
2.4 mm tungsten in stock are steel-dedicated, maybe I could find some for aluinium in the box.
but I understand well that for training, 2-3 mm thickness plates forgive newbie mistakes !!!
Welder is a Castotig 2002 ACDC with its original torch.
Consumables already delivered, Argon is pending.

 

[Macfun]

Beautiful target for the beginners like us !!!
One day, maybe ...
Congrats !

 

[Tangledfeet]

I'll put something here too, it was funny, little project (50x50x50 mm ALU cubes)...View attachment 255135 View attachment 255136 View attachment 255137 View attachment 255138

That's superb welding and something to have a go at myself, not that I'll get anywhere close!

 

[Aff]

I'll put something here too, it was funny, little project (50x50x50 mm ALU cubes)...View attachment 255135 View attachment 255136 View attachment 255137 View attachment 255138

Did you have issues with the final corner blowing out? When I last did some of these the last corner was always a pain.

 

[Macfun]

Did you have issues with the final corner blowing out? When I last did some of these the last corner was always a pain.

Overpressure inside.
Meaning your welding is leakproof !!!
Drill a 1 mm hole somewhere ... ?

 

[Kram]

Had a practise with tig tonight, I am a complete beginnner, started with steel sheet and got a useable lap and outside corner. I was expecting alu to be easier. I was wrong, and could not get a bead, AC tig is horrible! Just turned the surface to grey.
I was trying on a turned end of 6082 bar, some tube - had good results mig on this, and engine block casting. I had given it a light wire brush, tried 30, 40,50,60,and 70% on balance.
Grey 1.6mm tungstens. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Paul.]

What am I doing wrong?

Sounds like you are using AC for steel, you should be on DC,

Start by reading the tutorial, its exclusively DC, stainless and mild steel.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tig-tutorial.htm

 

[Popcorn]

Come on Paul pay attention, 6082 Bar @Paul.