I've had a dabble, and the results aint good. I'm not to bad on steel once I get going but, on ally its a differenct story. Have a
look!!!
I dont seem to be melting the top surface, but it gets really hot and I get penetration on the bottom?
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1. Does any know what I am doing wrong
or
2. could kind fellow let me know the seetings they are using, please!!!!!!
Cheers,
The Baron
Bagsie first to say "have you switched it to AC?"
Yeah, tried that!
If you are using a pedal it makes it easier.
Whack the current up to get the weld pool started and get through the layer of oxide. Then back off a bit to keep the pool going.
Or you could try wire brushing the ali first.
You want between 60-80 amps on 16g ali, or upto 100 or so for a fillet.
Try using a smaller tungsten, 1.6 or 2.4 is enough on thin stuff.
Gas turned up enough?
David
CaLviNx you cheaky swine!!!!!
SWMBO has now stoppped all play for this evening.
Roll on tinkering Day!!!!!!!!!
looks like the tungsten may be contaminated to me. if there is any alluminium on the tungsten at all it will bugger you up completely. ie- if you have touched the weld pool or rod with the hot tungsten it will become contaminated and needs cutting right back and regrinding.
Don't think your getting enough gas flow there...
As mentioned the brown deposits suggest the tungsten has had a quick dip onto the metal.
The welds don't look to have much of an AC cleaned patch around them either.
I've been using 2.4mm tungstens ground to a sharpish point, but not pin sharp for AC. They form a nice little ball on the end after a few
passes.
I set the AC balance to the left a fair bit depending on the alloy meaning more heat is applied to the workpiece.
Cheers
[Edited on 8/3/07 by SeaBass]
I'll second the regrinding after dippin in the pool - it you dip then stop striaght away and grind the ali off your tip. I've just been
modifying my Kirkey aluminium seats and all of the welds aren't bad at all except for one - I dipped the tip and didn't stop and it looks a
mess! I'm sure it'll be fine (it's nothing structural, just a leg support) but I really should have ground it out and started again.
Make sure you weld ali on AC and don't tip the torch too far from vertical. Check your argon flow rate - I'm using a 10 l/s regulator (as
that is what Air Products sent me) and I have done some really nice welds! 
And some not-so-nice ones too, but I just need more practice! 
Another tip is to support your arms if you can - I tend to end up shaking like a sh1tting dog! 
quote:
Originally posted by Coose
Another tip is to support your arms if you can - I tend to end up shaking like a sh1tting dog!
was just thinking that too!!!!
Gets worse near the end of the weld too!!