Just an idea I am using with success for burn back ruining contact tips. I purchased a #54 drill bit and re-drill the hole from the threaded side out. Most times the aluminum plug just pops out. Then I lightly file or SS brush the top clean. Don't know how many times it will work but have done 1 tip...

Nice fabrication and welding.

It's a special torch and filler designed, I can sell you one of you'd like.. In all seriousness I used those as spacers so it would hold dimension if it pulled in, I have to weld that end to an existing structure. Cheap and effective. [/quote] I would imagine a torch like that would be quite rare a...

Rick_H wrote:Made a new platform section for a piece of equipment, 304 frame, alum diamond plate.

Looks good (for real) and amazing how you were able to weld the Aluminum to the PVC.

Outside the weather's frightful but inside welding up a boat is so delightful, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. -60 with wind chill at Prudhoe Bay AK. Burr, will be cold for Santa getting out of the North Pole this year. Steve. BOAT = Bust Out Another Thousand. Guess I could put the 300hp in a...

I have heard that the 250EX will be digital in 2016 and I have recommended it to some other friends locally. I like that I can get torches through CK. I wish Everlast would get up with CK and figure out how to make the steady grip amptrol work with the 255EXT. Weld.com marketed one for the 255EXT bu...

I have had an Everlast 255EXT for a couple years and really like it. CK FlexLock Torch. Works great, no problems. Everlast 250EX looks like a nice machine at ~$1700 but don't own one. Amperage, Duty Cycle, Features, Warranty for the cost Everlast beats everything out there in TIG but support is over...

A couple of etch and bend tests. 3/16 5052 AL, 3/32 5356 wire, Pulse MIG

11ft Length, 5ft beam, 5086 bottom, 5052 sides. Powered by inboard motor and jet from personal water craft. Target: 150HP.

Guys any thoughts or experience with this? Is it worth getting if I do a little mig welding too? I don't have any experience with a spool gun. Tweco Fabricator 252i. Way better duty cycle, Way cheaper 200 amp spool gun than Miller or Lincoln comparible. Stick, DC TIG. Lots of new tech. Cyberweld an...

It looks to me like you are lighting up right on the joint where the round tubing meets the base tubing and don't have enough amps so the heat is climbing up the round tubing and melting it out before the base metal puddle forms. The base metal tubing is also larger so it does not heat and form a pu...

I have an Everlast 255EXT TIG that I think is a very good welder. The Everlast 250EX looks nice for the money as well and the internals will be digital in 2016. I also have a Miller 211 with the spool gun and it is a great welder for smaller home of shop jobs but you won't want to build a boat with ...

I have had an Everlast 255 EXT with a water cooler for about a year and no problems so far. Never welded with anything else so nothing to compare it to for performance. So far as my opinion on the performance, I think it welds great. I have a CK Flexlock water cooled torch, which I would buy for any...

Today I repaired an aluminum john boat and would like for someone to help me fine tune my welding. There was a ton of porosity and my arc was very unstable. Crappy beads. But in the end it was welded. We'll see if it lasts. Here is what I did. 1. Cleaned the crack with emory cloth. 2. Cleaned with ...

Hollywood1 wrote:Well here is another one today. Not ever sure how to tie in the corners correctly.

Looks good.

Its been quite a while since Ive posted anything on the forum. I made an aluminum overflow tank for my truck using Jody and Roy's helpful tips. I have approx. 45 hrs or so tig welding and I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am at now with all the helpful videos from jody and the forums tips as...

Gordian, you didn't mention a foot pedal. Are you using one? If not then that's going to make it harder for you to learn. Practice will make you better. You can't practice too much. I know that argon is expensive, but weld as much as you can afford. I've been TIG welding for 30 years, but I still p...

Thanks for your advice.I have been laying beads down and will continue to until it because second nature and I know exactly what torch is going to do.i need to practice edges as I keep blowing out material.i have a diversion 180 so I'm limited on settings. First, I would pat myself on the back, hav...

I don't even know if any of this makes sense! Too funny, It makes perfect sense actually. Nice to know that you like the Miller 252. I have looked at that machine as an upgrade possibility somewhere down the road. I'll post some MIG stuff later, maybe there are folks out there who can learn from my...

Nice Work

The other thing I do is watch a video and then try to emulate it the best I can. It seems to help to see the technique and then practice it while it is fresh. Thanks Steve.
Jim

So I am a Newbie too; so this is like a 2nd grader explaining Algebra to a 1st grader but here are some things that I have done that helped. 1. Keep a journal and write down settings, what your welding and results. Really nice to have when something works and you want to repeat it a week later. 2. G...

Nice work! From my experience, and this is only what I have encountered, the biggest problem self-taught noobs have with aluminum is that they don't weld with the heat turned up enough. They have enough volts to do a good looking weld that sort of holds, but will easily break. Boomer63, Thanks for ...

Thanks for the good words and advise.

Jim

I purchased my first welder about 2 years ago and have been working on learning by watching Welding Tips and Tricks videos, reading Forums, and practicing. I won't say I am a welder as there is still a lot of trail ahead of me to get to that outfit. I am just an out of the house (as opposed to outho...