Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey guys, just a quick introduction. I'm a journeyman woodworker with 27 years experience that has had the opportunity to learn (from scratch) a new skill at my job. We do custom commercial jobs that require millwork and metal fabrication in the same shop. While I am still in the millwork side, I'm cross-training in the metal department to be able to help out when they need it. Currently practicing Aluminum TIG and MIG and am looking for any tips on those subjects.

Clean aluminum better than you think it needs to be before you weld it. And, a preheat with a torch helps a great deal to get the alloy to weld up better. Especially with MIG. Have a few stainless steel brushes that are reserved ONLY for use on aluminum and they will help clean and scuff up the oxidation prior to welding.

Welcome...

Thanks for the info. I'm quite lucky in that I am able to practice with company equipment and an (almost) unlimited amount of scrap. We have "volunteer Saturday" and I am able to get practice with various settings, techniques, etc. They have been very helpful in getting me pointed in the right direction and then saying "Play with it. Change settings, see what makes it fail, or makes you successful and just keep laying beads." So I can already see the value of a TIG finger, know about glove shrinkage, what that ugly Grey color is right before you blow a hole right through your piece etc.... (I know, too hot, and or too slow, wrong torch angle or any number of variables that can cause disaster). I'm working on technique and soaking up anything I can to learn.