Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi Guys, I live in Melbourne Australia but originally come from England.

I'm new to TIG and relatively new to MIG. My story... i'm a keen motorcyclist who likes to do everything himself and so ive just taken on a long held desire to build a custom - cafe racer - bike.

Ive gone from not having a great deal of metal forming tools to being pretty much kitted out with all i need including an AC/DC welder for an aluminium tank build and a stainless steel exhaust pipe build/design.

My machine is a medium range Chinese machine which i thought i would get to start off with and then progress onto a more desirable brand once i get better at this caper.

My machine is a 220 amp AC/DC with Pulse and HF. In hindsight i wish i had picked a machine with a greater range of pulse frequency and the actual ability to change the AC frequency from 50/60hz.

Here are the specs:

Single Phase
Frequency (HZ) 50/60 - not adjustable
TIG Output Current - 10 - 220
No Load Voltage 56v
Rated Duty voltage - 18.8
Pulse Frequency (HZ) 0.5-5
Pulse Width (%) 10-90
AC Balance (%) 20-80
Pre flow
Post Flow
Start Amps
Welding Amps
Background Amps
Down Slope
2T & 4T


Im doing OK with my practice runs of beads on steel and to some degree Aluminium but I'm have a pig of a time trying to butt join thin (1.6mm) Aluminium sheet. I'm having issue establishing a weld puddle without blowing a hole on the edge of both pieces.

I'll do some searches on the forum but if you know of some info you can direct me to that would be much appreciated.

I hope to learn lots here. I've already learnt a huge amount from Jody's videos.

Sparti (Anthony)

Welcome! Check out Jody's video running passes on the bottom of aluminum cans. Good parameter information.

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig ... chine.html

DLewis0289 wrote:Welcome! Check out Jody's video running passes on the bottom of aluminum cans. Good parameter information.

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig ... chine.html

Thanks for the link

Welcome to the forum Anthony.

Hi and welcome.

I had the same problem on thin ali sheet.
Found the machine started in DC+ before initiating AC.
You can do a simple test by swapping torch and ground. Set balance to full cleaning (will be minimum cleaning now) and try.

If it works better, give your seller a call. Mine had a hidden switch behind the front panel to start in AC mode instead so easy fix there.

If you want to hone your metalshaping skills try this guys seminairs out.
http://handbuilt.net.au/
Its worth every cent

Hey Anthony.

Welcome. I also came to Tig in order to build/repair/improve motorcycles. Also running a mid-range China Tig and blazing away at aluminium. Also plan to fab an aluminium tank and tailpiece soon.

Always inspired by the build of Pepo Rossel (Radical Ducati.)

Have learned heaps here - trust you will too.



Kym