Welding Tips and Tricks

Is it possible? I realize AC is preferred and recommended, but if AC is not available, can you use DCEN? If so, would you still want a balled tungsten?
Our Lincoln V350 Pro machines do not have AC capability, but I would like to practice on aluminum plates.

Thanks

Try it and see what happens. LOL

It just melts a giant wad of aluminum, hidden underneath a big bubble of oxide and it's impossible to work with with the oxide present. That's what the AC is for, prevents the oxide from covering the puddle.

You can tig weld aluminum on a dcen polarity, but you can only do it on very thick aluminum that has been cleaned very very, and I mean very good. Also, you will need to use an argon/helium mix shielding gas and a BIG tungsten for the high current. It may be good to just mess around with, but it is not recommended. Have fun

Thanks guys! Not the answer I was hoping for......but I'm sure you are right. I guess using an old AC buzzbox won't work either? Assuming i could rig up the torch and gas supply for the argon?

You would need some kind of high frequency arc starter/stabilizer with the AC.

Thanks Jim,
I thought that was the case, but hoped for something different! LOL