Welding Tips and Tricks

Here is my first attempt at tig welding .078" 5052. I think I welded it too cold. thanks for any advice john.

The RH vertical appears to have a crack about half way up...is that true or just the picture?

What were your settings? 5052 flows real nice, easier to weld IMO? On outside corner joints fit up is everything....

I just made an extra pass on each vertical leg messing around. No crack. Any recommendations on what you would use for settings for this material thickness. 1/16th tungsten, 1/16 filler. thanks john

Hollywood1 wrote:I just made an extra pass on each vertical leg messing around. No crack. Any recommendations on what you would use for settings for this material thickness. 1/16th tungsten, 1/16 filler. thanks john

settings on WHATmachine?

Thermal arc 186

Looks pretty good for first attempt IMHO

Thanks . Aluminum is not easy I've decided.

Turned up the heat a little bit and was quite a bit easier to tack and welded much nicer! Could be using the wrong setup though-9 torch w. 1/16th tungsten. Here's a couple more pics. Thanks for the advice. John.

Another picture.

One more picture using step and pause. Thanks Jody, I'm addicted to tig welding.

I have TA 186 I would start off and adjust from following settings

1/16 2% Lathanatied tungsten
7-8 cup with gas lens
85 amps (I use foot pedal)
1 sec pre-flow (I never change this setting on mine)
0 hot start (I don't use setting much, but hammer pedal on aluminum starts.
130-150 AC frequency
10-15% Wave Balance (your metal looks really new so this is where I weld new metal at. You might have to increase as needed. you might be more comfortable at 30) On a side note TA 186 % setting on this is how much it is in cleaning/positive side.
5-7 seconds post flow

Hope this helps. I hardly ever use pulse, use pedal instead. Out of curiosity what where all your settings.

I might be on to something good here! See what you think.

One more pic.

Hollywood1, your technique has certainly improved very quickly! Like Jody and most others mention, it takes a lot of Seat Time, but you're certainly on your way.
Trev

Thanks trackranger. I/m really enjoing welding this aluminum.

Hollywood1 wrote:One more picture using step and pause. Thanks Jody, I'm addicted to tig welding.

x2!

those welds look good. Hows the penetration, whats the inside of those joints look like?

Pentetrated to back side slightly.

Pentetration all the way through could probably turn the heat down a little.

I like to weld aluminum too, it's definitely more challenging than steel is. At least to me anyways lol.

Hollywood1 wrote:One more picture using step and pause. Thanks Jody, I'm addicted to tig welding.

Nice looking weld. You can learn a lot from Jody's videos. I spent two years in school and learned a lot. Then I started to learn the fine points from Jody! Lol.

Thank you. This forum has really helped.