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View Full Version : some aluminum tig details.....


gomoto69
07-03-2009, 12:32 PM
Hi, I'm new to the forum. I am self taught at tigging aluminum, and am getting along ok, but have a couple questions about the actual torch manipulation that isn't spelled out in any manuals. I start by melting a puddle, full pedal. Once puddle is established, I 'slide' the puddle foward with the arc. Here's the question, I move the arc to the rear of the puddle, then dip my filler at the front of the puddle, then 'slide' the puddle foward and repeat. Should I let off the peddle when I move to the rear to dip? If so, how much, half? I go full peddle when sliding foward to keep the puddle fluid. Is it better to use lower amps, and not let off, or crank it up and pulse the peddle? Nice shiny beads are my goal. I get quite nice beads, but not as smooth and shiny as i would like. Also, does same slide ahead, slide back dip work for all metals? One more thing, I scrub my filler with scotch brite before welding. Is this necesary, is there something better? Thanks. Oh yeah, I have a hobart 250 tigwave, I hope all you miller guys can look past that!

jstasney
07-03-2009, 01:07 PM
You sound like your doing OK, you didn't mention what TIG rig your using, cup size, tungsten type and size, amperage, gas lense or straight cup, gas flow in CFM, location, all of this factors in to the end result.
Pix??
Post back....
:cool:

gomoto69
07-03-2009, 01:43 PM
I'm not at home right now, but will go from memory..... straight cup, maybe about half inch. 25cfh argon flow, 3/32 straight tungsten, balled, 3/32 filler, about 125 amps full pedal, about 5 sec post flow, cleaning set at about neutral between clean and penetrate, clean material with stainless brush only, 1/8 base metal. I have a water cooled torch that i just flow tap water through to waste.....anyone have good plans for a home-made cooler?