aluminum and spatter

[Jetmekdc-10]

SW,,Will do, it may be a day or two before I can get to it.

[welder_one]

Signwave,
I have been trying to figure out the same type of problem you are. I turned my current way up and it seemed to switch to a spray transfer like you said and I had pretty good results. It's still fairly smooty but the connections were strong. I have been setting my regulator at a flow rate of 25 for 1/4" plate but I am going to experiment with a lower flow rate soon. Adam

with pure argon, you very badly need a flow rate of at least 27 cfh at the nozzle. not at the regulator. i set my flow meter at 60 cfh to get 30 at the nozzle because i am using a 30 foot gun and loss of flow from such a great distance to travel. i dont think it a good idea to turn your gas down, but turn it up. the smooty carbon is something your going to have to deal with, get used to it. it is from the arc being long enough to actually burn the impurities off of the parent metal.

[Jetmekdc-10]

W1 I will give that a try also, I am hoping to setup some tests tonight after work. I am going to try to repeat the same type of pass on several coupons changing only the flow rates in increments of 5cfh. By the way where do you guys go to buy aluminum to practice with. I found a guy on e-bay that sells remnants and cut-offs for a decent price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/8020-Aluminum-Fl...QQcmdZViewItem

[welder_one]

i cheat on my practice pieces, where i work, we buy mill runs of metal weekly and we also have a coil line so hvae unlimited practice pieces. bad part is finding the time to experiment and practice. i am the only weldor on staff in the biggest sign shop in the world, so i weld 10 hours a day and 6 days a week. the faster i can go the sooner i can get to the "government projects" i have a big christmas list this year.....lol

[Jetmekdc-10]

Well, I had no luck at all. I got all my test pieces cleaned and prepped and intended to do several tests changing only my flowrate. Just after I started my wire stuck to my tip. No problem right, Just change tips right? The old tip would not budge. It wound up breaking off in the gun. I am sure the people across the street clearly heard my reply to that little incident. I tried drilling it and using a small screw extrator but its just too soft. Anyone know where to get one of these? Adam

[SignWave]

sorry about your bad luck. thats gotta suck. I'd say mail that sucker to me and i'll fix it, but that would take too long to get here and get back and the time in between.

What type of gun is it from? have you checked ebay, local B&S? LWS?
take some more pics. I still dont understand whats fubar.

How far are you from Hermann? Ever heard of Moore gears?