Aluminum TIG welds

[jrscgsr]

Preheat it to 600 if its your only means of trying to weld it. What is your tungsten type, tungsten grind, gas flow ect?

[shovelon]

The material was beveled and brushed clean with a stainless brush. I am using 75/25 mix of helium. I just dont think the machine has the amps for 1/4".

You might be right.
Are you venting your tubes?

[aaronobrien]

The material was beveled and brushed clean with a stainless brush. I am using 75/25 mix of helium. I just dont think the machine has the amps for 1/4".

You might be right.
Are you venting your tubes?

yes, the tubes are vented.

[aaronobrien]

Preheat it to 600 if its your only means of trying to weld it. What is your tungsten type, tungsten grind, gas flow ect?

I did preheat it. Not sure if I made it to 600 or not. not sure of the tungsten type, the grind was a shiny "bulb" at the tip, until I hit it with my filler rod. gas flow..... I think 15 or 20, but I dont remember.

[aaronobrien]

Just from what I see without knowing your setup or parameters. It looks a little cold and not uniform, there are several spots in the last pic where the tungsten was contaminated or dipped in the weld puddle. Keep practicing to get your timing for dipping the filler into the leading edge of puddle and advancing the torch forward so that it is second nature and you don't need to think about it.
When you sitting infront of the TV, throw a tig glove on your filler rod hand and practice feeding the wire until you can do it without a second thought. That and more arc time. You'll get the hang of it.

I tried a bit more today (didn't get any pics) but originally I was holding the torch with my right hand and feeding with my left. For some strange reason I set the torch down, and picked it up with my let hand and used my right to feed filler rod. It was SO much more comfortable and I think my welds were a lot better. Kinda strange. But I guess whatever works best for people.