Aluminum tig welding questions

[redbird]

aluminum tig welding questions My first question is I tried welding thin aluminum but I can't get the machine to run right the metal would melt even if I put it at a low 60 80 what am I doing wrong ? this is a lincoln grey machine its old. Also when I weld thick aluminum the tungsten gets red hot is this normal? seems to weld ok but I am worried about the tungsten
Settings would be appreciated step by step

[Gadget]

I can't help you with the specific settings of your machine but if you have an arc force control reduce that. I have noticed on my machine that it makes it easier to weld thin stock when this is reduced.
Gadget

[Tibor27]

Every machine is different. Are you using a water cooled torch? The trick with aluminum especially thin gauge is that it has to be very clean and you have to have a tight fit otherwise it will run away from you. Are you using a 2% thoriated tungsten or pure tungsten. When I weld thin aluminum I like to sharpen the tungsten and then I adjust my arc control to deep penetrating. This keeps the ball from getting to big. The ball will form regardless when you start welding. What gas are you using? Pure argon doesn't have the punch that a 50/50 helium mixture has. When I start welding thin aluminum I like to use a thick piece of brass as a backer and I make sure I have a tight fit and then I slowly start the arc. I stay in one spot till I see the metal begin to melt and then I add the filler. Once again if the aluminum is dirty you will fight it all the way. I can't stress how important it is to be very clean. I hope this helps.

[redbird]

This is the machine I am using with the set up
It is a lncoln grey colored arc welder ac dc arc welding power ideal arc tig 300 2/15 min / 375 max
controls are after flow current control at tig remote soft start /spark switch spark intensity
I still cant weld thin aluminum it starts to melt fast even when its clean

[bhardy501]

Not to short cut anyone here, you might want to go to http://www.weldingmag.com and check out thier forum also. I have gotten a lot of great info there. Really good guys. Are you using a foot control pedal so you can control the amount of heat you are putting into the material? If not that may be part of your problem.

[redbird]

I dont see any forum in this site, Does anyone have any other suggestions ?

[OMS]

Hello rebird,

TIG or GTAW offers exceptional control concerning heat input throughout the entire range of machine capacity, especially using a foot pedal. Very thin material including aluminum is readily welded with the proper machine set up, joint configuration and welder technique.

You say you have a Lincoln machine. You may want to go on-line with http://www.lincolnelectric.com as they have the manuals necessary for all of their machines for easy download. They also have an “ask the experts” link to get pertinent information for most any welding situation.

The manual should get you at the starting point with approximate machine settings, tungsten size and alloy, for your application. If not try the “ask the experts” link as mentioned above.

It is normal for the tungsten to get white hot when welding aluminum with AC.

Hope this helps.

OMS

[junes]

Are you on AC? DCep will melt the metal but the untrained eye wont know it. Also you dont use the arc force control this is used for stick welding.