The tubing is 7005 aluminum. The head tube and threaded shell are 0.160" wall and the other tubes range from 0.052" - 0.078" wall.

Filler is 3/32" 5183.

Thanks guys! Bike frame looks great! Any tips on welder settings? Torch is a CK20 with a gas lens and #8 cup. Gas at 15-20 cfh. 3/32" 2% lanthanated tungsten ground to a point. Machine set at 210 amps EP, 180 amps EN, 65-75% EN balance, frequency at 120-150 Hz, soft square wave on EP and EN.

LOL!

Wanted to get more building done today, but email and phone calls had to take priority. At least I got half a bike done. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1481/24918476636_cbf3e44eb5_b.jpg 0210161113_HDR by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1714/24314173924_c067ceb486_b.jpg 0210...

I used to have a CK80 (24 series). It was nice and small, but I hated that it didn't have a back cap. You have to take off the cup and loosen and tighten the gas lens or collet body to replace the tungsten. I was just starting out and didn't know better. And I was changing a lot if tungsten early on...

I never mash the pedal. I light up easy, let the cleaning action do its thing for a bit, then give it more juice until I get a shiny puddle. Don't get me wrong; I'm not hanging around for too long. But when I blast at it, I find I am fighting crap floating in the puddle more oftan than not. It could...

My pleasure! I'm happy when I can help put something useful in the hands of somebody who will use it.

You are correct. The programmed start polarity stays until the end of the slope time. Then the machine switches to the AC or DC welding parameters.

When you program the start parameters on a dynasty, the machine goes through that program before going into the welding program. You set start polarity (EN or EP), start amps, start time (0-250 ms), start slope time (0-250 ms). Whether you are in AC or DC welding, you can set start polarity at EN or...

On the 280DX, the start time is independent of AC frequency. If you set it at 250 ms, it stays at the programmed start current for that duration of time and then it goes into the cycle. Is the 200 different? Being able to dial in the start parameters isn't a gimmick. I don't adjust them often, but i...

It was part of the start programming pre-blue lightning iirc.

It's a computer. It can do whatever it can be programmed to. You are talking the first quarter of a second or less.

Actual welding.

Always EP for easier starting on AC. Think of the tungsten as a lightning rod.

I'm often asked for ways to practice welding tubing. This is one I do, especially if I've had a long stint of AC and I'm going back to DC or vice versa. It's good for getting my mind back in steel mode or aluminum mode or whatever. I take three 6" (15 cm) long pieces of tubing, cope a 60* on ea...

Thanks guys. You're too kind. It helps that I do the same thing over and over.

Stacking 'em tight today.


tight stack by Mike Zanconato, on Flickr

Lots of aluminum orders lately. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/638/22574352658_8b3ecea8fc_b.jpg Cyclocross! by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5726/22979227502_73cabf1427_b.jpg Cyclocross! by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5835/22966635476_3d7119d...

Seems light on amps to me. I like to set my machine to 150 EN/170 EP (that's not a typo) on 1/8" wall and move quick. The added EP could give you a little more pop on your cleaning. I've had good luck with Alcotec wire over the past year. What sorts of problems have been happening. Granted I do...

Thanks, John!

I'm currently running 180 Hz, 75% balance, 240 amps EP, 200 amps EN.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5631/22394575600_d2dbd1de01_c.jpg Greg H by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5710/21959798834_d6e3b88164_c.jpg David A by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr Greg H by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/22593736481_413512beb...

Haha. You guys are too kind.

Did some aluminum in the morning and steel in the afternoon today. I always have to reprogram myself when going from one material to the other. The first few beads on the steel were a trip. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/633/22344031136_1885a54666_b.jpg ally by Mike Zanconato , on Flickr https://far...

I agree. Demands a lot of concentration. But really small tubing is excellent practice.


1/4" OD 0.028" wall 304 SS by Mike Zanconato, on Flickr

Yes, I do it a lot. Both down the length and around the circumference. It's great practice.

Cool idea, Trev!