Not sure if this is "hot rodding" but If I want to tack something thin and need a crisp start, I run a bead on a bit of scrap for a few seconds then place the tack weld straight away, while the rod is still hot.

Hi, guessing you have the problem sorted by now but just thought I’d put my 5 cents in. Looking at the photo, is the torch connected to the correct port? I just wondered if where you have it connected is for mma stick welding and that maybe the torch should be connected to the - port next to it? I d...

Yep, hearing ya buddy. It's just a matter of practice, practice, practice. Took me ages, despite being a drummer, and used to the hands moving to different beats. After a while it'll just become natural.

Have a look on the Miller welding app. This gives both an amp range and volts, I find it quite useful for getting started on a thickness of steel I've not welded before. According to the app 3/16 steel has an amp welding range of 160 - 170 amps and/or 21 to 22 volts guessing that you are using co2 g...

As above I might also be a bit late in posting a reply here. Anyway, for what it might be worth, I have a version of the first pic. Under the Jasic brand, for us in NZ to get anything that's not Chinese and still have the features that the Jasic has I would have to hand over double the amount I paid...

Well, if it were me I'd check the Miller welding app for 3mm mild steel settings and go from there. I've found the app. really good for getting you close to what you need. Same for 2 through 10, I'd check the app for say.....round 6mm and try on some scrap from there. You will need to hang on the th...

Mm perfect as usual, you are human aren't you? Just always looks like the work of a robot You set The bar high for us Nubies to strive for. Keep the pics coming, enjoy seeing your work.

If the above advise doesn't work, check the gun tip size. if you are using .030 wire you want to use a .035 tip because as the aluminium wire heats up, it expands in size. This could then slow your wire feed speed.

Go onto a web site called Pinterest and type in metal art or welding projects etc. some excellent ideas to boost your creative mind.

Could also be something as simple as gun angle. Maybe a slight eeeeeeee pattern may help, really it's about having a bit if a play with the advice given and what works for you.

What type of joints are you welding? For edge to edge you would only need about 90amps, for a fillet weld maybe around 140 amps, you're maybe just welding with to many amps depending on the joint.

Some good advice above. Have you downloaded the Miller welding App. I've found this useful for getting welder settings close so you can fine tune from there. You say you don't have a welding cart yet. Once you get a handle on running some decent beeds, why not make your own. I did this while learnin...

http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/advancedynamix/20150824_104132_zpsxnwmerwy.jpg I made 30 of these this week. Not supposed to say what it is, probably shouldn't post pictures online, but I'm proud of them and I figured that you guys might enjoy a peek. wow, amazing, beautiful work I can onl...

I had a similar problem with the wire speed on my spool gun, it would run ok for a minute and then it would run flat out or start pulseing, turned out to be a faulty speed controller pot. Just an idea

Big mistake you are making. Don't run multiple beads one after the other on the same piece of aluminum. It pre heats fast and you will constantly have to adjust multiple welding parameters to compensate for the pre heat from previous beads. Make a dozen 2"x 6" coupons. Weld a bead on the ...

weldin mike 27 wrote:I've banned this Guy ^ spam bot

Ok cheers mike, will stay clear of that address.

Looking at the photo, I'd set the pre flow gas to just above zero, one second is all you will need, the rest is just a waste of gas.
Will be interested on how you get on with the welder, since I have purchased one the same, but with the brand name Jasic on the side of it.
Enjoy

Oscar wrote:

motox wrote:just goes to prove how informative and valuable
Jody's videos really are.
buy something from his store.
craig

especially when welding aluminum. You need a TIG Finger or two.

Yeah aluminium gets HHHHot real quick, couldn't agree more

motox wrote:just goes to prove how informative and valuable
Jody's videos really are.
buy something from his store.
craig

Ordered a Big Finger Bundle and a Tig finger from his store last week, I can get similar products here in New Zealand but thought it would be nice to support Jody.

My new Tig welder arrived this week, :D its a Jasic wse200p (made in china). I've never used a tig before, so while waiting for the machine to arrive, I spent my nights watching Jodys fine videos to get me started. Set up the machine today, got the hang of what all the knobs did, so here is a couple...

Mike wrote:Welcome to the forum Dave.

Thanks Mike

Welcome to the site and our little corner of the internet Dave! You're in the right place to learn just about anything that has to do with welding. We have some very knowledgeable members around here that like to share their know-how (when it comes to welding anyway). :lol: Thanks for the warm welc...

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all. I enjoy metalwork as a hobby on my weekends, and have learnt most of my welding skills from jody's informative videos. I enjoy working with aluminium, and learning to mig weld the stuff has been all part of the fun. Looking forward to reading your helpful forums...