New to TIG welding

SmartDave · Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:39 pm

Hey folks

So I have never TIG welded, and never welded aluminum. My history has been MIG welding as a hobbyist. I bought a HTP INVERTIG 221. This is my first ever even touching a TIG welder. Here are some samples of running a bead that I tried tonight.

Looking for comments

Thanks

Dave.

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SmartDave · Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:42 pm

Forgot to add

I am using 130 amps as a max setting, 200hz and 50% balance and no pulsing

Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:45 pm

Seems as though you are off to a flying start. Good work.

SmartDave · Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:49 pm

Thanks.

I do have the Pyrex cup kit which makes seeing the puddle for me much easier

Oscar · Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:10 pm

You can likely get away with more balance towards EN. Try setting the balance to 70-75% and see if that works for you. Usually the cleaner the metal, the more EN% you can get away with, where the main benefit is more arc focus and less tungsten erosion at the tip. Your torch (if air-cooled) will thank you for it as well.

SmartDave · Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:27 pm

Oscar thank you. I will try that, water cooled torch is what I am using

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Oscar · Sat Dec 27, 2014 12:33 am

SmartDave wrote:Oscar thank you. I will try that, water cooled torch is what I am using

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Same here, looks like we have a similar setup. Mine has a couple more things added on here and there, though.

SmartDave · Sat Dec 27, 2014 12:53 am

Not sure if you saw my pics in the new member section, but here is my setup.

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Oscar · Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:39 am

Nice MIG cart, just like mine!

Although I extended mine's bottom shelf to be able to fit the whole cooler in there.

SmartDave · Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:15 pm

Well I spend some time this weekend playing around. I am having great luck with 1/8 inch aluminum and I am really enjoying it. I have found 1/16 inch aluminum tough as I keep blowing through it. I was able to lower the amps down to about 50 and using a 1/16" tungsten. Here are 2 pics. I am sure you can tell which is the first then last attempt.

This is 1/16" flat bar welded to a 1/16" U channel

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GreinTime · Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:15 am

Be careful getting too down on yourself on having less than satisfactory results with U-Channel man. Unless you spec a grade, it's typically bottom of the barrel extruded stuff that will never weld like you want it to no matter how clean you get it.