Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm a TIG noob and I just bought my first TIG machine. Lincoln squarewave 200.

I've got an aluminum stock pot with a pinhole in the bottom. So small you can't see it, but it weeps water. Can TIG this without a filler rod and not destroy the pot?

Unlikely in my opinion. Even a small 1/16th filler rod dabbed then flapped flush is probably needed. When you hit aluminum cast parts, they often are filled with air pockets. No filler, and you’ll open a chasm you’ll never fill.

10-4, thank you sir

Unless it’s not cast but stamped then it’s definitely possible. Plus even if it’s cast it may be worth a shot just because it’s already junk with a hole.

Many stock pots are spun, which commonly uses 3003 aluminum, in which case it will take well to welding.

I take two pieces of .062" aluminum 6061, lay them tightly together. I run a tig bead autogenously, (no filler added). It looks beautiful! As I watch, it cracks full length.

Jody talks of aluminum being "hot short", extremely brittle until it has cooled. You will need extra material to prevent cracking as it shrinks. After cool, you will then be able to grind flat.

Likely the hole is a bit dirty, it'll need to be cleaned out with a carbide burr anyway.

4943

Willie