Am a noob, but with some coaching, I have been doing some semi-decent mild steel tig. Tried to light up on aluminum for the first time ever this am and met with total disaster... don't even know what to think. tungsten melted immediately and crap flew all over the table Aluminum turned black and looked aweful
parameters:
1/8 inch 6061 plate, cleaned shiny with fresh flap wheel and wiped down with acetone
TIG set to AC
75% balance
frequency 120
#9 torch with gas lens, 9 cup
3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten sharpened to 3/16 cone
3/8" stick out
held 1/16" arc
20 cfh straight argon (flow meter)
120 amps, pedal contol
I start at 120 amps and melted 3 different tungstens back into cup immediately upon lighting up and I threw my hands up and used bad words
Am I staying on full amps a micro-second too long when lighting up?
Would someone please offer some advice?
Tig welding tips, questions, equipment, applications, instructions, techniques, tig welding machines, troubleshooting tig welding process
- Otto Nobedder
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Which machine are you using for that?
Some machines have the balance marked "backward" from the convention, so you might have needed 25% balance (This detail will be concealed in your manual somewhere if this is the case).
Also, to state the extremely obvious, be sure you're set for Hi-Frequency "continuous".
Steve S
Some machines have the balance marked "backward" from the convention, so you might have needed 25% balance (This detail will be concealed in your manual somewhere if this is the case).
Also, to state the extremely obvious, be sure you're set for Hi-Frequency "continuous".
Steve S
- MinnesotaDave
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It's definitely not your amps. For 1/8" aluminum, 150 amps (or more) is appropriate.
Like Steve said, balance is likely reversed or something.
The more pics you show of the carnage that better people can help you.
Like Steve said, balance is likely reversed or something.
The more pics you show of the carnage that better people can help you.
Dave J.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~
Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~
Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
- MosquitoMoto
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Location:The Land Down Under
It does seem like 'backwards balance' is a likely cause here.
It certainly isn't your supposed noobness, mo. Don't believe the nonsense you hear now and then about AC aluminium TIG being some kind of mysterious dark art. If you get the settings right, you will be laying down tidy beads in next to no time.
Kym
It certainly isn't your supposed noobness, mo. Don't believe the nonsense you hear now and then about AC aluminium TIG being some kind of mysterious dark art. If you get the settings right, you will be laying down tidy beads in next to no time.
Kym
Yep, balance.
AHP is bass ackwards. re-set to 25% and immediately started laying down beads. Moved too slow at first and got hot cracking. set amps to 150, got on the pedal, and started motoring with no problem.
1/8 4043. 1/16 melted before I got close to the puddle.
Thank you everyone!
AHP is bass ackwards. re-set to 25% and immediately started laying down beads. Moved too slow at first and got hot cracking. set amps to 150, got on the pedal, and started motoring with no problem.
1/8 4043. 1/16 melted before I got close to the puddle.
Thank you everyone!
Miller 211
AHP AlphaTIG 200X
Hypertherm plasma
AHP AlphaTIG 200X
Hypertherm plasma
- MosquitoMoto
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Success! Well done! Doesn't it do wonders for your confidence?mopeep wrote:Yep, balance.
AHP is bass ackwards. re-set to 25% and immediately started laying down beads. Moved too slow at first and got hot cracking. set amps to 150, got on the pedal, and started motoring with no problem.
1/8 4043. 1/16 melted before I got close to the puddle.
Thank you everyone!
I also found very quickly that thin filler rod tends to shrink back fast from the arc and I now seem to use mostly 2.4mm which I think is 1/8th.
You are going to fly from here on in. Practise! A fortnight after I started laying down beads on aluminium, I was making basic repairs to aluminium motorcycle parts. Trust you will be just the same.
Again, congratulations and well done. Enjoy!
Kym
Help stamp out operator induced error "RTFM"Otto Nobedder wrote:Which machine are you using for that?
Some machines have the balance marked "backward" from the convention, so you might have needed 25% balance (This detail will be concealed in your manual somewhere if this is the case).
Steve S
Everlast 250EX
Miller 250 syncrowave
Sharp LMV Vertical Mill
Takisawa TSL-800-D Lathe
Coupla Bandsaws,Grinders,surface grinder,tool/cutter grinder
and more stuff than I deserve(Thanks Significant Other)
Miller 250 syncrowave
Sharp LMV Vertical Mill
Takisawa TSL-800-D Lathe
Coupla Bandsaws,Grinders,surface grinder,tool/cutter grinder
and more stuff than I deserve(Thanks Significant Other)
Yep Chinese and some European machines are reverse of American format. It's the Metric way of doing it:D:D;)mopeep wrote:Yep, balance.
AHP is bass ackwards. re-set to 25% and immediately started laying down beads. Moved too slow at first and got hot cracking. set amps to 150, got on the pedal, and started motoring with no problem.
1/8 4043. 1/16 melted before I got close to the puddle.
Thank you everyone!
Let me know if you need any help I have lots if experience with the AHP. I posted an extensive review here a while back. Also there is an AHP Owners thread on Welding Web forum..
Good thing they don't sell liquor that way. If I ask for 75 and get 25 somebody's gettin' an ass whippinsoutthpaw wrote:Yep Chinese and some European machines are reverse of American format. It's the Metric way of doing it:D:D;)mopeep wrote:Yep, balance.
AHP is bass ackwards. re-set to 25% and immediately started laying down beads. Moved too slow at first and got hot cracking. set amps to 150, got on the pedal, and started motoring with no problem.
1/8 4043. 1/16 melted before I got close to the puddle.
Thank you everyone!
Let me know if you need any help I have lots if experience with the AHP. I posted an extensive review here a while back. Also there is an AHP Owners thread on Welding Web forum..
OTOH if I ask for 25 and get 75% she might get a beach house
- Otto Nobedder
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Location:Near New Orleans
Sounds like you saw Chris Farley as the "motivational speaker" on SNL...Poland308 wrote:Beach House on a welder budget usually means an old motor home parked on a sand bar down by the river.
Steve S
- Braehill
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Location:Near Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. Steel Buckle of the Rust Belt
My house is about 1000" feet from the river and there's a sandy area that the locals used to swim called Braeburn Beach. When we were first married my wife asked if I wanted to go to the beach, I asked if we should walk or drive. Confused, she said, "what" and I said Braeburn? She quit asking.
Len
Len
Now go melt something.
Instagram @lenny_gforce
Len
Instagram @lenny_gforce
Len
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