gman105

I am a complete noob to welding. I am looking to learn so I can fab up my own charge pipes, exhausts...etc. At the end of day 1, after switching from SS to Al, I had a problem. But first--

Here is the setup:

Diversion 165
CK Worldwide gas lense
3/32 Red tungsten
0-100 amps

Process info:

Scotchbrite and acetone
Tungsten ground to a point (vertically)
Ground clamp directly to workpiece.

Here is the problem description:

Unlike with the SS, I am getting no concentrated-looking arc. Instead I am getting what appears to be a shower. There is no penetration and afterward the work-area appears like normal with a white halo.

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Does anyone have any ideas about what is going on?

Thanks.

russianvr4

When welding alum you don't want a sharp tungsten, I usually put my machine on dcep and tap it a bit until the tungsten forms a small ball at the tip

gman105

Thanks! That would make sense.

Are inverter and transformer type machines different in this regard? Or does the tungsten always have to be balled for aluminum?

m R g S r

it will ball up when the machine is on AC anyway.

ROTARY

don't ball it, on inverters you want a pointed tungsten with a flat tip.

how thick is the aluminum? have you moved the AC balance? sounds like your welding with insufficient amperage, post a picture.

Bailhatch

yup, a truncated point with an inverter machine works best.

SSS

What shielding gas are you using? Straight argon?

Agtronic

The arc sounds normal to me. You will never see a clean sharp looking arc on AC.

c jackson

k24em2

You need to try an inverter on 250hz markku! Don't forget ear plugs

gman105

100% argon.

I cannot change the AC balance with the Diversion. I was trying to lay a bead on a piece of 1/4". Maybe the thickness is what got me--I don't know, I was just very surprised to see no weld pool and no arc. I should try a piece of 1/8" to see if I get the same issues.

LA_HONDAS

the diversion 165 is rated for 3/16"

try pre heating it and turn your amps all the way up

you shouldnt have a problem with 1/8"

honduh_head

good post ^