Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185
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Honda-Tech Member
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From: Allentown, PA, USA
Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185
Okay I have never welded aluminum so if this is a dumb question flame away.
First question is do I have to change the neg over to where the positive is and the pos over to the neg?
I set the welder to ac and first tried starting off with the settings in my book. But my main question is when I hit the pedal it just buzzes and arcs but I do not get a flame like I do when I tig steel. Is this normal I am thinking no but what the hell do I know. Any help would be great.
Thanks
First question is do I have to change the neg over to where the positive is and the pos over to the neg?
I set the welder to ac and first tried starting off with the settings in my book. But my main question is when I hit the pedal it just buzzes and arcs but I do not get a flame like I do when I tig steel. Is this normal I am thinking no but what the hell do I know. Any help would be great.
Thanks
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From: IL
Re: Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185 (underpressure02)
Pssst.....
You can't weld Aluminum....
Ford has a SUPER fancy, specially developed Welder that does do it...
It welds, and then physically spins the molten metal together...
If you try, it will liquify, and not mix together...
You can't weld Aluminum....
Ford has a SUPER fancy, specially developed Welder that does do it...
It welds, and then physically spins the molten metal together...
If you try, it will liquify, and not mix together...
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From: Lincoln, Ne, USA
Re: Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185 (TheSSG)
Typically you would weld aluminum on A/C.
I'm not sure what TheSSG is talking about but the welding process he is describing is FSW, or friction stir welding. It was developed at "The Welding Institute" in England and patented in 1991.
I'm not sure what TheSSG is talking about but the welding process he is describing is FSW, or friction stir welding. It was developed at "The Welding Institute" in England and patented in 1991.
Joined: Oct 2005
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Re: Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185 (k24em2)
Polarity AC
High Frequency: Continuous
Argon ~20 cfh
Pure Tungsten is suggested although most see very insignificant differences between 2%.
Its also suggested to turn it to reverse polarity and ball the tungsten. When welding steel you shouldnt get a flame. To me that would show signs of the machine being setup incorrectly or contamination.
High Frequency: Continuous
Argon ~20 cfh
Pure Tungsten is suggested although most see very insignificant differences between 2%.
Its also suggested to turn it to reverse polarity and ball the tungsten. When welding steel you shouldnt get a flame. To me that would show signs of the machine being setup incorrectly or contamination.
OG Fabricator
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,864
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From: Burlington, Ont., Canada
Re: Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185 (stirnice)
check out the welding calculator on http://www.millerwelds.com very helpful.
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Re: Welding Aluminum with a thermal arc 185 (TheSSG)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheSSG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pssst.....
You can't weld Aluminum....
Ford has a SUPER fancy, specially developed Welder that does do it...
It welds, and then physically spins the molten metal together...
If you try, it will liquify, and not mix together...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not sure if you are trying to be an *** but whatever.
Anyway I played with it more this morning and got it to work. Does not look to pretty but that is what they make grinders for. I just needed to fill in some alum on the race sled for the show tommorow.
Thanks for the help guys
You can't weld Aluminum....
Ford has a SUPER fancy, specially developed Welder that does do it...
It welds, and then physically spins the molten metal together...
If you try, it will liquify, and not mix together...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not sure if you are trying to be an *** but whatever.
Anyway I played with it more this morning and got it to work. Does not look to pretty but that is what they make grinders for. I just needed to fill in some alum on the race sled for the show tommorow.
Thanks for the help guys
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Feb 15, 2005 01:20 PM
