i have 3 yrs of mig welding experiance and fabrication
this past weekend i picked up a tig welder, lincoln electric tig 175 squarewave, primarily to weld aluminum and stainless steel.

set up:
argon gas 20 psi
tungsten electrode, green, 3/32, out of cup about 1/8 inch
#7 cup
filler rod 3/32
70amps

i clean all the aluminim w/ scotchbrite pad and then acetone

on 1/8 flat stock
I am having problems gettin puddles started and going.
I start the arc and gradually increase the heat and move the torch in a small circular pattern. I see the aluminum get shiny and melt i move to add filler rod and it burns through, i am not flooring the pedal either

helpful advice from tig welders is appreciated

what is a good recommended machine setting for 1/8 aluminum?
should i start gradually with the pedal and then let off towards the end?
how far should the torch be from the metal?
when and how much filler rod should be added?
should i dip every 2 secs and 1/2 inch each time?
I have trouble controlling the start position of the arc?

 

Lose the circular motion, just keep steady. Roll into your heat and just watch the puddle form, once you have it, add filler and start moving. Keep the angle of your torch fairly upright, because the heat will melt the filler rod easily as your approaching if you don't.

Aluminum generally will take the most heat early on, but as the material gets hot your going to have to be quick with the pedal to reduce so you don't blow through. This all comes back to watching the puddle and it's width. Also, when stopping on aluminum you have to let off the heat slowly or it'll make a crater.

If your welding near edges they blow out easily also, you have to be quick with your filler and cautious with your heat near edges.

 

thanks

when adding filler rod should i tap it in the puddle or insert it above the puddle in the arc?????????

 

add it to the puddle. There's a great quote from another thread that describes it very very well.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1809456
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hootiehoo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">looks like your not letting the puddle form before you add filler.

simply get the arc going, and just floor the pedal, and wait there....

wait holding steady for a pool of molten aluminum to form, then touch the rod to the pool. the pool should like "suck" the aluminum right off your rod.

if you have to like stick it in there to get it to take, it isnt molten/hot enough.

then after that, you proceed to move the torch, form another pool, and add the rod...........</TD></TR></TABLE>