How do you guys, when welding aluminum, get the bead to look so damn shiny? Is it plain and simple polishing afterwards or can some of you get it looking smooth and shiny because you are just that good?

 

the correct amperage makes the bead shiny. not polishing it.

play around with scraps and youll see what i mean.

 

will do in a little bit.

i am using 100% argon. syncrowave 200. 'red' tung. flowing about 15c's

 

Some old pictures of my pratice welds, are these what you mean?



Here's a fusion weld for the heck of it:



If it's dull, it's usually hot. Run 1 amp for every 0.001" of thickness as far as heat goes.

 

i stick with pure green tungsten balled on anything but inverter machines where i then use red pointed as all instructions will tell you.

a lot of people will argue with this, but its been well known that this is the more prominent way rather than red on non-inverters.

id also turn up the flowrate a few cfm for aluminum as well since it's easier to contaminate. also set your postflow to 3-4 seconds and keep the torch over your final puddle until the postflow turns off.

again, this is my experience and tips that have made me a better aluminum welder.

what thickness is it? and material and rod are you using?

check my site in my sig under articles or links-->welding (cant remember) for some filler metal reccomendation guides. the right filler helps tons too. i have some for both al and steels.

 

the pics just posted are not as shiny as one can get.
also i dont feel that the 1 thou 1amp rule aplies very well to aluminum or alloy steels.
it is a good starting point, but i find i need more amperage for aluminum and less for alloys that that stated.

 

It's related to heat and gas coverage pretty much like color on steel.

 

Also depends on filler material too.

 

True. 5356 is shinier than 4043

 

I get really shiny welds when I weld 3/16" thick 6061 t6 with a syncrowave 200. Set up is:

180amps (AC)
Balance (can't remember maybe 4.4?)
3/32 zirconiated tungsten (brown)
3/32 5356 filler
Preped very well, if not machined than I use an Al specific grinding wheel to get the material fesh and than use alcohol and a SS wirewrush to clean it up before welding
I run a #8 ceramic cup and about 20 CFH of 100% pure argon.

 

Was waiting for someone to nail it on the head. Although everyone is somewhat right...its mainly the filler used. 4043 is the duller color, where as 5356 will make the nicer, shinier weld.
Kyle

 

k, i shall put the 4043 on the back of the toilet from here on out, lol.

 

Well first off you mentioned good Al welders.... I don't know if I should post....

180SD (I don't remember amperage) 50/50 balance
25 cfm / 100% pure argon
1/16 5356
cleaned, but otherwise unprepped tubing
3"OD 6061T6 .065
1/16 green tungsten

Here are my results....





Not the best, but it works for me. About 3/4 pentration or greater all the way around. I'm pretty much still a noobie at welding. I'd say less than 10hrs total....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wade &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">k, i shall put the 4043 on the back of the toilet from here on out, lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Both fillers have their uses.

 

Can't recommend zirconium tungsten enough.(brown)
Filler is important, as is the a/c balance of the machine, and then heat.
It has to be clean also, very clean.

 

5356 is the key !!

I did this with 4043. It came out pretty nice but I still like using 5356 better.


Modified by PPLH8R at 2:09 PM 4/24/2007


Modified by PPLH8R at 2:55 PM 4/24/2007

 

I like 4043 and 5654.

 

wade, I like to use mild steel filler thats been spray painted with the autozone 'chrome' paint. it looks badazz at 200amps and no face shield

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoLab &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wade, I like to use mild steel filler thats been spray painted with the autozone 'chrome' paint. it looks badazz at 200amps and no face shield</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll get Skinny to post up his Pics of the Mild to Al. fusion process with a mig!