Diversion 180 welding alum. Set on alum. Tried 130 to 180 and alum won't puddle. This is all that kepts happening.
Welding help
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What kind of shielding gas?
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- #5
its hooked up to 220v and its argon. Miller claims it will weld 3/16ths in 1 pass so it should be able to do 1/4 inch. i have tried on thinner stuff and still nothing.
i was reading some forums and they say it might not be the right electrode??? miller says the electrode that it comes with is the right one..
i was reading some forums and they say it might not be the right electrode??? miller says the electrode that it comes with is the right one..
bmorefj40
SILVER Star
1/4" alum for the diversion is probably past it's limit. I wouldn't try much over 1/8" alum on my sync 200, but I'm sure someone could do it.
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Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD
Aluminum needs to be super clean of any oxidation/surface contaminants. SS brush (only used for your aluminum projects) both surfaces clean of all oxidation and then wipe with acetone.
And don't use the same gear (tungsten especially) on aluminum you use on steel, etc.
Can't tell what thickness you're trying to weld...per others: Keep it, especially when newbing on aluminum, at 1/8" thick for the 180...aluminum requires almost 2X the amps of steel; current hog. What gas pressure you running?
Before you try to weld two pieces together practice pushing a bead with just the tip on 1/8" clean plate. Then introduce filler after you've got that down.
I found great 411 here: http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/
And don't use the same gear (tungsten especially) on aluminum you use on steel, etc.
Can't tell what thickness you're trying to weld...per others: Keep it, especially when newbing on aluminum, at 1/8" thick for the 180...aluminum requires almost 2X the amps of steel; current hog. What gas pressure you running?
Before you try to weld two pieces together practice pushing a bead with just the tip on 1/8" clean plate. Then introduce filler after you've got that down.
I found great 411 here: http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/
- Thread starter
- #8
argon 20/25 pressure
brian
SILVER Star
no where near enough fire.
preheat with an oxy torch, if you must weld it with this machine.
you do have it on ac right?
180amps does not go very far at all with alum.
what size and type of tungsten do you have?
preheat with an oxy torch, if you must weld it with this machine.
you do have it on ac right?
180amps does not go very far at all with alum.
what size and type of tungsten do you have?
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- Thread starter
- #10
yeah its on a/c as far as the type of rod i think is the 2% blue color one
Miller says it will do 3/16 in one pass and everything i need it comes with.
that piece is 1/4 inch so it should at least melt it right??
miller says they wont help me at all unless its broken
Miller says it will do 3/16 in one pass and everything i need it comes with.
that piece is 1/4 inch so it should at least melt it right??
miller says they wont help me at all unless its broken
brian
SILVER Star
does it have a pulser?
if so, turn it off.
what dia is "rod" with the blue paint on it? 1/8", 3/32", something else? if it's 1/8th or heavier you'll never weld that, or even melt it.
if it's 1/8th, you're going to want to track 3/32 collet bodies, collets and tungsten down.
the "rod" is called tungsten. you grind it to a point?
i would also get different tungsten. never heard of the blue stuff.
you would likely be better served with the red stuff(2% thoriated), which can be used for about anything you would be doing at home.
or the green stuff(pure tungsten) which is pretty much just for alum welding, but i wouldn't worry much about needing it. we only ever use it on stuff that really has to matter, 2% thor works just fine for everything else.
if so, turn it off.
what dia is "rod" with the blue paint on it? 1/8", 3/32", something else? if it's 1/8th or heavier you'll never weld that, or even melt it.
if it's 1/8th, you're going to want to track 3/32 collet bodies, collets and tungsten down.
the "rod" is called tungsten. you grind it to a point?
i would also get different tungsten. never heard of the blue stuff.
you would likely be better served with the red stuff(2% thoriated), which can be used for about anything you would be doing at home.
or the green stuff(pure tungsten) which is pretty much just for alum welding, but i wouldn't worry much about needing it. we only ever use it on stuff that really has to matter, 2% thor works just fine for everything else.
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brian
SILVER Star
should be a flowmeter not a regulator.
20 psi is way too much.
20 cfm is just fine.
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- #13
thats what i mean 20CFM
heres the rod
10 TIG Welding Tungsten Electrodes 2.0% Lanthanated (Blue), 3/32"x7" (10Pk Box)
by TIG Tungsten Lanthanated 2% (Blue)
it came with one of theses rods
i also know about grinding it to a point with a little flat spot on the tip
i must be missing something but cant figure it out.
i have welded alum before but many years ago
hey I have the same machine. It will weld that just fine.
Aluminum has a self healing oxide layer that forms and it takes something like 3700 degrees to melt it. Aluminum melts at 1500 or so.
Clean off the oxide with a brush or scocthbrite pad before striking the arc. it will begin to puddle much more quickly.
good luck.
-Will
Aluminum has a self healing oxide layer that forms and it takes something like 3700 degrees to melt it. Aluminum melts at 1500 or so.
Clean off the oxide with a brush or scocthbrite pad before striking the arc. it will begin to puddle much more quickly.
good luck.
-Will
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- #15
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- #16
i finally got it. everything was just fine.. it takes a long time for it to get hot enough to puddle but once it did it worked just fine.
it was a heat issue
thanks to everyone for the advise
it was a heat issue
thanks to everyone for the advise
- Thread starter
- #17
Here's what I got so far
It is a start, but it is the hard way trying to run beads on aluminum that is that thick. Get a piece of 1/8 inch 6061, shine it up and practice pushing the puddle around and you will learn a lot about how fast you need to move and how much heat you can put in before it drops out. After you get the hang of the puddle, start adding filler.
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- #19
yes i need a little practice. at least i now know it was a heat problem. Now i can move on with getting better
thanks everyone
