Anodized Aluminum Diamond Plate
I just bought a PP 205 and have some .063 anodized aluminum diamond plate to weld together. Does anyone have any suggestions on settings with a foot pedal. I know the anodized coating needs heavier penetration and melts at about 3k degrees as opposed to the aluminum melting at about 1.2k degrees.
To get a more concentrated arc, I am thinking 200 HZ on AC Frequency and 30% DCEP for some cleaning action for the anodized.
Any Argon flow suggestions?
I am completely new to welding and am having a lot of fun learning and progressing. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ever thought of trying pulse?
If I was in your shoes, a little experimentation would be in order. Got any scraps to do some practice on? The first thing I'd try is pulse. That gives you enough heat to blast through the anodizing, while restraining the HEAT involved with straight amps. (Jody specifically mentions this in one of his older videos, and explains the advantages of pulse for blasting through anodizing, and how in the old days, he'd use the pedal to "pulse" his arc manually to essentially accomplish the same thing). I have NO experience with the PP series, but just from the info I've gathered, which is substantial, why not try 125 amps, 30% on time, 120 pulses/second. Balance@40%DCEP(I may have that backwards, most people seem to run 30%, but what I'm getting at is a little more cleaning action) AC freq. @120 to match your pulse, or try 240, since ya got it to try:D. I wish I had the same machine to try, and give you my results, but I need ONE more thing to happen to take delivery on my new EXT. Good Luck, and keep us posted!
Edit: By the way, Jakeru ROCKS!! What he can do with his old, MOSFET Everlast, I only aspire to, even once I have the greatest and newest on hand!