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PowerTig 200LX Aluminum noob pics
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I forgot to mention that I had gaps all over the place up to 1/2" because I didn't want to take time and grind them down to match better.
I also was welding over the MIG welds...that may be another reason why I found it so hard to do. It took me two hours and 5 5356 3/32 filler rods. 1/16 thoriated, 70-90 amps (I kept changing manually no foot pedal involved), Freq. at 3/4 to full 200 on the knob, A/C balance was usually set all the way left or 30 on the knob (sometimes I moved it up to about 40, anything at halfway or up would just ball the tungsten and melt it). The 4043 would just blob on there and I would go back over the welds with higher amps(120), more like 40 on A/C balance, and lower frequency to smooth/blend the material to fill the gas and blobs. I know it doesn't look neat but I can grind/sand it down and you would never know. Hey it will do the job for me.
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pratice
you had the settings right and looks like u need to heat up the alum first a lil more give it more heat so that it would absorb the filler rod better and its hard to go over mig welds
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Cleaning the welds before you start is as important as the weld technique itself.
If you want to make that weld look better, Turn up the heat a little on the welder, and go over the top of the weld without the filler wire. This Hot pass will smooth things out.
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Looks like my first welds too! You're brave to attempt welding on a critical part right off the bat. You'll know how good your welds really are once you boost it! Your ride sounds sick. How much boost and HP?
I have the same welding cart and a similar welding helmet from HF. I think my welding cart is a little top heavy. Other than that they work fine.
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It is a good idea to put a cheap ratchet strap or some kind of tie down on top of those welders, especially on those cheaper carts. Hopefully, we will have some sort of new cart available soon.
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Mad-Dax,
Yea, I would strap it down as Mark said, and I would move it around via the actual welder. Very slowly. The front casters are small and it is top heavy. You can not roll over a hose or cable like I can with mine :D
On the aluminum, like all else, practice, lots of it. Hook it up and see if it leaks. Pretty comes later. Aluminum is not as easy as steel, but I think you did pretty good if you started there.
Britstef,
Did you post your cart here in the project forum or just on welding weld? You are the fellow doing the tuna towers with the aluminum cart right?
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Not a bad start. Keep trying you will only get better! I remember some of my first welds, a toss up between a bunch of grapes and pigeon crap! Do tell us about the project.
Wayne
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Funny Wayne,
I still have my youngest sons first weld. I called it chicken poop then. It was not aluminum, and the penetration was good and it will not break. Just looks like it needs a good flap wheel for a few minutes. I use it to keep parts together while I tack on that table. I also test our products on it. :D
Far as Dax, I think on his project welds it's not bad if it does not leak.
Dax, keep us posted on the project.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
everlastsupport
Mad-Dax,
Yea, I would strap it down as Mark said, and I would move it around via the actual welder. Very slowly. The front casters are small and it is top heavy. You can not roll over a hose or cable like I can with mine :D
On the aluminum, like all else, practice, lots of it. Hook it up and see if it leaks. Pretty comes later. Aluminum is not as easy as steel, but I think you did pretty good if you started there.
Bretstef,
Did you post your cart here in the project forum or just on welding weld? You are the fellow doing the tuna towers with the aluminum cart right?
I put my hand over one end and then blew/sealed the other end with my mouth as hard as I could and I heard no leaks.
LOL I don't move the cart..the room it is in is 10x10 and if you can see it is cramped. I sit in front of the welder to the left on a bucket and use my little cheapo aluminum tablesaw as my welding table...LOL
Nope not the same guy as the Tuna tower...I saw his setup and that is why I bought the same cart....$40.
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Last night I decided to fix a problem. I made a cut about an inch too much on my intake plenum base. So I decided to add it back on. This is 3/8" T6061. I used a 3/32 Thoriated, 160 amps, full 200 frequncy, A/C balance was about the 10-11 o'clock position, 5356 1/8 filler. I cleaned it pretty well. This took me a whole 5 minutes. Two passes. One on each side. I made a V groove on one side the other side was flush. I welded the flush first then turned it over and used lots of rod to fill the gap. I find it hard on the ends because it is melting pretty good so when I come to the end it kinda melts through and so I stop short and then came back at it with some spots on the ends.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...05-09_1029.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...05-09_1030.jpg
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...05-09_1052.jpg
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Nice Dax,
Now you are getting there.
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yes thats me the one who does tuna towers
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Hey Britstef,
Dax was having a little trouble at the start on aluminum and I recalled you did the towers, figured you could offer pointers as well.
But looks like he getting it under control.
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butt joints are going to be your easiest joint to weld for aluminum. it's the corners and Ts that are tougher to learn......and make pretty
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More pics
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Mad-Dax nice work. What's your HP goals? Let's see more of your build pics! Please.
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Daxx,
Looks like you have the aluminum under control. Also looks like a lot of work, nice.
Thanks for posting.
You're welcome to post your project if you like and have time. We like to see the welds, but we like to see the projects too.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
jericho777
Mad-Dax nice work. What's your HP goals? Let's see more of your build pics! Please.
I'd like to hit 600hp but I will drive everyday so with the clutch I got maybe to stay in the 450-500 range. Will post more later. :)
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your getting there! more you do , better you get. and it looks like your improving alot over your projects... keep up the work!
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Aluminum is a hard way to start but you picked up pretty fast.
Like said, you can see the improvements from the 1st to 2nd project. I know you have not had the unit long, I am impressed.
Keep the projects coming.
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MD,
Nice job, that aluminum can be tough, you see that first "wiggle" and it's too late!!
Goat
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When our welder was teaching me to TIG aluminum, he would have me tack together a three sided box, (two sides and a bottom) and then have me weld into the corner to drive the heat that way. This would teach me to watch for the "wiggle" and lay off before everything blew out. This was great way to practice for a novice.
On a side note, I watched this guy TIG two gum wrappers together, he had talent!!.
Goat
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Nice job! That really is pretty good for being new to TIGing aluminum.
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keep up the practice eventually it will come first nature and be consistant
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Guys, this is a 2009 post. So I hope Daxx has a lot of practice under his belt by now. Too bad, once you guys are good you disappear on us. :D
Daxx hasn't been around for some time, same for McClary (both great guys). He did become very good. Last time I saw him online I think was Pirate 4x4 or another forum. If I recall he was working on a boat project to make some money. Maybe if he has the same email this post will wake him up.
It would be nice to see McClary back too, now that guy was talented with metal work (not sure if we lost his posts in the conversion, but worth a look). Not to leave out Birtstef, if I recall I think his first project was an aluminum welding cart (or stainless, it was a bit ago).
Thanks for bring this one back up, brought back some old memories.
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lol i didn't even pay attention to the date of the last post wow
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
everlastsupport
Guys, this is a 2009 post. So I hope Daxx has a lot of practice under his belt by now. Too bad, once you guys are good you disappear on us. :D
Daxx hasn't been around for some time, same for McClary (both great guys). He did become very good. Last time I saw him online I think was Pirate 4x4 or another forum. If I recall he was working on a boat project to make some money. Maybe if he has the same email this post will wake him up.
It would be nice to see McClary back too, now that guy was talented with metal work (not sure if we lost his posts in the conversion, but worth a look). Not to leave out Birtstef, if I recall I think his first project was an aluminum welding cart (or stainless, it was a bit ago).
Thanks for bring this one back up, brought back some old memories.
You guys are great! It means alot to be appreciated even when it is on a forum. Sorry all, I think I didn't have my email notifications turned on...and another year has gone by...I will post some stuff I have done..I haven't done much though..hence my absence.
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looks good everytime you weld you get better . takes time to get it down welding aluminum
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bet it was a pain to weld between the manifold pipes
