YES! Finally it's here!

[Winky]

I just fired up my 200DX for the first time running some beads on some 1/8" mild steel set DCEN using 3/32" lantanated ... argon flow about 18 to 20 L best results around 85 to 90 amps worked really well ... I was having a little trouble getting the arc to initiate ... actually had to make contact to start ... will arc force have any effect on that or is that strictly for stick? I may need to go inside and adjust the gap ... if so how long will it take for the capacitors to discharge? I really don't like getting knocked for a loop.

[Rodsmachineshop]

to much argon 7 to 10 L on flow

[Winky]

to much argon 7 to 10 L on flow

Thanks Rod good to know. Having done mostly mig to this point I've been running my steel mix a lot higher ... in fact less than 23 and my welds turn to dodo ... come to think of it I was running my scratch tig around 8L ... now I'm using a different meter ... couldn't use the one I had ... fittings and hose was a different size ... I've been told the glass tube w/ ball is more accurate anyway ... so I'm using the one that came with my new welder ... which I already love!

[Winky]

Here are my first ever attempts at aluminum tig welding ... I know they aren't pretty and I need to clean my aluminum better along with my first beads is my first butt weld ... I'll get it figured out eventually but I must say this machine just blows me away! My DCEN on mild steel looks much better ... but I've been doing it for a while ... this AC TIG on aluminum stuff is brand new to me.

[undercut]

Here are my first ever attempts at aluminum tig welding ... I know they aren't pretty and I need to clean my aluminum better along with my first beads is my first butt weld ... I'll get it figured out eventually but I must say this machine just blows me away! My DCEN on mild steel looks much better ... but I've been doing it for a while ... this AC TIG on aluminum stuff is brand new to me.

It'll come to you, Winky, and will be like second nature once you've got your practice time in. You've got a great machine there. Have fun!

[everlastsupport]

An old saying, practice, practice, practice. It takes time. And A/O does not always make aluminum come easy on TIG.

I would bump up the post flow or at least stay over then end of the weld and let the gas shield it at the end of the weld (one you release the power). Looks like you are pulling away when the arc dies.

You will want many beads to get the feel and see how aluminum melts and flows, not quite as colorful and clear as steel.

Keep at it man.

[Winky]

An old saying, practice, practice, practice. It takes time. And A/O does not always make aluminum come easy on TIG.

I would bump up the post flow or at least stay over then end of the weld and let the gas shield it at the end of the weld (one you release the power). Looks like you are pulling away when the arc dies.

You will want many beads to get the feel and see how aluminum melts and flows, not quite as colorful and clear as steel.

Keep at it man.

Oops! That's what I've been doing ... as soon as I've let go of the trigger I've been pulling up my helmet to look at my weld ... my bad ... anxious to see what I've done so been jumping the gun,wow this is fun.

[Winky]

I know these don't look all that gr8 ... but no one can say I haven't been practicing ... I have to go get some more argon now lol. This is just a fraction ... I've been stacking beads all over the place.

[undercut]

My, my, you have been very busy! How's the welder's performance? Everything you expected? Certainly looks like you are having fun.

Are you getting some aluminum time in because it is new or because your next project will need it?

[everlastsupport]

I know these don't look all that gr8 ... but no one can say I haven't been practicing ... I have to go get some more argon now lol. This is just a fraction ... I've been stacking beads all over the place.

Winkey, I can say you are 100% right lol. It takes time if you jump into the harder stuff.

I would think about going back to steel and practice and get the feel of TIG there, then back to aluminum. You can see a lot better with steel and get the feel. Aluminum is not easy.

What size argon tank? 125 will go fast when you get started.

[everlastsupport]

I just fired up my 200DX for the first time running some beads on some 1/8" mild steel set DCEN using 3/32" lantanated ... argon flow about 18 to 20 L best results around 85 to 90 amps worked really well ... I was having a little trouble getting the arc to initiate ... actually had to make contact to start ... will arc force have any effect on that or is that strictly for stick? I may need to go inside and adjust the gap ... if so how long will it take for the capacitors to discharge? I really don't like getting knocked for a loop.

Give the caps 1-2 minutes, that is plenty. Unplug too just for safety. Arc force should have no affect on the start. Yea 90 @ 1/8" is about right for me as well. Flow I would run lower to save gas, start and 10L and go up or down from there (should be down). Maybe start at 8L with a #7.

On aluminum you will need a little more heat (20-30%) and to clean it good just before welding, unless you're just playing. Set the yellow knobs to (left one) at 2 'oclock and (right) to about 10-11 'oclock (30-35%)

[performance]

Winky,

Please read all the information out here and the manuals. The Balance set to 65% will likely smoke the tungsten. Use 35%. As you can see on the panel face, Clockwise to the right is + electrode and to the left is negative. We use a percent of positive. We have it in the manuals, Jody has it in the videos he has done, and other multiple places. Also the gas flow: We use LPM not CFH. CFH is twice what LPM is. That is the reason you were probably having hard starts is because the gas flow was so high that it was destabilizing the arc.

[Winky]

Winky,

Please read all the information out here and the manuals. The Balance set to 65% will likely smoke the tungsten. Use 35%. As you can see on the panel face, Clockwise to the right is + electrode and to the left is negative. We use a percent of positive. We have it in the manuals, Jody has it in the videos he has done, and other multiple places. Also the gas flow: We use LPM not CFH. CFH is twice what LPM is. That is the reason you were probably having hard starts is because the gas flow was so high that it was destabilizing the arc.

THIS MACHINE IS AWESOME! No problem with starts now ... I tried my hand at aluminum this morning ... before reading this post of coarse ... I had watched Jody's video before which is why I had set the balance at 65% ... not realizing that the direction of balance is opposite to Miller ... my first pass was a disaster like you said fried my tungsten and took out my #5 ceramic ... oops my bad ... made a few adjustments ... now getting a nice puddle and stacking dimes ... what a fabulous machine this 200DX is. This is the first time I've ever TIGGED aluminum and it's progressing nicely.

[Rodsmachineshop]

if the aluminum is really clean you dont need very much balance . when i weld heavy dirty stuff i use about 50 to 60 with a 1/8 electrode with a large cup