Thanks to all for the great comments so far! TIG is very exciting and I'm committed to learning how to do it!
Originally Posted by ezg55  ...Mechanical cleaning is only needed when the aluminum has been anodized.... |
On the extruded aluminum, I was using the stainless wire wheel to strip the annodization. I thought that brushing is also needed to remove oxidation, even if the aluminum is not annodized and appears clean. Will the alcohol remove the oxidation too? Or is removing the oxidation not as neccessary as I thought it was?
Thanks for the tip not to exceed 600F -- I think it was well below that temperature, but next time I'll use an infrared thermometer to verify. Also a good reminder to keep the filler rod in the argon stream -- which I did not do. I'll try again following these tips!
Originally Posted by ezg55 ...
A good TIG welder can lay a bead, with a 36 inch filler rod, feeding with one hand without stopping with perfect weld width and height. Keep up the practice. |
Feeding the whole 36 inch rod in one go? That's impressive. I tried to do this, but my feed hand keeps ending up 1" from the weld and so I have to stop. I'm still a bit awkward trying to walk my hand back along the filler rod without stopping. When I try it, I foul the tungsten with the filler rod as it bounces around.
One technique that worked was backing off the foot pedal, just barely maintaining the arc until the weld cools with the filler rod still in the puddle. When the puddle gets solid enough (about 2 seconds), I can move my hand back another 10" easily because the business end of the filler rod is stuck in the puddle and won't bounce around. Since the arc is still going, I just ease back onto the pedal and the aluminum pools again instantly. Anyone else do this? I have a feeling it's a bad habbit, but don't know better yet. =)
Originally Posted by ViperTX Also....only use the stainless steel brush on Aluminum....and brush in only one direction....your welding supply store will tell which wire to use....it all depends on whether you're to anodize or plate the aluminum afterwards... |
Another good point. I use Quimby welding supply in Portland; they are very knowledgeable and were poised to suggest the perfect filler rod for my base metal.... if only I knew what it the base metal was.
Originally Posted by thkoutsidthebox One possibility is that if you brush too hard with the stainless wire brush you can drive the oxidized surface particles into the metal, and when you begin to weld they are still there waiting to cause problems..... |
I'll order a stainless handheld brush and try it.
Originally Posted by thkoutsidthebox The question about the propane flame is very interesting. Unfortunately I can't offer an answer but am looking forward to seeing what others say. |
Yes, I would love to hear if anyone has had success TIGing aluminum after preheating with a flame! I plan to do a lot of aluminum, so this will be a handy thing to know.