diversion 180 - aluminum - problem getting a puddle started

[ca434sbc4]

Hi I recently bought the 180 and can weld ok with it on steel - have good rate and consistent width. When trying to weld AL I'm having a terrible time to get a puddle started and not sure what I'm doing wrong here. The AL is 5051 cleaned with a new sanding disk - also tried a new stainless wire hand brush - no difference in results. gas flow is set to 15cfm - machine is on AC (Aluminum) @ 170 amps. Running argonsheild from BOC. Tungsten is a 3327ge3-3 (purple) - also tried a straight tungsten (green) No difference in results. the tungsten is used straight out of the package - no taper. All I get is a black crater and the material is sagging. What am I doing wrong?

[chewinggum]

For one thing, you are not sharpening your Tungsten. Like a pencil.
CG

[ja baudin]

This machine will run best with a blue or orange tungsten (Lanthinated or Ceriated for inverter machine). Sharpen to a point then flatten tip. 15-20 cfh. Make sure gas is pure argon. wipe down material first with acetone.

[cruizer]

Going to guess and say thats its a really old bottle if it says BOC on it cause they were taken over by Linde many years ago

[H80N]

Are you sure that you got PURE Argon..?? Not a gas mix..??

there are Many varieties of "Argoshield"....

here is a cross reference...

http://www.aoc.com.mx/biblioteca/tablas_conversion/COMPARATIVO_DE_GASES_DE_PROTECCION.pdf

as said before use a lanthanated or ceriated tungsten... PROPERLY GROUND...

All of that is covered in your owners manual

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o263920a_mil.pdf

See

OM-263 920 Page 30
SECTION 10 − SELECTING AND PREPARING A TUNG-
STEN FOR DC OR AC WELDING WITH INVERTER
MACHINES

Pls post some pics to give us a better idea ....

[ca434sbc4]

Turns out the gas was the problem.. took the welder over to a buddies shop - hooked it up to his bottle and vola nice puddles/beads.. The bottle I have has CO2 & O2 mixed in it. A different buddy picked the bottle up and I didn't check until after I got back form trying the different gas bottle.

going back to the gas vendor in the morning..

thanks

Are you sure that you got PURE Argon..?? Not a gas mix..??

there are Many varieties of "Argoshield"....

here is a cross reference...

http://www.aoc.com.mx/biblioteca/tablas_conversion/COMPARATIVO_DE_GASES_DE_PROTECCION.pdf

as said before use a lanthanated or ceriated tungsten... PROPERLY GROUND...

All of that is covered in your owners manual

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o263920a_mil.pdf

See

OM-263 920 Page 30
SECTION 10 − SELECTING AND PREPARING A TUNG-
STEN FOR DC OR AC WELDING WITH INVERTER
MACHINES

Pls post some pics to give us a better idea ....

[H80N]

Turns out the gas was the problem.. took the welder over to a buddies shop - hooked it up to his bottle and vola nice puddles/beads.. The bottle I have has CO2 & O2 mixed in it. A different buddy picked the bottle up and I didn't check until after I got back form trying the different gas bottle.

going back to the gas vendor in the morning..

thanks

Glad you got it sorted out... most LWS sell a whole bunch more Argon mixes for MIG than they do pure Argon...for TIG ...or (Aluminum MIG)
So.....pretty common for them to make the wrong assumption and try to give you a mix...
BTW... you will love the (TIG) world a lot more if you get some Lanthanated or Ceriated Tung and prep it as per the manual...

Do wonder what your steel beads looked like with that gas mix.... probably pidgeon poo... TIG would not have liked that for ANY metals... just PURE Argon or an Argon Helium mix for TIG... anything else is bad news..