aluminium pratice...

[m3pedro]

Hello,

only had a few mins to practice today after I came back from work.

I decided to play with the balance control..... the first bead

I found that I got a nicer looking bead and it was easier to weld with more cleaning 5.5 setting.

how do they look?

the very first one my setting were way off,

the second one I went with more penetrating balance and was better but looked kind "dirty" had little bumps on the surface.

the next one I turned the cleaning action up, and low and behold I got a nice bead!

the on the forth and last one, the small piece was very hot and the puddle was hard to control and didn't come out as good.....

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=19;image

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=20;image

but I think I'm getting the hang of it, tommorow I'll do some LAP and then try a fillet...

I not sure how to improve them....I'll just keep practicing I guess......I went thru about 4 rods today.....like 20 beads...only...goto find time to practice some more....

I'm waiting for my tig video from "mr.tig" maybe I'll get some help from it.

I wish I could watch a pro......that would help.....

[Scott T]

You can check this out, a couple of short video's that might help. Scott

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...ad.php?t=17710

[hankj]

m3p,

Those look a Helluva lot better than my first ones! A tip I got from George (Sundown) when I started was to keep a bucket of water handy to dip the coupons in between attempts. Once they get real hot, it ain't so good, as you found out!

Hank

[m3pedro]

my first lap joint.......

first lap joint ever.........I failed ............ miserably.........

on the other hand my practice beads are looking alot better.......

that little video helped alot......

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=21;image

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=22;image

I had a hard time controling the arc and the heat on the lap joint.

the top plate kept melting first...

also since I was using more power I had a problem with the rod melting before it got to the pool and dripping off the rod!

I was clueless.......

if I remember from my oxy class......

I should just direct more heat on the bottom plate and once a get a pool to keep the heat on the bottom plate because the heat of the pool and the radiat heat fromt the arc will be enough to melt and join the top plate......

so I guess I will try that next time.....

you guys have any tips?

I'm scared what my fillet on a T joint will look like.....I guess I got to start somewhere.....

[m3pedro]

First fillet, T joint......

aarghh....

it was as difficult as I expected, I think my main problem is my torch position/angle.

......

my first
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=24;image

...and my second try.....
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=25;image



I need to buy more alum...... I'm all out. I'm almost out of argon too......wow....was surprising.....

[fun4now]

you should order the student packet from miller, its only $25 free shipping and its got a lot of good info in it. any thing yoiu cant find in the TIG book is in the MIG book. it also has a set of colculators that will be helpfull on seetings.
bigest thing is "just keep practicing"

[storts]

Wow

aarghh....

it was as difficult as I expected, I think my main problem is my torch position/angle.

......

my first
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=24;image

...and my second try.....
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=25;image



I need to buy more alum...... I'm all out. I'm almost out of argon too......wow....was surprising.....

First try,,,been doing it for 30+ years,,never took pics,as it would of probably broke the lenze You deffinally have the hang of it,,Have you tried walking the cup?Sure helps when starting on those fillets,BUT,,,practice ,,Rome wasnt built in a day,Good Luck,your on the way,Jack--PS, Have you tried a gas lense?I love em,Just my option,,,,

[metal-doctor]

aluminum practice

That is super video . After doing aluminum today I can see where improvements can be made on my end.Why can't miller do something like that because it would shorten the learning curve.Thanks for sharing & look forward to more if possible.

[m3pedro]

I'm going to attemp to shoot some video.

what is walking the cup?


i did download the TIG book from miller's website and have been reading it and it has been extremly informative

as far as parameters, I bought the MIller calculator from my local Welding store. So all my setting come from there.

I'll keep trying'

[imported_frank865]

I'm going to attemp to shoot some video.

what is walking the cup?


i did download the TIG book from miller's website and have been reading it and it has been extremly informative

as far as parameters, I bought the MIller calculator from my local Welding store. So all my setting come from there.

I'll keep trying'

Take a look at this;
http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com/WalkingTheCup.htm

[m3pedro]

pepsi challege.

ran out of alum.

so I decided to take the pepsi challege............err Guarana diet challenge

two very thin alum. soda cans together....

I did alright......next time I'll do better
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=26;image

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=27;image

180SD, 1/16 pure tungsten,1/16 rod, pure argon and 35amps on the digital dial.

[weldor1]

first lap joint ever.........I failed ............ miserably.........

on the other hand my practice beads are looking alot better.......

that little video helped alot......

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=21;image

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=22;image

I had a hard time controling the arc and the heat on the lap joint.

the top plate kept melting first...

also since I was using more power I had a problem with the rod melting before it got to the pool and dripping off the rod!

I was clueless.......

if I remember from my oxy class......

I should just direct more heat on the bottom plate and once a get a pool to keep the heat on the bottom plate because the heat of the pool and the radiat heat fromt the arc will be enough to melt and join the top plate......

so I guess I will try that next time.....

you guys have any tips?

I'm scared what my fillet on a T joint will look like.....I guess I got to start somewhere.....

Try preheating, to about 4to600 degrees puddle will flow easier

[weldor1]

cans!!!!!!!!!!!!

ran out of alum.

so I decided to take the pepsi challege............err Guarana diet challenge

two very thin alum. soda cans together....

I did alright......next time I'll do better
http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=26;image

http://bmw1602.lostbrazilian.com/for....0;id=27;image

180SD, 1/16 pure tungsten,1/16 rod, pure argon and 35amps on the digital dial.

Where do you guys get these ideas??? The can thing is one of the best practice ideas i have seen. I have welding for 25 years and never thought of that one. I just might try it. The can deal is what our piping test coupons look like.
Try walking the cup, with a figure 8 motion with your hand.

Nice job though

[Terence638]

I remember my high school shop teacher making a statement about how a welder shows his wears if he can weld to cans together. back then 25 years ago,
I guess it was a tin can and not AL.,
The short video was very good.
I think if you walk the cup you will tend to destroy the cup in time. Much sooner than if you free hand.
Terence