Good advice for those that weld aluminum

[root]

If you think your aluminum welding skills have suddenly taken two steps backwards...

Check to make sure you didn't pick up a 308 stainless steel filler rod by mistake.

And, no Craig. You may not post in this thread.

[Vicegrip]

"Boy, this Al filler rod sure is stiff"

How about a "Dumb stuff you have done while (trying) to weld" thread for stuff like this and my gas mix- mix up. I bet there are some good ones.

[jonsam]

Forgetting to turn the gas on with the mig is a fun one. It's amazing what a difference a little shielding gas can make.

[root]

"Boy, this Al filler rod sure is stiff"

Hehehe.

And it was fighting the heat. Didn't want to melt into the puddle. When I would try and put it in, instead of melting it would poke a bigger hole into the joint.

[root]

Forgetting to turn the gas on with the mig is a fun one. It's amazing what a difference a little shielding gas can make.

Indeed. I did that recently as well. I had shut off the gas because I was about to stop for the day. Went inside for a few minutes, then realized I had a little time left, so went back into the garage and started to weld again. Forgot about the gas. Oops.

I should shut up now or else nobody will ever hire me.

[pro70z28]

I've run the argon tank empty. Same result as forgetting the valve, just more gradual.

[TS-Off-Road]

If you think your aluminum welding skills have suddenly taken two steps backwards...

Check to make sure you didn't pick up a 308 stainless steel filler rod by mistake.

And, no Craig. You may not post in this thread.

HA! HA! Been there, Done that!

[storm]

how bout using acetylene as the shielding gas?? anyone done that?? I thought I saw a thread about it somewhere.. hehe

[mudsplasher]

Another tip.... do not store your magnesium rods within10 feet of your aluminum rods.

[tnjind]

Acetelyne tanks have lefthand thread to prevent just such a thing.

[Samurai Dave]

What's up with this electrode?

Some guy took 3 inches of stainless rod, sharpened a point on it, replaced the tungsten in a guy's TIG gun. Guy came back from lunch. That stainless sure looked like tungsten, but didn't weld like it.

[root]

Some guy took 3 inches of stainless rod, sharpened a point on it, replaced the tungsten in a guy's TIG gun. Guy came back from lunch. That stainless sure looked like tungsten, but didn't weld like it.

Must have been Craig that pulled that prank.

[croyall]

Running stainless mig wire w/o gas on steel

I got a great deal on my first mig welder because the guy that purchased it new had stainless wire inside and no gas. He was trying to weld mild steel and couldn't get anything to stick. He sold it to a pawn shop that a friend of mine owned. My friend called me about a great deal. I went right down and picked this thing up for less than half the price the guy paid two weeks earlier. That guy ended up going to a different welding supplier and bought a much larger welder than he ever needed and paid a lot more. I guess over all we all ended up getting what we wanted. The guy got a monster welder, The pawn shop got some money and I got started in welding. The only problem as my wife says it started an addiction.

[Craig in Denver]

My 100th Non-Post

And, no Craig. You may not post in this thread.

..........

[bob_e95482]

If you think your aluminum welding skills have suddenly taken two steps backwards...

Check to make sure you didn't pick up a 308 stainless steel filler rod by mistake.

And, no Craig. You may not post in this thread.

Were you peeking in my window?