Aluminum TIG help.

[millermania]

I rarely use carbide tools on a Bridgeport unless I'm doing something like stainless. A 1/2 carbide cutter on mild steel is usually best around 2000-2500rpm. They don't like to be run slow. If the machine is up to it, spin it at 2k and see if that helps. If not, us a HSS cutter instead. Also, you...

[millermania]

What feeds and speeds are you using? Cutter type? Depth of cut? Are you using oil?...

[millermania]

For these little bandsaws, run it at the slowest speed for stainless. Also, buy a bi-metal blade.

The rule of thumb for teeth per inch (TPI) is 3 teeth engaged in the material at all times. So if the material is 1" thick, use 3TPI. For 1/4", use 12TPI. I think the smallest...

[millermania]

The higher percentage gives you a bit more current capacity. So, for 150A-200A, I like using a 2% lanth. 3/32 tungsten.

[millermania]

So, I finally got the hang of doing stringer beads on a plate of .095" aluminum. Now, I'm moving on to trying butt welding two plates of .095" together. The machine is a D200DX. The settings are 100A, AC, 70% balance, 120Hz freq., 3/32 1.5% lanth (ground 30-degrees, .01" flat), 18CFH...

[millermania]

Can you post pictures of your welds?

Are you saying you can't even put down the simplest of welds with your Dynasty? Try using 1/8" steel, set the machine to 130A DC, use 3/32 tungsten (I used 1.5% lanthanated, others have been successful with ceriated and thoriated). Argon set...

[millermania]

After the flash happens, how does the weld bead look? If the cause is dirty material, the bead will also look like crap. The only time it flashes like that is if I run across some section that is the slightest bit dirty or I forget to turn on the gas.

[millermania]

I recently picked up a bunch of airtools at a garage sale. Some of them have a 1/4" male NPS fitting on them. I cannot for the life of me find any hardware store that carries any NPS stuff that I can use to rig up an air hose to. I know you're not supposed to use NPT and NPS together, but would...

[millermania]

I'm almost done building the cage for my racecar and had to do quite a bit of out of position welding. One thing I picked up from this site is putting the foot pedal between your legs and controlling it that way. Another thing I've had to do a lot of is kneeling on the pedal. By far, the hardest...

[millermania]

Soap provides lubricity, but it is a base and can react with metals. By throwing in a bit of vinegar (an acid), you neutralize the soap so that it isn't going to react with the metal (and the drill bit), but still provides lubrication. You need to get the mixture right though. Too much vinegar makes...

[millermania]

1.5"x.120" wall should do the job. Is the Metro 2000lbs? If so, .095 wall should be sufficient. 5"-6" bend radius is the general size for 1.5" tubing.

Are you building a full cage or just the rear section? Driving around on the street with a full cage and...

[millermania]

Go with the manual. The only auto I'd trust is the GM Allison on the Duramax.

[millermania]

Are collets (on TIG torches) made from brass or copper?

[millermania]

Yeah, they all have this soft high-pitched whine.

[millermania]

Ahh excellent suggestion! Would a 25/75 He/Ar work well? Or would you say just go to straight He?