Help Learning TIG

[psyolent]

1st weekend in feb would make it 6th Feb. that works for me. vlad01/hq355/others?

[Gareth]

I fucking hate tig
Please help HQ

[vlad01]

You need to use AC on alloy and have the AC balance to have more -ve electrode so the electrode doesn't ball up and cause a wandering arc. I cant remember the value of balance, maybe 20/80 + - ?

The positive polarity does the cleaning (deoxidizing) action and the negative polarity does the focusing and penetration. So less positive and more negative bias on the AC balance should give you the best welds.

[Gareth]

That was AC

[vlad01]

but what balance? default is 50/50 and it be a bit harsh on the electrode

[HQ355]

What tip are using ? It's a different one on alloy and you don't sharpen it to a needle, the end of the tip is shaped like a half ball. I also don't let the tip hang out as much doing alloy. The other thing with ally is it's got to be spotless, no contamination allowed

[Gareth]

The tip was gold, according to the specs suitable for ac alloy, scrap bits where cleaned with prepsol, tip was rounded to a ball (bit doesnt stay like that long, seems to burn?) was hanging out about 3mm like the guide that came with the welder says....

I love my mig...

[HQ355]

Gold tip is universal, are you using argon or the mig gas ? Are you in urgent need to get somthing rigged or can it wait until 6th feb, I'm going away in a few days

[Gareth]

I made a radiator protector screen, they where practice welds, using striaght argo.

Looking forward to the 6th

[HQ355]

6th will be great your welds don't look too bad on an iphone screen, bit of practice and tuition and you'll love your tig ! Ally is the hardest to weld, mild steel and stainless is easy