You didn't say in your post if the welder was being used with flux core wire prior to you adding the argon and spool gun. If you were, you need to make the change over in the back of the welder for gas welding vs flux core wire. And yes aluminum can be and was welded for years with the oxy acetelyne process.
Ok here is my exact set up. 100% Argon gas and yes Im pushing not pulling. Im welging 18 gauge 1X1 box tubing. Im builing a photography rig to mount to the underside of vehicles. Some of you may know I make my living shooting vehicles. So this is what I am welding. I also want to eventually fabricate and weld my own aluminum door panels and dash for some of project cars. Time is my side so I will learn eventually. I will use mineral spirits and a stainles brush. That might make all the difference. If that does not work, I will wait till next tax season and buy a TIG welder just dont tell my wife, I gotta work her up to it.
That statement is total and complete BULLSHIT !!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe YOU can't gas weld Aluminum,but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
Plain ol rubbing alcohol out of the medicine cabinet works good, evaporates completly leaving no film.
Good News. I figured out the problem with the help of a friend. The end of the hose wasn't in all the way into the machine. The result was I was not getting enough Argon gas to the substraight. Wow, what a difference. It works great, now I just need to develop my technique. Thanks all for the hints and tips.
Gas welding on Aluminum has been around for many years. The TIG welder has been around only since the late 40's and in production in the 50's. Boeing, Douglas, Lockeed all had gas Aluminum welders(mostly ladies) on staff. Lots of 3003 & 5056 has seen the gas tourch. If you want to see a true pro and artist check out Kent White, the TinMan. Gas welding Aluminum gives you a larger HAZ than The TIG which can be a good thing depending on your app.
You sure the hell CAN gas weld aluminum. It takes alot of practice and a very keen eye and sense of what the base metal is doing. Dont let anyone tell you that it cant be done .Damn, a good torch man can gas weld just about any type of metalic material. Mike
Roger that. Gas welding aluminum used to be common place before the advent of the TIG process. Like anything, it can be done masterfully with practice, and the right flux. Clean clean clean clean, then clean some more. No AC square ware to help you here! If anyone has some good picts of AL gas welding, please post!
You'll never get it hot enough with a 140 to go into spray-transfer mode. Be sure you're pushing the gun at a bout a 15 degree angle.
I'm only 33, but in high school metal shop/welding I remember having to Gas weld steel and aluminum proficiently BEFORE touching the TIG. Maybe our metal shop was special or something.....
Hey there Watermelon Tits, You sure it aint the person welding...and not the welder !?!?!? Ha Ha Ha !
The way it was explained to me was a set of torches will do anything a tig welder will do in the right hands ,and then some.Yea i tig weld mostly, but a close second gas welding its the shit.
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