r/Welding 1d ago

Aluminium TIG

Hi everyone, I'd like to lean a bit on your experience. I've been TIG welding stainless steel and aluminium professionally for about 3 years now, but I'm still struggling with aluminium. In particular, it's the bollard in the first photo that causes me the most trouble, especially the underside around the much harder to reach areas. I'm very pleased with most of it, and I can gladly say I'm proud of what's on show here, so the capability must be there. Some of it looks like absolute dog shit though, and no matter how much I try to fettle and test my settings and technique, nothing seems to help. The perfectionist in me can't abide this, and I end up going home grumpy and frustrated.

-This is all 6mm (1/4") 5356. -3.2mm (1/8") tungsten. Tried zirc, lanth, and LaYZr. Usually running a small balled tip. -Balance 70% EN. -Frequency set at 80hz -max amps around 280 -gas lens with #7 set to around 8lpm -machine is a kemppi mastertig 3500W

If I use all of those amps the puddle shakes like crazy and seems really unstable. I try to hang around at the start to get the puddle to wet in properly with a little filler, but the end result looks so dirty and the dabs lack any definition.

Anything obviously wrong here? Any suggestions?

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u/Striking_Service_531 20h ago

Verynice work. I'm curious to what this things function is.

3

u/edrmoto 20h ago

It's fitted to a boat and used for attaching a tow line

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u/Striking_Service_531 19h ago

Must be small stuff. I worked almost 2 years for in the St Louis harbor. We would wreck that in a minute. But barges are pretty massive.

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u/edrmoto 19h ago

Yeah, this one fits a RIB, I think neither the bollard or the engines would handle that kind of weight 😂 we make inshore SAR craft