[PSUBS-MAILIST] Aluminum Welding Technique Question

Thu Apr 24 15:28:47 EDT 2014

no prob.  I was just really suprised no-one said anything at all, i didnt
think it had got through!

On 24 April 2014 20:24, Steve McQueen via Personal_Submersibles <
personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:

>  James, I got it and added to my files.  Thanks!  I was just trying not
> to clog the archives with a "thanks" response.
> Steve
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 3:13 PM, James Frankland via Personal_Submersibles
> <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
>
>> Did anyone get my response and attachment to this post about aluminium
>> welding?  I was braced for a firestorm of criticism but nobody said
>> anything.  Either everyone agrees, doesnt care or didnt get it....which is
>> it?  :)
>>
>> Kind Regards
>> James F
>>
>>  On 23 April 2014 15:32, James Frankland <jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>> I was going to write my 2 pence worth (UK version) in reply to this, but
>>> im just going to attach a sheet i wrote which covers all i was going to
>>> say.  I know there are a lot of expert welders on the forum, so this is
>>> just my personal take on it.  I can get good results most times.
>>> Personally, i dislike the "balled electrode" thinking.  It will ball to a
>>> certain extent of course, but I dont like it to become bigger than the
>>> diameter of the electrode.  With correct frequency and as little cleaning
>>> as you can get away with, i can keep the ball small and arc tight.  The
>>> only thing not on this sheet is that torch angle is important.  As near to
>>> straight up and down as possible, this prevents the rod turning into a
>>> sausage before you get it into the pool.
>>>
>>> Just my 2p.
>>> Kind Regards
>>> James F
>>>
>>>  On 23 April 2014 01:01, Steve McQueen via Personal_Submersibles <
>>> personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>>  Thanks Dan.  I did use 100% argon gas but my tungsten has a red band
>>>> (2% thoriated).  I am also getting to know my machine settings so I'm sure
>>>> they where off. Lots to learn!
>>>>
>>>> Steve
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 7:28 PM, Daniel Lance via Personal_Submersibles
>>>> <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Steve,
>>>>> Are you using pure tungsten ( green band on one end ) and argon
>>>>> shielding gas ? . With the torch set on DC+ you will usually experience a
>>>>> tungsten melt down. Just set the machine on AC and run a pass on some scrap
>>>>> aluminum . You will get a balled end . Not to complicate things but a
>>>>> balled end is not exactly the most preferred condition in the world. But
>>>>> unless you have an inverter type machine with lots of parameter adjustments
>>>>> you really don't have much choice.  Alec is correct the amperage setting
>>>>> depends on the thickness of the material you are working with . If you are
>>>>> trying to join a thin piece to a thick piece its ok to preheat the thick
>>>>> piece first , just don't exceed 250 degrees F. Old oxidized aluminum is
>>>>> very difficult to weld unless the crusty white scale is removed . It should
>>>>> be nice and "shiny" before you start . And of course a little preheat never
>>>>> hurt anybody . Aluminum is a near perfect material for marine use , it is
>>>>> easy to cut , form , shape and weld . It can be painted , anodized or just
>>>>> left in its original mill finish.
>>>>> As far getting welding advice from Youtube , the only source I would
>>>>> recommend is "Welding Tips and Tricks" . This guy is really, really good .
>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>> Dan Lance
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  On Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 11:49 AM, Steve McQueen via
>>>>> Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>     I attempted some Aluminum welding this weekend.  I needed to
>>>>>> tack 2 together pieces of a trolling motor mount I modified for my stern
>>>>>> thruster.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I watched a video that said it is important to first first strike an
>>>>>> arc on DC+ for a few seconds to create a "ball" on the tungsten tip prior
>>>>>> to going back to the AC mode.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It was unclear in the video if the arc was being struck on an
>>>>>> Aluminum piece or the Steel welding table surface.  Does it matter?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Also they said the amp range should be set to 55-75.  Seem OK?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Steve
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
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