Ok more questions. I bought a little lincoln 125 & argon & I can't get the 1/16" aluminum to weld right. The welds seem to be good, but when I whack it with a hammer, pull it or whatever they come apart. What am I doing wrong?
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
I'm not familiar with the welder you're talking about but I'm assuming its a mig. Do you have the right gas for welding Ally? David
------------------ D.A. & P.M. Fisher Signwriting Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
Posted by Greg Sellers (Member # 900) on :
Is it pure argon? What polarity is it running on? What # wire and what size wire? What volts and amps?
I'm not a welder but my dad is a retired welding instructor. He was a welder for 25+ years, and taught for 12 or so years. I called him this is what he needs to know to help. You can call me tommorow if you would like and I'll try to get him on the phone with us. He should be able to help. 205-477-0955
Felix; I am assuming that you have mig, now is the feed 1/16th or the material you are welding 1/16th? 1.) In either case you may not be getting enough penetration into the parent material because you can lay a nice bead but not get enough bite into the material you are trying to weld to. You need to look on the reverse side of the welded material after laying a bead to see if there is any indication of fusion between the jounts you just welded. 2.) Not knowing what grade of aluminun you are welding to, you might investigate if the feed of the welder is compatable with the aluminum you are welding. 3.) Sometimes crystilization occures when the argon is not continued after the welding is stoped,this also would make for brittleness, make sure that the gas continues to flow for a few seconds after the welding stops and that it gets onto the new weld. I know about this "stuff" having a "tig" left over frm the days when I went by the name "Headers N Letters" earlier on.
Kurtzman Norwalk Ct.
------------------ Creative communication since 1959
Posted by Glenn Hall (Member # 1877) on :
Clean , Clean , Clean
Aluminum must be free from any and all foriegn materials, no exceptions if you want good results.
Never use a grinding wheel that has previously ground any type of steel, the same goes for cut off wheels.
Always use stainless steel wire brushes and wheels.
Clean any paint or oxidation that might be present.
If all of the above have been followed my second guess would be to turn up the Argon pressure.
------------------ Glenn Hall Hall of Graphics Toledo, Il
Posted by Ken Morse (Member # 1799) on :
Try preheating the material with a torch to temper and allow deeper penetration. All the previous advice tips are also very good.
------------------ Ken Morse Jamn Graphics Santa Cruz, CA
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
Thanks a ton guys. Gregory, I'm running it on C & 5.5 speed mig. The aluminum wire is .035. Pure argon.
The aluminum I'm trying to weld is 1/16".
JG, I'm not sure what you mean about the aluminum grade bit.
Glenn, I havent used clean stuff. I use the same for everything, I'll buy new brushes & whatnot.
Thanks again so much guys. I knew I could count on ya!
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
