Aluminum Welding with TIG is a bit harder than with steel.
Aluminum is more conductive and has an aluminum oxide skin that can throw you some curves.
But aluminum is a great metal for Tig welding practice.
In the words of the old-time wrestler who used an oak tree for an opponent….”after a tree, a man is easy.”
Can Tig welding aluminum really make you a better tig welder for stainless steel, carbon steel, nickel, titanium and every other metal?
Here’s a few reasons why welding aluminum is good tig welding practice:
Your filler rod hand gets more work,
you dont need to wire brush between weld beads,
aluminum makes you constantly watch the puddle and adjust amperage
Trust me on this – by doing this aluminum welding drill, you will sharpen your tig welding skills for all other metals.
I have seen welders improve skills using aluminum time and time again. Even welders who don’t weld aluminum for their job.
Invest 5 bucks, get a piece of 11ga aluminum and some filler rod and try it….
( And as always, feel free to visit us at our sister site, WeldingTipsAndTricks.com. )
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January 30, 2019 at 9:29 AM
Thanks for the great insight! It’s always helpful to learn more about the benefits of aluminum welding and how that fits into our business.
July 16, 2015 at 12:28 AM
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at a few of the articles
I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly delighted I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it
and checking back often!
February 7, 2013 at 8:23 AM
Jody,
First of all, thank you for all your time and effort that you put to teaching! I was trying to find you video where you mix argon and helium to weld thick aluminum, or aid in making hotter arcs that need less amperage. I could not find it. Any know how about its where abouts? Thanks!
Roland
December 26, 2012 at 4:16 AM
hi thanks for the comemnt,i wasnt really expecting someone like you would post a comemnt at my video.i hope u never have had hard time understanding my poor english i had watch on ur videos.i hope i could reach that level of knowledge and skills u had but i just got started and our training was just once a week and 8 hours only,hopefully this month i could enroll in gtaw class .anyway,thanks for the encouragement more power to you.and godbless
January 29, 2012 at 6:38 PM
Hi Jody,
Great site, learning a lot. I need some info, I would like to see a video on shield gases.
Some Manufactures suggest for stainless a tri mix H-Ar-Co2.
I’ve talked to some people who say an Ar-Co2 mix will work.
Basically what gas is recommended for what material, and what will acutely work.
Thanks, Jody keep the vids coming.
September 29, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Tig finger best money I have ever spent!!!
Thanks for the Videos!!
September 7, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Hey Jody,
I received my three TIG Fingers just a few weeks ago (maybe 3-4) can I get the latest aluminum video for free? You offer for free when someone orders 1 TIG Finger?
Am I asking to much just tell me to go away : ) But I had to ask : )
Great TIG Fingers buy the way!
Cheers
September 7, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Thanks again Jody. Love the videos!
-Ronnie
September 7, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Jody,
What a blessing it is to have a teacher like you available online! Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge!
-Travis
September 7, 2011 at 4:54 AM
Jody,
Another job well done on this expansion of your aluminum welding tips. Thank you for your efforts, time and dedication for sharing your experience.
Jim
September 7, 2011 at 3:44 AM
Dear Jody: as usual, a great Video, I recently used some of your technique welding 304ss 4 inch sch 40 pipe, I did not pass the test due to a piece of rod sticking through the root. I forgot to bring my Tigfinger to the test……..dang……your stuff is very informative even for a guy who has been around for awhile……Best Regards, Paul in Orlando……
January 12, 2013 at 4:25 AM
Hi Jody, another terrific informative video.
Just wanted to say thanks for passing on all this knowledge and experience to us and making us better welders!
Please keep the videos coming.
Kind regards Nick