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Someone asked me recently ” why are there so many different kinds of tig cups?”
I also get lots of questions about how to weld aluminum.
So I thought of a joint configuration using some aluminum square tubing that would help demonstrate how different kinds of tig cups are used to weld aluminum and other metals.
Here are the highlights:
An acetone wipe down before welding usually helps a lot.
smaller tig cups are usually used for getting into tight angles but sometimes a gas lens cup works just as good or better by letting you extend the electrode. That saves time too by letting you use the same cup for all kinds of situations. But sometimes I like a small cup when the job allows for it because a #4 cup only requires about 8-10 cfh of argon flow…(thats important when you are low on gas and its Saturday evening and the job needs to be done before Monday.)
When you weld aluminum, there is a cleaning action from the arc that cleans away the oxide film so when you are making tack welds or starting a bead, it helps to let that cleaning action work and cook away the smut before actually puddling the metal. In other words, if you are having trouble with contamination, take your time and sneak up on it letting the cleaning action dance around a bit before you melt anything.
you can avoid crater holes when you weld aluminum by adding an extra drop or two of filler rod while wiggling the arc around as the amperage tapers.
Moving the arc 1/8″ and adding filler while you pause will give you the “stack of dimes” look ( not that a stack of dimes look is important for quality but that look seems to be sought after)
A TIG finger lets you prop near an aluminum weld without cooking your knuckles.
( And as always, feel free to visit us at our sister site, WeldingTipsAndTricks.com. )
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September 12, 2012 at 6:37 AM
Hi there i am a spraypainter panetbeater of 34 years i have allways used a mig i have just got myself a tig and would like to know as to what argon gas do i use when i tig alloy.i am using argon universal for my mig what is the one i have to have for alloy tig thank you noel jones …
July 20, 2012 at 6:54 AM
I always find your videos helpful and informative. I also just realized you live very very close to me haha. Oh to watch you in action, I could learn more than I’ve forgotten
January 20, 2012 at 2:51 AM
Jody, I sure do appreciate your videos. I have been welding for over 30 years and I have learned a lot of good stuff from your videos that I did not know.Thank you very much for sharing the knowledge you have with others like me. Keep up the good work.Also the Tig Finger works great.
January 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Hi Jody,
Thanks for this video…
I am looking forward for you to send me information regarding how would this welding job on aluminum be carried out;
for an aluminum material like in your video, what are the settings for amperage and the gas setting.
Thanks in advance.
December 10, 2011 at 1:12 AM
Jody, I really appreciate the way you lay it down, the welds and just your straight forward attitude! Another great video with good info! I have paid good money to take classes in Tig, Stick & Mig! I have learned more from you here, than all the classes I took combined!
I have purchased 3 tig fingers from you and they work great!!!!
Right now I’m practicing for my 6G pipe cert.with stick.
After I get that done I’m going for my 6G tig cert.
I just want them so that I can say I did it! Thank’s for all you do! Warren H. Colma,CA
December 9, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Good information, good video this week.
Russell
December 9, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Jody, this video was excellent, as usual. I admire your welding work a great deal – and although I’m interested in the physics and metallurgy behind exactly what’s going on here, I appreciate your straightforward approach and real-world focus. One other thing is your skill with making good video of arcs. So many other folks with videos posted of their welding work could take lessons from you in this regard. Your work is much appreciated, and the Tig-Finger does indeed kick ass!