PowerTig 200LX Aluminum noob pics

[Mad-Dax]

Ok here is my noobie Tig skills...don't laugh too hard

Using this


Practices...notice this is all the practicing I have done...maybe 15 passes.




Ok I cut the flanges off this intercooler and then rewelded them at different angles to fit my new 2JZGTE project.

Before


And after

[Mad-Dax]

I forgot to mention that I had gaps all over the place up to 1/2" because I didn't want to take time and grind them down to match better.

I also was welding over the MIG welds...that may be another reason why I found it so hard to do. It took me two hours and 5 5356 3/32 filler rods. 1/16 thoriated, 70-90 amps (I kept changing manually no foot pedal involved), Freq. at 3/4 to full 200 on the knob, A/C balance was usually set all the way left or 30 on the knob (sometimes I moved it up to about 40, anything at halfway or up would just ball the tungsten and melt it). The 4043 would just blob on there and I would go back over the welds with higher amps(120), more like 40 on A/C balance, and lower frequency to smooth/blend the material to fill the gas and blobs. I know it doesn't look neat but I can grind/sand it down and you would never know. Hey it will do the job for me.

[britstef]

you had the settings right and looks like u need to heat up the alum first a lil more give it more heat so that it would absorb the filler rod better and its hard to go over mig welds

[performance]

Cleaning the welds before you start is as important as the weld technique itself.

If you want to make that weld look better, Turn up the heat a little on the welder, and go over the top of the weld without the filler wire. This Hot pass will smooth things out.

[jericho777]

Looks like my first welds too! You're brave to attempt welding on a critical part right off the bat. You'll know how good your welds really are once you boost it! Your ride sounds sick. How much boost and HP?
I have the same welding cart and a similar welding helmet from HF. I think my welding cart is a little top heavy. Other than that they work fine.

[performance]

It is a good idea to put a cheap ratchet strap or some kind of tie down on top of those welders, especially on those cheaper carts. Hopefully, we will have some sort of new cart available soon.

[everlastsupport]

Mad-Dax,

Yea, I would strap it down as Mark said, and I would move it around via the actual welder. Very slowly. The front casters are small and it is top heavy. You can not roll over a hose or cable like I can with mine

On the aluminum, like all else, practice, lots of it. Hook it up and see if it leaks. Pretty comes later. Aluminum is not as easy as steel, but I think you did pretty good if you started there.

Britstef,

Did you post your cart here in the project forum or just on welding weld? You are the fellow doing the tuna towers with the aluminum cart right?