I bought the Miller 165 last week and have tried relentlessly to weld aluminum or run a bead with NO success. I've tried setting the amperage at all levels using straight Argon and Argon 75/25 mix and the only thing it does is either completely melts the aluminum or leave black specks on it from the arc. AND yes it's set to AC. I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with the machine...
with the newer inverter type of welders Ceriated or Lanthanated 1.5 or 2.0 work great I prefer the 2.0 Lanthanated. No balling of the end is needed, necessary or desired. You want a sharp point with just the end taken off to keep it from jumping off into the puddle. This allows for a smaller bead and also faster travel speed and use on thicker material because the arc is more focused.
Keep Tungsten tip pointed/sharp helps keep heat projected into the puddle and control. What i was told if anyone knows if thats true post it please thx Apprentice welder in training her :-)
@PandasplayinPuddles On aluminum, the tungsten tends to ball up on the end by itself due to the AC current. I'm not sure about this machine, but that's what happens on every machine I've welded on. You do want to have it sharpened like a pencil on DC while welding steel tho.
@kimbothebimbo805 I know! That is what I was saying. He was asking about whether the tungsten should be sharp and I was telling him about what to expect when welding on AC. And I have welded aluminum with Red aka 2% Thoriated tungsten just fine. If you watch the video about Todd Bevis, thats what I do for a living, build NHRA Pro Stock cars, so its not like I dont know what I'm talking about. Man I hate having people jump my shit every time I comment on a video.
I bought the Miller 165 last week and have tried relentlessly to weld aluminum or run a bead with NO success. I've tried setting the amperage at all levels using straight Argon and Argon 75/25 mix and the only thing it does is either completely melts the aluminum or leave black specks on it from the arc. AND yes it's set to AC. I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with the machine...
550Blues 3 weeks ago
Thank you to the pro instructors and to Miller for sharing these instructional videos. Very generous of you folks, it is appreciated. Thanks.
IRDeezlSmoke 1 month ago
just perfect.
lazhar700 1 month ago
MrTom609
watch this
tig aluminium welding technique
MrTom609 4 months ago
Comment removed
MrTom609 4 months ago
Great series. I wish they had more on how to set the settings. I tried using a miller syncwave with all the digital settings and I was lost.
theknightlynews 9 months ago
Great videos
Coon8448 10 months ago
with the newer inverter type of welders Ceriated or Lanthanated 1.5 or 2.0 work great I prefer the 2.0 Lanthanated. No balling of the end is needed, necessary or desired. You want a sharp point with just the end taken off to keep it from jumping off into the puddle. This allows for a smaller bead and also faster travel speed and use on thicker material because the arc is more focused.
allessence 1 year ago
Excellent video! Can't wait until I can afford a proper miller machine that can do AC!
natealb 1 year ago
Aluminum welding is AC welding, penetration is low if i remember correctly
PandasplayinPuddles 1 year ago
Keep Tungsten tip pointed/sharp helps keep heat projected into the puddle and control. What i was told if anyone knows if thats true post it please thx Apprentice welder in training her :-)
PandasplayinPuddles 1 year ago
@PandasplayinPuddles On aluminum, the tungsten tends to ball up on the end by itself due to the AC current. I'm not sure about this machine, but that's what happens on every machine I've welded on. You do want to have it sharpened like a pencil on DC while welding steel tho.
(Professional race car fabricator)
unseenpunk1906 1 year ago
@unseenpunk1906
the tungsten is suppose to ball up and stay that way for aluminum, but on stainless or mild you want it sharp
the red tungsten is for steel's and green tungsten is for aluminum, and yes it does matter
kimbothebimbo805 1 year ago
@kimbothebimbo805 I know! That is what I was saying. He was asking about whether the tungsten should be sharp and I was telling him about what to expect when welding on AC. And I have welded aluminum with Red aka 2% Thoriated tungsten just fine. If you watch the video about Todd Bevis, thats what I do for a living, build NHRA Pro Stock cars, so its not like I dont know what I'm talking about. Man I hate having people jump my shit every time I comment on a video.
unseenpunk1906 1 year ago
How bout the penetration?
Ichvyenichalster 1 year ago
Good video. So there is no weaving technique like in welding steel where you make knocked over dimes?
viper8red 1 year ago