Welding Aluminum and Mucked up Tips

[Richcz28]

Nice.

Thanks

And thanks for the advice!

It took walking away from it a few times, one whole spool of aluminum, and probably a dozen tips, but I'm starting to get real happy with how this setup is working.

 

[tRustyK5]

Definitely looking decent now. Not sure what you're using to brush that off...but use a stainless steel brush only on aluminum. Carbon traces from regular wire brushes can play hell with your work.

 

[Richcz28]

Definitely looking decent now. Not sure what you're using to brush that off...but use a stainless steel brush only on aluminum. Carbon traces from regular wire brushes can play hell with your work.

I have a stainless brush and wire wheel. I've mostly just been using the hand brush.

 

[A1971Blazer]

As with any weld, try to get your hands/arms/body in as comfortable position as possible in order to be as steady and consistent as possible.

Learning to make strong, pretty welds takes lots of practice. The more you do it, the better you will get.

Looks like you're on the right track...

 

[jekquistk5]

Good job rich!

 

[rdn2blazer]

Nice improvement! I knew you'd get it with help here. Bad ass!

 

[KirsL]

Very nice progress. Good job . Now just to get more seat time to get even better.

 

[Richcz28]

Thanks guys!

I finished up my cart I was building last night and loaded it up today.

 

[cuervo]

When I first started doing aluminum with my Miller and had the same issues with tips. I got a tip from my welding supply house that work pretty well. I went from burning up 5 tips to just 1 in the same time frame.

It's pretty simple but once you start your arc pull the tip farther away from the work. I was about an inch away from the work so when got that little pop that would normally weld the filler to the tip it wouldn't do it as much.