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Old 08-08-2018, 10:38 AM
vroom vroom is offline
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Default TIG tacking aluminum

I could use a few tips on how to TIG tack .050 aluminum but welds.
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Old 08-08-2018, 12:11 PM
cliffrod cliffrod is offline
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At the 2017(?) Redneck Roundup, PatMan showed a couple of us how to do this by sliding the tungsten up into the cup to establish our arc length, setting/standing torch directly on the metal, giving the pedal a short on/off step and leaving the cup-torch in place until the weld cooled. We practiced our setup on a solid piece and then did a few on a butt joint.



There's other ways but this is pretty simple and consistent.
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Old 08-08-2018, 04:07 PM
Maxakarudy Maxakarudy is offline
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I find tacking without a tab of rod produces weak tacks that crack easy, so I dab a little rod, 1/16th

I rest the cup on the joint at angle, tungsten about 2mm off the panel, press the pedal full power at 50-60 amps, this puddles the joint, then dab.
The joint has to be touching or it will burn away creating a hole.
I'm sure there a lots different techniques, but this works for me
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Old 08-08-2018, 09:50 PM
BTromblay BTromblay is offline
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Hi, it is always interesting to see the different ways that people do something, but all end with the same results.

With .050" aluminum I would set the current around 50amps-ish. Start the arc, but with out melting any material. Once you can see what you are doing, continue to roll on pedal until you can see both panel edges melt. If one melts more than the other, adjust your torch position until the melt is equal. Roll on more pedal and add rod until it is tacked.

The above process seems like it would take long, but I can move fast along a panel. By slowing down and practice understanding what is happenings, you can tack with the best of us, in no time.

Bill
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Last edited by BTromblay; 08-08-2018 at 09:56 PM.
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Old 08-10-2018, 11:01 AM
crystallographic crystallographic is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vroom View Post
I could use a few tips on how to TIG tack .050 aluminum but welds.

I think you mean "TIG-tacking, no peek, no filler, on aluminum" ??
If so, I showed this on a video / dvd back in 1995 -



I'll post this process in a new thread ...
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