06-07-2008, 12:55 AM | #1 |
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Got Dice!
My one weak point in fabrication is tig welding. I just don't take enough time to practice and with tig it is practice that will get you good. So I figured why not play and practice at the same time so today I decided to start with the easy stuff Aluminum I am putting LowBuck in a car show on Sunday over in Woodland and thought a set of dice hanging from the rear view mirror would add a nice touch. So I found a sheet of Alum in the back bay and sliced up (6) 4" squares, punched some 3/4" holes and went at it. The weld's were ok but not real great then I found out from a friend that has my same tig machine that the tungsten I have is for steel and for alum I need 100% tungsten. May be that is why it was not working as smooth as it should. On Saturday I am going to make another one out of Stainless Steel and hang them both from the rear view (once I get their) just for the show. My wife has already called dibs on this one for her desk at work for a 1-6 pencil holder
Kevin LFD Inc. Last edited by Rokcrln; 06-07-2008 at 12:57 AM. |
06-07-2008, 01:00 AM | #2 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Cool, tig welding is ridiculous to learn, so many variables to deal with, I think I will stick with wire feed.
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06-07-2008, 01:14 AM | #3 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Yes Mig is so much easier and I have been doing it for 20+yrs now that it is second nature. I want to get to the point with my Tig that I don't even want to pull out my Mig. I am planning on doing alot more metal shaping and the weld produced by a Tig machine is alot more workable than that of a Mig machine. I know it will take some time but I have no doubt that I will be their soon enough
Kevin LFD Inc. Last edited by Rokcrln; 06-07-2008 at 01:24 AM. |
06-07-2008, 01:20 AM | #4 |
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Re: Got Dice!
What kind of machine do you have for tig? If its a synchrowave or something similar, use 2% (red top) like you would for steel. Sharpen it to a point like steel. It works better than the rest of them.
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06-07-2008, 01:29 AM | #5 | |
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Re: Got Dice!
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Kevin LFD Inc. |
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06-07-2008, 01:42 AM | #6 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Looks good to me: but I neither TIG, nor MIG. Just a little stick and gas.
Where's the car show in Woodland? I don't have anything to do Sun. I could maybe, just possibly, cruise up that way.
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06-07-2008, 01:59 AM | #7 | |
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Re: Got Dice!
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Kevin LFD Inc. |
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06-07-2008, 02:09 AM | #8 | |
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Re: Got Dice!
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I'll try to head up that way (I'll be coming out of Antioch) if my cousin and I don't end up working on his wife's C-20. If I don't get there, have a great weekend.
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06-07-2008, 06:45 AM | #9 |
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Re: Got Dice!
That came out nice.You`re like me,I`ve been meaning to practice on something.When you get aluminum down you know you got it.
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06-07-2008, 07:32 AM | #10 |
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Re: Got Dice!
www.millerwelds.com
They have tons of info on what to use when TIG welding.They also have lots of contests for home built projects of all kinds.I also just read an article in Classic trucks or CCT on TIG.I can't put my hand on it right now but I think it said 2% th tungsten for aluminum.
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06-07-2008, 07:56 AM | #11 |
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Re: Got Dice!
I evy you being able to weld like that. I have absolutely no experience with any kind of welding. My father-in-law just gave me his 110v welder and I am going to start practicing before I touch my truck with it.
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06-07-2008, 08:07 AM | #12 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Great work! My dad is welder by trade, and he is the go-to guy at the place he works for aluminum, stainless, cast iron and pressure pipe welding. He and I have the MIG vs everything else arguement all the time. He is awesome with TIG welds anything thin or delicate (including sheetmetal) and prefers to weld anything structural with a stick welder. He rarely welds anything with a MIG, and always picks at me saying MIG stands for "Many Idiots Get-it"! I use MIGs for almost everything, but I admit, its because I'm not a expert welder. I machined him plaque on a CNC mill he keeps on toolbox that reads "Pops Welding Shop - We can weld anything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn"
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06-07-2008, 10:40 AM | #13 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Thats look really good, you should make like 50 of em and sell em 15$ each. $$$$
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06-07-2008, 10:45 AM | #14 | ||
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Re: Got Dice!
Quote:
Quote:
So call up the Master and see what his thoughts are on tungsten color for Alum. Kevin LFD Inc. Last edited by Rokcrln; 06-07-2008 at 10:45 AM. |
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06-07-2008, 01:52 PM | #15 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Did these oxy/acetylene.
Last edited by Super-Dave; 06-07-2008 at 01:52 PM. |
06-07-2008, 08:25 PM | #16 |
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Re: Got Dice!
I think those turned great, nice work!
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06-07-2008, 09:51 PM | #17 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Pure green for your machine. Turn up the amps and ball the end instead of sharpening it.
I have a Miller Dynasty 300; it is an advanced square wave. On the Dynasty machines you cant use pure tungsten, and you have to point it. If you ever get the chance to try a Dynasty, try it... it sure makes a so so weldor like me look good. Technology is a great thing... oh by the way, it sure uses alot less juice than the old tech stuff. |
06-07-2008, 11:06 PM | #18 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Yes I plan on buying a real nice Tig machine one of these days but I figure if I can't master this one why buy up. Plus once I master this one a new tech machine will be so easy. I had my friend bring a pure green by today when he grabbed my car trailer and it worked great. I balled it up and turned up to 150 or so and wow I can now weld. I spent about 2hrs yesterday making (1) 4" dice. Today I spent 30 min making (2) 1 1/2" dice (time does not include finishing) and right out of the heat the welds looked great on the 1 1/2" dice as were the 4" needed to be ground to even lok decent. I would have left these but my wife wanted them smooth!
Thanks for all the input! Super-Dave I have never tried oxy/acetylene but I figure with stick, mig and now tig I should be good. I have done lead work with oxy/acetylene but not really the same thing. Dice look good. Kevin LFD Inc. |
06-08-2008, 12:17 PM | #19 |
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Re: Got Dice!
Wow that is clean, only in my dreams could I do that kinda work.
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