Hello all,
I am very new to welding . Right now I have done some steel and aluminum, simple practice stuff, and have not done very well. I'm trying to make a shelf unit out of 1" square, 1/8" wall aluminum extruded tubing. I got 1/8 wall because it was freely available and relatively cheap, but should probably have gone with a 1/16 wall.
Anyway my first request is could there be a video made showing how best to start a fillet weld on tee joints? There's lot's of stuff on butt welded plates, which seems to be a bit easier, but I have a hell of a time getting a fillet weld started.
Extra info: I should also add that I am trying TIG, on a Lincoln precision TIG 185. I've been running a number 5 cup 3/32" lanthanated tungsten. AC at roughly 70% penetration / 30% cleaning (it's just a dial knob so a bit approximate). Maximum current is set to 160 amps - not sure what current I am really running because I'm not going full tilt on the pedal.
I did just watch "Intro to TIG Welding EP11 - How NOT to TIG Weld" which has certainly raised some interesting points and given me a good direction to check.
And now my first question, which is - when your aluminum weld bead is all gray, rather than shiny, what does that indicate? I'm guessing too much heat, so maybe too slow travel?
EDIT: Got rid of the waffle. TL; DR. Thanks for looking.