Here's a video showing how the arc gap can affect your weld. You're looking for that Goldilocks Zone. If you're having issues with scummy looking welds and black pepper floating around in the puddle you might be holding too far of a gap!

Thanks for checking out this idea I wanted to try. Since getting this little Xtool laser I've thought about scribing a path with some hash marks. Let's see if it works out.

Tips for Basic Filler Metal selection along with some resources for filler metal selection.
Aluminum filler metal chart from Aloctech http://alcotec.com/us/en/support/upload/Aluminum_Filler_Alloy_Selection_Chart.pdf
Washington Alloys Stainless Filler metal chart https://washingtonalloy.com/wp-co...

In Brad Goodman's video on full penetration aluminum he used a Miller Dynasty that has all the features like waveforms and amplitude settings.
A member commented that he would like to see a similar video using a much simpler machine like the CK MT200.
I used a #5 clear cup (they film better) with...

In part one, Brad gives a basic overview of how to set up an AC machine covering its functions, best practices, and some tips on how to navigate your own machine.

Brad Goodman shares some tips on how to hold your torch when TIG Welding

Setting up a Miller Diversion tig welding machine

A few of Jonathan's favorite amperage devices. Some amperage controls aren't so good, the video shows Jonathan's favs along with some tips on how to use them.

There are several charts in text books and on web sites that depict the penetration profile caused by different grind angles of tungsten electrodes.
I like to see things for myself so I tested 3 very different angles on pieces of 2% lanthanated electrodes ...all 3/32" (2.4mm).
I let the piece co...

The problem with tig welding carbon steel square tubing is that is is easy to melt thru and pull oxides into the puddle. When that happens, the puddle gets weird. Pulse settings can help.

One of the biggest struggles for new aluminum TIG welders is learning to feed TIG wire. In my opinion, it's one of the hardest parts of aluminum TIG to get ahold on.

Whether its a vertical weld or laying flat on the bench, the same techniques apply, but getting comfortable can be the main thing. The ABC's of welding are ...Always Be comfortable

Today we're looking at what I would consider the most common weld in aluminum fabrication - the open corner. Let's take a look at helpful position tips and a starting point for your settings.

Fabricating a stainless steel part and talking about maintaining the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Outside Corner joints using Aluminum angle backing

A very good TIG welding technique for pipe and a few other round shapes is walking the cup.
But its good to be also be able to freehand.
Sometimes there are obstacles that prevent walking the cup. For those occasions being able to prop with a tig finger can help.
Other times, a part has smooth m...

A laser cut aluminum star provides lots of different angles and opportunity to learn things like hand position

This video is about tig welding aluminum on AC at 50hz and at 250hz.
there was a noticeable difference at the 2 different settings. 50hz got completed penetration and 250hz did not penetrate.
I tried to keep travel speed the same for both welds by using a motorized welding positioner turntable.
C...

In this vdieo, I use a few different tig welding techniques to demonstrate that a pretty weld is not always a good weld. Filler rod size and technique are key factors.

The current waveforms are advanced square wave, soft square wave, sine wave, and triangle wave.
They all have slightly different looks, sounds and characteristics.
Some waveforms are supposed to be better for thin metals, others for thicker metals.
There is another advanced feature on a very few...

There is a lot to talk about.
things like tungsten electrodes..type and size ( i like 2% lanthanated for everything and 3/32 takes care of most of my daily welding)
shielding gases ...argon is best to start but if you begin to specialize in thicker aluminum, it might make sense to use a blend of ...

Questions about AC balance, AC frequency, tungsten electrodes, shielding gases, techniques for feeding wire, how to keep a tight arc without dipping in the puddle, and a lot more.
While I figure out the best way to answer as many questions as possible, I have to start by answering just a few of t...

There are many different ways to tig weld a tee joint. In this video I show 3 different ways...straight dcen with no pulse using a foot pedal, 1 pulse per second with foot pedal floored at 131 amps, and pumping the foot pedal for sort of a manual pulse.