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Posts Tagged ‘electrode’

Aluminum gas welding can be accomplished with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and it can also be used to weld steel, as well as other metals. GTAW is also called tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Welding steel is one of the easier jobs when using rig welding, but there are a number of factors, which make it much harder to weld aluminum.

From cleanliness, arc length, machine settings, welding with a dirty tungsten electrode, filler rod angle, type of electrode, torch angle and size of electrode – you have to be extra-careful with all of these factors when you tig weld aluminum.

Here we go over these factors and how you have to be much more careful with aluminum than with steel.

- Make sure that the settings for your machine are correct. Set your machine to use alternating current and the high frequency switch should be at continuous mode otherwise it will make the arc stutter.

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- A piece or object of aluminum left outside is likely to be highly oxidized after having come in contact with the elements. That should be weld only after thoroughly cleaning it – otherwise it will burn or weld extremely fast.

- Arc length – it is important to keep the arc at just the correct length. Arc lengths too long or too short, both should be avoided with aluminum. Too short the length, you your metal will jump on your electrode, damaging that and you. Too long a length and the heat will not be pinpointed enough to be of proper use.

- Keep your electrode clean. A dirty electrode will make the weld sooty – taking any fun out of the job you may have been having.

- Do not use pure tungsten electrodes with the new types of tig inverters to weld aluminum. The old types could use them, but not these new ones.

- You should keep the 1/16″, 3/32″ and 1/8″ sized tungsten electrodes within easy reach when working with aluminum. With steel it is one size fits all policy, where you can go with a 3/32″ tungsten for most of the jobs. But with aluminum, you need different electrodes depending on the thickness of the aluminum.

Aluminum gas welding just needs to be done with more care than other types of welding. Keep all these factors in mind and you will have your aluminum boat repaired or your ladder fixed in the best possible manner.

Learn how to pick the right electrode for your arc welding project in this free DIY video for beginners.

Expert: teacherjon
Bio: Jon holds a Bachelors of Science in Education and Human Sciences degree, with an endorsement in Industrial Technology Education from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Filmmaker: Jon Olson

Don’t worry too much about how your welds look at first:
* While you’re improving electrode control, you’ll be learning more about different welding job situations.
* Plus I’ll tell you WHY it’s important to have good rod control.
* After you read these tips, THEN you can practice your welding rod control techniques.
* Whether you swing a golf club or a bat, if you don’t practice in correct ways, the results can be at least EMBARRASSING!

Let’s talk about arc pressure and gravity:
1) Arc pressure is produced by the voltage from the machine as it’s pushing the molten metal outwardly.
2) The pressure will vary depending on machine settings, rod size, & the amount of arc gap.
3) Gravity not only effects the direction of the molten metal, but also it’s going to try to make your puddle drip.
4) If you’re arc welding in a flat position, you mainly just worry about keeping the rod at right angles to the work-pieces, & tilted away from the puddle, to help control the puddle & the slag. (And that will help you to SEE THE PUDDLE!).
5) If you’re going to weld in a vertical position, you need to aim the arc up-ward to preheat the metal & to help keep the puddle from dripping.
6) At the same time, in vertical welding, you no longer need to worry about slag, because gravity is keeping it out of the way.
7) For horizontal positions it’s a lot the same. Gravity will try to drip the weld, so you aim the arc upwardly.
For overhead jobs you keep the rod nearly straight up for the same reasons. You don’t want to do any weaving in overhead welding, instead just use straight “stringer” beads.

Pipe welding:
* Pipe welding is rather unique, in that it involves all positions as you go around it. You will gain real electrode control experience in pipe welding!
* Horizontal welding on pipe can be tricky too, because you need to keep changing the rod angle as you go around.
* Save overhead welding practice for last. Get used to ELECTRODE CONTROL & amp settings in the easier welding positions first.

General tips:
* Learn to keep the arc length as steady as possible, plus keep the rod angle steady.
* Weld in a straight a line. This helps to give your welds to look better, and to give them more strength.
* Use both hands to steady the rod. Either place both hands on the rod holder, or one hand on the rod itself, until it gets too short (or until the rod gets too hot).
* Work on a steady speed to keep a uniform puddle shape. An oval shape is good, but don’t let it get too pointed. A round shape may be too wide, unless you need a wider or heavier bead for the job you’re doing. You’ll soon be able to judge that your welding speed is right for the job size & situation.
* Finding a good amperage setting for the job at hand, will help you to concentrate on getting a good weld, & not be fighting sticking rods, or having the rod burn through the work-piece.
* Learn to hesitate slightly at the start of your welds to ensure that the “puddle” forms sufficiently.
* Also pause a bit, at each side of the bead, when you’re doing a weave weld, to make sure there is good penetration.

REMEMBER, Don’t worry too much about how your welds look at first! Now start practicing!

Joel Ort of Miller Electric Mfg. Co. shares his tips for MIG welding success. Placing the focus on MIG technique, Ort’s useful comments are applicable for many garage applications involving farm and automotive repairs. Topics include: simple setup, butt joints, T-joints, lap joints and horizontal, vertical and overhead welding positions.

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TIG welding is considered as the most  flexible process of welding as it can easily be merged with all the conventional metals such as Carbon and low alloy steels, stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, cobalt, and copper alloys. TIG welders also known as the Tungsten Inert Gas Welders makes use of an arc which is been created from the non-consumable tungsten. The heat is generated through electric current for the welding process.

Moreover, this kind of welding has several benefits like the high amperage in it allows the welding of metals with great thickness; also it include the concerns related to the purity of metal and its cleaning. In addition, welding is known as a skilled technique that requires lot of practice, patience and safety gear. TIG welder is one specific kind of welder. TIG welder is mainly used for complex and stylistic welding. Described below is certain tips that you need to consider while using TIG welders.

Instructions

1. Make sure to pick the better electrode in order to use for the project you are starting with; also you can make use of variety of alloys such as the 6061 Aluminum alloy electrode.
2. You need to grate the electrode to a certain point. Try to create a tip and sharpen it to make it more rounded as you weld.
3. Place the electrode into an electrode holder with the tip about 1/4-inch away from the case. You can choose the settings on your TIG welder. In fact, the three major ones are AC, DCEP and DCEN. You can choose AC for aluminum.
4. Remember to set the air on for five seconds with the max amps to 250. Also, turn on the gas. While using aluminum, you can use pure argon. For steel, an argon and carbon dioxide mix.
5. Scrub your welding table or the flat piece of sheet metal with a wire brush in order to make it clean and flat.
6. You can gear up the full welding safety gear including glasses, apron, helmets and gloves.
7. Always, hold the electrode in your dominant hand and you can start up your welding project.
8. You need to check your settings frequently to make sure they have not changed and you can adjust them as required.

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Learn how to care for and maintain arc welding electrodes from an arc welding expert in this free DIY video. Expert: Malcolm MacDonald Bio: Malcolm MacDonald graduated from Connestoga College in 1968 taking the Fitter Welding Program. Filmmaker: Melissa Schenk

Learn how to care for and maintain arc welding electrodes from an arc welding expert in this free DIY video. Expert: Malcolm MacDonald Bio: Malcolm MacDonald graduated from Connestoga College in 1968 taking the Fitter Welding Program. Filmmaker: Melissa Schenk

Product Description
Features and Benefits

• All position, all-purpose electrode for most general repair work
• Excellent results on dirty, rusty metals, poor fit-ups and sheet metal welding
• Use for auto and truck frame repair, farm equipment, pipe, tanks and structural steel
• This electrode offers good penetration with a stable arc
• Developed specifically to meet the needs of the repair and maintenance welder

Operators consistently give this electrode high marks. This quality Lincoln product is a proven performer for sheet metal welding applications and AC pipe welding. Fleetweld 35 is a great electrode to use on jobs where the steel isn’t clean. 

Lincoln Electric Welders 3/32″ X 14″ 6011 Stick Electrode

My client hase asked me to prepaire two proposals for construction of an offshore platform. First one without cost of welding electrode and second one, including the cost of electrode.
I just only know the weight of main steel structure!