Input for a multi process welder.

[Mudmuckandgrease]

You can Tig weld aluminum with a DC only welder. You'll need a bottle of helium. It does run hot. About half the amps as with AC. This weld was done on DCEN, with 100% helium.

Good to know .... something to try .... thanks!

 

[IslandTractor]

You can Tig weld aluminum with a DC only welder. You'll need a bottle of helium. It does run hot. About half the amps as with AC. This weld was done on DCEN, with 100% helium.

Warning for newbies: don't try this unless you have 30 years welding experience.

 

[Shield Arc]

Warning for newbies: don't try this unless you have 30 years welding experience.

I did it, and I've only been welding a few weeks now.
Even did it with an Everlast stick welder, and a Tig rig.

 

[Mudmuckandgrease]

You can Tig weld aluminum with a DC only welder. You'll need a bottle of helium. It does run hot. About half the amps as with AC. This weld was done on DCEN, with 100% helium.

Good to know .... something to try .... thanks! I found a YOUTUBE concerning this subject: How to Weld Aluminum on DC + with Argon - YouTube

 

[Shield Arc]

I never had much luck Tig welding aluminum on DCEP. :shocked:

 

[Birdhunter1]

Shield Arc if there was a plan to weld two feathers together from a Turkey to an Eagle you'd find a way!

 

[Shield Arc]

Shield Arc if there was a plan to weld two feathers together from a Turkey to an Eagle you'd find a way!

You give me waaaaaaaay too much credit! I'm just a beginner.

 

[IslandTractor]

You give me waaaaaaaay too much credit! I'm just a beginner.

He's just a beginner liar....and just in case newbies are following this thread, ShieldArc is a master welder with decades of experience. Don't try things that he fools around with unless you are really sure you know what you're doing. He knows when his experiments fail, you (newbie) might not recognize the difference between a fully penetrated good weld and glue gun weld.

(No disrespect ShieldArc, just wanted to make sure noobs don't go running out to the welding shop in search of Argon so they can do welding repairs on their mother's car...)

 

[OkieDave]

He's just a beginner liar....and just in case newbies are following this thread, ShieldArc is a master welder with decades of experience. Don't try things that he fools around with unless you are really sure you know what you're doing. He knows when his experiments fail, you (newbie) might not recognize the difference between a fully penetrated good weld and glue gun weld.

(No disrespect ShieldArc, just wanted to make sure noobs don't go running out to the welding shop in search of Argon so they can do welding repairs on their mother's car...)

Nope. Save that for your mother-in-law's car.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I never had much luck Tig welding aluminum on DCEP. :shocked:

DC+ is for thin aluminum only.
The tungsten can't handle the heat and not much is going into the part on DC+
I've experimented with it. It works, but isn't as much fun as AC.

 

[Birdhunter1]

You give me waaaaaaaay too much credit! I'm just a beginner.

Yeah, yeah....

I know you on another forum where you claim your just a hobbyist.

 

[Shield Arc]

Yeah, yeah....

I know you on another forum where you claim your just a hobbyist.

Well I' am! I haven't earned a pay check in years.

 

[mikefromnh]

Well I'm a newbie welder that just ordered some aluminum stick rods to fix this wheelchair ramp.

Almost every weld underneath is cracked and it's getting kind of spongey to walk on. For $15 it's worth a try to fix.


If it works I think I'll run a 110v extension cord out to the barn and build myself that aluminum utility trailer I always wanted

 

[dickfoster]

Well I'm a newbie welder that just ordered some aluminum stick rods to fix this wheelchair ramp.

Almost every weld underneath is cracked and it's getting kind of spongey to walk on. For $15 it's worth a try to fix.
View attachment 461105View attachment 461106View attachment 461107

If it works I think I'll run a 110v extension cord out to the barn and build myself that aluminum utility trailer I always wanted

Hummmm welder with an extension cord? Sounds kinda dicey to me unless it's a very heavy duty/heavy gauge extension cord and it's not that far out to the barn.

 

[Shield Arc]

In my opinion I would take the ramps to someone who has a Tig welder, or at least a spool gun.
If not, hopefully you are a lot better welder than I' am!

 

[mikefromnh]

A new ramp is $175. Not sure it's worth paying to have fixed. I was going to just get a new and use this one as a backup. But figured why not try... Doesn't need to be pretty, just needs to keep those cross pieces from falling out so there is as much flex when you step on it, JB weld would probably work.

 

[joefromga]

Harbor freight has ramps like that for 149.00

 

[mikefromnh]

I never noticed them there. I've bought these online. They have lots of selection. Some more money some less.

These particular ones have an extra piece at the bottom of the ramp for a nice smooth transition that some of the cargo ramps don't have.

EZ-Access 2-Piece Suitcase Single Fold Wheelchair Ramps | DiscountRamps.com

 

[joefromga]

I have a folding one with 1200 lbs rating.
It's nice and light. You usually have to go to wall where the posters are and ask the person to get one for you from the back. They carry a few.

 

[sd455dan]

Well I'm a newbie welder that just ordered some aluminum stick rods to fix this wheelchair ramp.

Almost every weld underneath is cracked and it's getting kind of spongey to walk on. For $15 it's worth a try to fix.
View attachment 461105View attachment 461106View attachment 461107

If it works I think I'll run a 110v extension cord out to the barn and build myself that aluminum utility trailer I always wanted

110 VAC and an extension cord to weld what appears to be decent gauge aluminum... may end up being a little short on power.

i am really new to Aluminum welding myself- and just welded a broken scoop shovel (.070) back together using tig and with the foot pedal was running as high as 170 amp ac to get the puddle flowing good.

guess it may take less amps to DC stick weld Aluminum, - hope it works and please post the results, i bought some of the Aluminum stick rod, but haven't really tried it yet, would be interested to see how well it works