🔥AC Frequency vs. AC Balance (Aluminum TIG Welding)

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In part 2 of our Aluminum basics series with WeldTube, we are talking about AC frequency and AC balance and how it impacts the weld and Tungsten.
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[@Mike_B_724]

The level of information and knowledge you get from this crew is astonishing. Listening to Bob is akin to visiting the man on the mountain.

[@interpinto]

This is about the clearest explanation for inverter welder settings I’ve seen. Thanks!

[@leifnilsen6107]

Exactly 💯 excellent video

[@carpediemarts705]

And he didn't even get into pulse.

[@joandar1]

By the time I have finished learning the settings on Ally welding from watching your tutorials I will be able to lay a really good weld on demand instead of having to experiment with settings till I get a satisfactory result. Thank you Bob Moffat for being not only being a good welder but more importantly a GOOD TEACHER. Cheers from John, Australia.

[@4speed3pedals]

Best explanation of what is going on with cleaning and hertz. Thank you.

[@scootersays]

Thank you for the explanation and thank you both for being so humble. I follow both of you guys and this video series with you two together, has been great to show that no matter how good you are, or how long you've been in the game, there's always room to learn and I've been learning so much from both you. Thank you!

[@karlopadilla2718]

4yrs ago im watching this. now im using this tips and my company have miller dynasty 280. 🔥

[@davidoliver2826]

Wow! I have learned more in this video about aluminum welding. Bob, you really shine as a teacher when you have an actual student in front of you. The interaction helps me understand the information better. This old dog Is still learning this wonderful world of tig welding. Thanks Bob for sharing your skills!

[@hvymax]

I remember my 1" test 30yrs ago on 250A. The sound was amazing.

[@paultavres9830]

Remember A/C is actually welding in dc+/dc- it is switching back and forth between the 2 60 times a second HZ DC reverse or DC + puts 2/3 of the heat at the tungsten So slowing down the HZ causes the amount of time it takes to switch between the 2 When intensionally balling up a tungsten you put the welder on DC rev to put the heat st the tungsten where it causes the tungsten to burn back and ball up Been awhile since I thought about all of that Try welding with a automotive alternator High frequency whistles Lot of fun Check out link arc or resco welders ( alternator welders ) had one on my jeep for over 20 years loved it

[@big_ute]

I built a welder from a 200amp ford truck alternator and adapted it to the 3rz in my 83 custom cab bush truck, can confirm the whistles. The amps are regulated by the bicycle shifter thats hooked to my gas pedal, lol. So after MANY trial n error sessions I wrote down what rpm for each thickness of material I run into.

[@dennissastini3312]

Best explanation of the inverter machine I’ve ever heard

[@timrudall521]

I found the sweet spot of 125hz 50% cleaning for most general purpose work on 2mm ally, this changes for me when precise work is needed I turn up to 150hz cleaning still 50% I find this will focus the arc more stops the arc from wandering and damaging any say fins on a intercooler or something downside to this setting is you lose heat so no good for heavier material, I will drop to 80hz same cleaning setting of 50% this I use for thick cast arc a bit erratic but really blasts that thick oxide layer and forms a lovely clean wet pool each to their own I suppose, I guess every plant I've worked with over the years have all had different setups with their strengths and weaknesses.

[@thomaskovacs5094]

That's Great information thanks man

[@randybobandy9828]

I have read that higher frequency is better for thinner aluminum. Like 200-250hz for 1/16in(1.5mm) or thinner. Is that your experience?

[@timrudall521]

@@randybobandy9828 yes it can help higher frequency focuses and tightens the arc downside is you lose some heat but obviously heat is your enemy on thin ally

[@davidlawlor1583]

Ok... but WHY?. Dont get me wrong, this is a great video showing how the settings sound, how the haze thickness on the outside slightly varies, or how it affects the tip of the Tungsten.... but WHY would I want to use the different settings. What is the effect of the settings on the weld?, what am I trying to fix by adjusting the settings? What fault can I observe in my welds that can be resolved by tweaking a setting? what is the direction to adjust based on what I'm seeing? When is it good to run higher freq vs slower? what is the best balance under what conditions? ... I have so much to learn. (OK I feel like a 4 year old that keeps asking "why" for anything you say to them) You guys are great and fun to watch - THANKS!!

[@matter9]

Keep searching, a lot of the answers to your questions are covered in other videos on this channel, welding tips and tricks, and others. It’s the nature of the video format that not everything is covered in one video, perhaps in a book though. I’m not so fond of reading though, myself. Best of luck!

[@MBwelding]

Solid info I’m new to the tig side of welding self teaching so these videos are just awesome

[@yanicktanguay2746]

wow I got the same trouble with aluminum and in only 18min you helped me to understand what going on!

[@DonCatherman]

Great information..I'm just starting out ..tig aluminum welding .. Got a really nice machine.. settings for everything you mentioned here.. Today was my first day learning...I feel things went very well..will go better tomorrow thanks to imformation on what adjustments do what...I had no idea what anything did..untill now....thanks again......

[@leifnilsen6107]

Excellent video. Thank you. I just bought a PrimeWeld tig225x. On hear lea ING a little more then go out and practice.

[@jasonrtaborsky4240]

Thank's again Bob. Very helpful. I'm definitely having a problem between Bal and Freq. You set me a little straighter and a lot clearer on the difference. On a funny note, I feel like I was 15 again watching another episode of MR. WizzARD. Thanks for your help. Happy Welding !

[@fastylep.3240]

Fantastic info from the Moffatt, thank you Bob! I've owned a 210 EXT for about 5 years and I'm very happy with it. I've done mostly thin steel (some pulsed) and some stainless (0.030" by the way) and I will say this is one great machine. Haven't had a need or situation to merit diving into aluminum, but now that I've picked up a 253DPI I feal it's time to get friendly with "ale lu min eum"! 😄 I've gotta Powerplasma 60S (also 5 years) doing business next to the puddle brothers also, pretty happy so far and I expect nothing less than stellar from the 253DPI as I get to know it! Cheers!👍

[@oscarutrera9829]

Bob thank you for all this knowledge that you put out.

[@DonHavjuan]

The direction of an electric current is by convention the direction in which a positive charge would move. Thus, the current in an external circuit is directed away from the positive terminal and toward the negative terminal of the battery or power supply. Electrons are negative, so they move through the wires in the opposite direction - from negative to positive. So in DCEN, electrons flow from the torch to the work peice.

[@minigpracing3068]

I just ordered a cheap HYL AC/DC TIG so that I can get working with aluminum, so thanks for these episodes. Need to make a list of consumables and get them purchased for when the welder arrives.

[@miked9104]

Wow, these two work great together on camera and the information was awesome!! Great job guys! 😎

[@MrGreen876]

Love the video. Great explaining and demo. Now i can go back to work and show who was right about frequency. Appreciate your work 😊

[@Nicknacktheking]

I love these videos as a new welder these help tremediously thank u bob and weldtube!

[@rickfazzini22]

Man I sure do appreciate the education! One question, what causes the tungsten to split at the tip? I use a Power Pro 205 and have problems with splitting and popping of the tip

[@coldfinger459sub0]

I’m about to buy my first TIG set up. I’m binge watching TIG Aluminum I can just hear the tone in the pulse in the Sharp sound as the adjustments are made. You do not even need your eyes you can almost adjust with your ears and move your hand and probably lay a excellent bead

[@coreywhitaker9619]

Great knowledge! I’m trying to hook up an old Lincoln Hi-Freq box to a pretty large old tombstone welder for a friend who is wanting to TIG some aluminum. I’ve never used these before and I’m looking for research. I Don’t see a lot of the older stuff that might be hanging out in grandpas old garage other than the stick welders. What about the old TIG setups? I’m still getting more info on it and found the old book online for the box. I’ll be combing through that for some help, but pointers from some experienced guys would be very helpful!

[@paulstinemire5471]

Bob - When making those large adjustments, push the knob in and it will jump 10 x for each click. Much faster.

[@bobmoffatt4133]

Paul Stinemire Thanks

[@mandylad]

@@bobmoffatt4133 hi Bob how are you doing today?

[@samorange852]

Would love to see a "pip" of the current values as you weld to see the foot pedal control during starts and stops.....Love your videos and way of teaching. please keep it up!

[@BradDays]

You killed it in this vid and helped me with my aluminum welds just with describing the confusing settings

[@ruslanmustaev8170]

This is absolutely amazing explanation! Thanks to this video I just realised that I try to weld aluminium with grey-tipped tungsten 🤣

[@markgrevatt4867]

Just love your channel bob. Your one great teacher. And you explain things perfectly. No other channel like you. 👍👍👍👍

[@bobmoffatt4133]

Mark Grevatt Thanks Mark

[@steveyknoxville]

Check out The Fabrication Series channel. Another amazing channel for great info...

[@cpu64]

I'm so glad the old syncrowave at work has the extra pulse module...

[@fendtclaas8689]

Very informative video! Just what I was looking for to help me figure out why my welder could not weld aluminum.

[@jeffgood6441]

Why couldn't it I just bought a vevor three in one and yea I though it could do aluminum

[@fendtclaas8689]

@@jeffgood6441 lol, I am new to tig but now I could call myself an expert. But my previous welder only had DC tig not AC and I never new that I needed AC lol. So I did lots of research and bought everlast. Actually the same welder in the video. With water cooling and now I weld aluminium all day long with beautiful welds.

[@thomasnord4954]

Absolutely great video. Thank you for making this information available

[@Onde6-c8g]

TIG process (141) AC and use pure tungsten or zicroniated with hemispherical ball end, sop out technic minimise tungsten inclusion and slop down minimise crater pipe. Choice NDT test use penetran test (PT)😊

[@raymondjackson6069]

Another great session, WELL worth watching. Thanks!

[@BigJfan]

My syncrowave has all of these settings. Its a "P" model. Poorly located in the bottom of the machine is the frequency knob. I didn't realize that Miller offered such a loaded up machine back then. 18:12

[@peelthebananna9827]

@@BigJfan what serial number if you don’t mind me asking?

[@alexcorvi2254]

Interesting to see the arc wander at the end of the weld. Somthing with the tungsten or the machine ?

[@baykent8464]

Watching from Philippines thank you for this idea boss

[@ThePIPdesign]

After a couple revelations i had to subscribe,very informative clear and concise.

[@tanorkewl8360]

explains alot I run a synchro wave at work all day and I never sharpen my tungsten because no matter what it balls up however I can run a nice bead so it is what is

[@fredsmith6160]

This makes a lot of sense. I haven't tried welding aluminum with my everlast welder yet.

[@toolbox-gua]

This is like the the tv series Kung Fu, with David Caradine. A lot of knowledge being transferred! So good!

[@dieterbuchner1214]

I guess i made a little mistake. The AC Balance on my TIG is set at 50%. Thank you for the video. Regards from Germany.

[@ronaldgenendlis6423]

Great information on this video I own a everlast 325 ext. great machine still playing around with these settings. Thanks.

[@canuckloyalist4681]

This helped greatly, thanks guys!

[@j.swipes]

Give me more!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can drink this content!

[@gabewhisen3446]

Bob the master, way to go Omar absorb all the knowledge one day you gonna be the master

[@bobmoffatt4133]

Skydj Whisen Hjalmar

[@erwindoornbos5704]

I think

[@andrewmarkley1702]

Awesome video, explained it perfectly. Appreciate you guys! Keep creating the content 💯

[@willywontonwilson3841]

I think you just fixed my problem with my tungsten. Can you change balance to the same effects with green tungsten?

[@tysonnicol8841]

Great all of your channels videos guys!!! I've learnt soo much. Welding is a fantastic skill. I can watch u guys tig all day!!

[@TimEvans-b1e]

Bob is awesome. Wish I could meet him.

[@roberternest2402]

Thanks for the explanation. I must try for myself with my everlast welder as I learn better by doing and seeing for myself!

[@ifell3]

Great video, cleaning on 50% typo said 30%.

[@mohammedtroy4296]

bob you and your trainee great video i always rather a pointed tip the balled end is for building up surfaces

[@NOOne-im5vg]

Actually you are incorrect. We run about 65hz and around 350 amps for some jobs. There is absolutely no way you cannot have a balled up tungsten.

[@danl.4743]

Bob is a BOSS!

[@21gioni]

Is there any documentation that you can share that explains all the features.

[@jeremyobanion8994]

Good show.I learned and enjoyed watching.

[@Altruistic-Viking]

All hail Bob 🤘😎

[@allistarcenter3]

Thank you, very useful way to understand the settings!

[@bzurison6913]

We have a Miller Dynasty 200 at work. I set the balance on 20 with a blunt pointed electrode. INSTANT ball! What the heck? A little research revealed that the % balance on this machine is EN, not EP - just flip everything upside down and it works great.

[@jkingsrd1]

Awesome video on explaining the settings on tig welding ..best video

[@TomiBorchert]

sulfuric acid is the best cleaner for copper and aluminium. If you add drops of distilled water (tap water is not clean) you can pre heat the material at the same time.

[@Oldin909]

Very good information Thank you a lot

[@controlledchaos8851]

NJ WeldShop 2003 R.I.P. Richard Dickson

[@videostellall]

Wow! Just what I was looking for

[@michaelcostello6991]

Were you using a gas lens ?? Do you recommend always using a gas Lens ?? Can anyone advise. Thanks Mike

[@dewayne2189]

What color tungsten is that we use green at work for aluminum and red for stainless and other

[@davidwaggoner8521]

Will there be a part 3 where you do get into the pulse capabilities of the Everlast? Asking for a friend... Hahaha!

[@madd1120]

Why is there no puddle when your testing out the different settings? I’m new to welding 😁

[@manuelgutierrez9892]

Another nice informational video my brother.

[@rodanone4895]

Bob M. legend. thank you.

[@mahomedshaffiquesidik4666]

Thank you so much. This helped me so much.... greatly appreciated.

[@staccio80]

thanks!!! very good explanation!!!

[@ikusny]

Great stuff !! Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@rossboyd2272]

I have an old miller Thunder Bolt 225 ac welder and I want to weld aluminum. Is it possible. I understand scratch start . If so what gas do I need and I’ve welded aluminum once in a shipyard and stainless. Mostly your basic 6010 , 6011 , 7018 . I’m retired and I might weld a couple times a year . Also if you have or know of any videos that might help . Is it possible to make this machine ac dc with bridge rectifier .

[@michaelcostello6991]

Did the plate get very hot by the time you ran the 3rd weld

[@Laura-wc5xt]

great explanation guys...

[@erikmc6385]

Great post thanks

[@Turningwrenchs]

Revers the pole and ball it on a pc of Brass only have my 250dx

[@Thewaldo12345]

Ive got a syncrowave 351. Balanced is 30%. I usually run 70% just so the arc is more stable.

[@singlespeedman]

Great video.

[@xbenxwilsonxhighlights7879]

Hey bob what gloves are you wearing here there super cool? Awesome videos iv watched alot of your stuff

[@joepalomar105]

I’m welding the dynasty 800

[@Lurkzz]

Weird seeing a person named Hjalmar outside Scandinavia, especially with that spanish pronounciation! Every day I see something new, good video anyway!

[@Room_for_1_more_fruit_tree]

That wolfram tri mix tungsten seems to last a bit better than the zirconiated when adding cleaning %. I've been using a dynasty 400 at work but just ordered an everlast 325ext for the my own shop. Great videos, where is that facility located?

[@Vance_Nickerson]

Love technology but my old Syncrowave 500 with the basics is hard to beat for us simple guys and you just can't kill an old transformer machine. For those of us with the old machines how about a video leaning towards us. Been using 2% lanthanated tungsten on a.c. and d.c. I Build and repair boilers for hobby use mostly and spoke with a man this morning pushing the Fronius brand. I While it would definitely use less energy than a transformer type, cost and durability are my concerns about anything other than a Miller or Lincoln. Keep the videos coming and if I'm the only person left on the planet with a dinosaur welding rig and you want to use it for a video I'll be glad to haul it up for a visit and learning course.

[@WTFChuk]

I still run a SW as well. I figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I absolutely refuse to buy a cheap import machine, and I have gotten by my whole welding life without the bells and whistles of an inverter. Heck, I started out on a DialArc HF which was a pure sine wave machine, had no adjustable cleaning action, no pulse modes, nothing. What it DID have was continuous HF to keep the arc lit, which actually seemed to keep a more stable arc vs square waves with HF start only. It also seemed to have a ridiculously conservative duty cycle, something which my SW also shares. I never felt like I needed more or less cleaning action, and if I needed a tighter bead or to "get in there" I used this thing called "skill". I seem to remember an awful lot of guys turning out absolutely amazing aluminum welds with old-school sine-wave transformer machines. Now we're told you can only make a good weld with an inverter. Good thing nobody told that to all they guys who welded on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft, or the SR-71, the Space Shuttle, etc.

[@TonaldDrump686]

WTFChuk : That’s what they told me at the welding shop. All aluminum used to get welded with transformer and high freak box. I think they’re trying to sell welders. Lol. What foot pedal?

[@jimandskittum]

I may have missed it. Did he say the diameter and the type of tungsten?

[@HamidKhan_206]

The valuable teaching.. thank you sir..

[@movchan.b]

Thank you!

[@Foryourinfo369]

Thank you!!

[@customboatscreensolutions5893]

Very good 👍

[@jangriesel5056]

@9:33 isnt that still on 50% cleaning ?, oh and also @16:39 looks like that 250HZ destroyed the tungsten ... man I would love one of those everlasts.

[@bryanhauschild4376]

Wow, i want to upgrade from my syncrowave 250!

[@Scottsudz84]

Ballsacking sucks I feel you. I miss having an inverter.

[@3ch0_17]

For mostly all aluminum I run 80-100 hz and 30/70 cleaning/dig

[@FoxSaysWhat]

What about the Miller Syncrowaves cont. high freq setting? Wouldn't that keep you up above 60Hz?

[@charliecalvert4831]

I have a dc tig welder, I was welding cast alloy and it was a mess, can I change the torch polarity over to ac

[@jhonharoldarizageradino3835]

Cuando van a subtitular...?😢😭 Saludos.!

[@jklololol9691]

On my Miller tig I use the balance to ball my tungsten if you put it on the lowest setting it literally says ball I’ve never noticed the hz change the shape of my tungsten