NEW! How to TIG Weld Aluminum

[@5thStreetFab]

Hey guys let me know what you need help with on your aluminum TIG!

[@marcellemay7721]

@GUNNER GUNNAR I'm right there with you brother. I'm 53 and I wear glasses. Here's some things that have helped me a lot. First is a good welding helmet, or good fixed shade lenses. those cheap harbor freight ones suck. I recently bought the harbor freight Vulcan auto dim and it's a great helmet for under $150. Second thing is to eliminate glare from behind me, I either shut off the overhead lights or put a skirt on the back of my helmet to eliminate light coming in from the back of my helmet. Lighting my weld area from the front of my viewing area helps too. Thirdly is to make sure my lenses are squeaky clean ...dust and grime will cause tons of glare. That's all I got. It works for us old guys. Oh, one more thing, if the clear lense in your helmet is scratched either polish it to get rid of the scratches or replace it.

[@huntervalleygroupptyltd3665]

Hi mate, Question from Australia 🇦🇺 . I have a unimig 200 ac/dc tig. What setting do you recommend for ac tig in balance and htz Cheers Ben

[@5thStreetFab]

@@huntervalleygroupptyltd3665 I like mine anywhere from 60-120 60 for outside corners or wider welds and 120 for fillets

[@jihadghanim4276]

Hello sir, I am a mster student, I have 2024 aluminum alloy plates (3.2mm thickness) I want welding them by tig welding(4043,4047and 5356) filler metal).What is the current best AC to use it in the welding?

[@jihadghanim4276]

@Dennis Young Thank you so much .

[@aaronhadley8121]

Bro I've been watching tig welding videos for what seems like forever on the road to figuring this stuff out and I have to say your one of the slickest aluminum welders I've seen on KZbin !

[@bradhanthorn7789]

Finally, I've been searching for a channel that can *visually* teach me. So many video's out there but sometimes us new guys don't need numbers and statistics we can find in our textbooks, we simply need to see it done! Great video! New subscriber and future welder.

[@shawnooweldsparks4202]

1981 Grade 11 my welding teacher came to an after school extra credit automotive class I was taking and inquired if I might like to learn how to tig weld aluminum . I agreed and we set off next door where I met his buddy and was introduced to tig welding aluminum ..... 2hrs earlier I had dropped a hit of sunshine blotter acid and man was I peaking at this point. The lesson went well and I was complimented on being a quick study and to this day almost 40yrs later I'I'll always remember that short window of having a working puddle ... before ...... disaster .

[@chucksprinkle1328]

shawnoo weldsparks sunshine blootter them we’re the days 👍🥺

[@chung-weitylorwang5341]

I like and appreciate your styles of videos, where you will actually explain things, instead of just doing and showing results. Thank you very much!

[@alangarner4095]

Hi I have been a welder for about 26 years I have never done aluminium the weld you have just done looks fantastic. I think it’s time that I had a go ! 👍🏻😎👍🏻🇪🇸

[@shunkajun]

I so enjoy a person who expresses not only what we want to know, but, we get to learn all the details many other Channels leave out. It's all those little things that are sooo important, thanks for this vid, thumbs up and subbed. And the beads you were laying were beautiful, really well done.

[@TangoPorGringo]

Thank you.......best aluminum welding instruction on youtube!!!

[@tylerbulkley4881]

Hey man, just wanted to give an extra thanks for showing and explaining what to do with the torch cable when welding. You're one of the only guys that shows that particular detail. And in my opinion, that right there is one of those key aspects of welding that not everyone talks about. Bracing yourself for a weld and doing a few dry runs so you can anticipate any speed bumps down the road. Thanks again love your videos!

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks dude. I try to add that stuff in but when it's second nature it's hard to remember not everyone just knows it haha kinda like driving

[@tylerbulkley4881]

How did you get your first welding job? I'm at my first one now but I'm looking for a better one. I think I just lack the confidence in myself and in my abilities.

[@5thStreetFab]

I learned how to TIG from my dad's welder's at his work when I was like 14 and when I was 16 I was working for competition werkes deburring parts and they decided to get into the piecut GP exhaust stuff and I was like I know how to TIG so they threw me into the welding department and I stayed there for 8 or 9 years. Haha kinda just right place right time

[@tylerbulkley4881]

Yeah. Well hey thank you for the replies I appreciate you taking the time to pull up your hood and do that. 😎

[@brianwilliams4254]

Thanks to watching this video a few times. I finally figured out how you got those fat dabs. I am new to Tig welding, and Tig welding aluminum altogether. So this video and the close-ups helped a lot. Ive only been doing this for roughly 3 weeks. So Thanks, a lot I really appreciate it.

[@Skeetmgeett]

I thing htp should send you a fancy new tig welder. After seeing what you did with their mig, I'd say it was some of the best advertising they could hope for. I know how to weld aluminum and I watched this whole video because.. let's be honest... you're damn good at welding aluminum. Hook him up, don't stop the videos.

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks dude! Haha those TIGs would be awesome those machines look crazy good.

[@ricardomontes373]

Nice clean work young man. I am an auto mechanic and trying to do something new. Keep up the good work.

[@ducati51780]

Dude, you are very cool !!! I'm watching you from Russia. Thanks to you, my experience is increasing!

[@rosiegutierrez4885]

I like how you describe the cleaning on how good it should be in order to have a good piece of welding, very good job

[@wickywanni3356]

When aluminum welding to be electrode positive with AC balance No AC balance when aluminum welding to be electrode negative Is it ok

[@jennytan5229]

Oh man you are a welding artist. I was a welder of 15 years but my hand shaked and changed job.

[@5thStreetFab]

That sucks man! Im not the steadiest but i hope i can stay steady enough!

[@vaughanmaybury2825]

Thanks for your excellent video. The information was detailed, clearly explained and demonstrated.

[@ManicPandaMedia]

Thanks..just ordered the primeweld to jump into aluminum (Different beast I know) and trying to get an edumacation before I receive it. Thanks for the time, education and for sharing your experience. My biggest concern is that my hands shake from a head injury I got from a motorcycle wreck (woman made a left, put me in a coma and when I came out I was left blind for a bit and St memory loss, then permanent optical nerve damage and right side spasms..) and your tips and tricks for keeping a steady hand is much appreciated. I lost alot of the feeling of hot and cold from the nerve damage so the distance to keep my hand away from the tip is an added bonus education. So thank YOU and I look forward to learning more, making mistakes and stepping into a new world of welding.

[@5thStreetFab]

Thats awesome! Good luck and let me know if you need help!

[@ManicPandaMedia]

Just received it..still need gas and rods to practice on.. I have so many irons in the fire it's rediculousness. But thanks for the response and If I need a coach, I can count on your education. Thanks again.

[@5thStreetFab]

@@ManicPandaMedia glad to hear it bud

[@thongvo3904]

Hi you are very good at welding aluminum, hope to see more video from you.Thank you.

[@djdeanpanozzo7774]

I was reading a few of the comments and i agree, You have made one of the Best informative videos ive seen.. New to tig welding and your video has put me on track with all of it.. thank you mate.. well done

[@johnwagner8906]

If you are not your own boss I bet your boss loves you. I get my new tig welder Tuesday Apr. 5 and I am stoked, just so happens my first job is 1/8" aluminum I've had a Mig welder but never a Tig. I will be doing a little bit of vertical and overhead with the 1/8" So if you could throw some pointers my way I'd sure appreciate it.

[@stefanczechorskidds5536]

Thank you! Very informative. BTW: I tried your settings on my Everlast PowerTIG 185: 235 Freq. (it will go to 250) and 40% Bal. ("wild"); I used 1/8 coupons 2x3inch, so they became heat soaked quickly , but wow, I can now wait and react to the puddle and I advance the torch a greater distance before adding filler (3/32) . On my machine, as I dialed up the Frequency, I had to dial back the amperage. But, the result was now a bead that had more of a crown and that stacked look (not as even as yours) but very similar. ! Thanks again !!!

[@5thStreetFab]

glad to hear it bud!

[@can5projects563]

awesome beads mate. well done

[@motoxjim929]

Max this is the best video and explanation of welding aluminum that I have ever seen. Great job!!!

[@5thStreetFab]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it

[@blackcatgraphix]

Scooch. Dip. I think you just taught me to weld. Great video.

[@panheadxp]

Man thank you , that was the best Tig Aluminum welding video I've ever seen. Don't know how you pulled that shot off , being focused and so close. Excellent , Thanks again

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks bud! I've been really trying to step up my game

[@marcellemay7721]

I like your tig welding videos. You really take the time to explain the nuances of tig welding.

[@5thStreetFab]

Right on! I'm glad you like them bud!

[@EDesigns_FL]

It's a testament to your skill that you make it look so easy to welding aluminum. Thank you for the tips and explanations. Great camera work:)

[@5thStreetFab]

Thank you and no problem I hope it helps!

[@ricardomontes373]

Your work is meticulous and your beads are impressive.

[@oliverkauper6015]

I should learn how to tig. My everlast mig welder came with a tig torch. Tig welding looks like such a refined process.

[@5thStreetFab]

It's nice because you have all the control in the world.😉

[@kevinkinney8921]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I have an AHP2000x and am bewildered by the settings. Showing a shot of the panel helps so much. However, I'm still struggling to make a single bead. I have not found the magical settings. Do you have a video that shows us noobs how to set up the machine?

[@raydreamer7566]

Great TIG weld tutorial . I Tig weld and I can follow everything you are saying and doing .

[@ralphogerlyII]

Awesome job.I really like video.O have welded most of my life stick, torch with heating tip and mig,but never tig.I bought a small tig machine and want to practice.Didnt know whete to begin.I tried once at south plains college while taking some courses,but the foot pedal was hard to get used to.great job.thank you

[@hopelessnerd6677]

Awesome welding. "Crappy foot pedal" indeed. Almost useless. I think it was adapted from a commercial sewing machine. That's a great little welder for the money. I have one. They are now shipping with a real foot pedal, after I bought mine of course. Keep up the videos!

[@paulthompson7280]

Nice job Dood I started with gas welding then stick Mig now thinking about aTIG ? Back to whear I started hahaha like using Electric Arc in stead of gas welding old school

[@nickreedg22]

Thanks Dude I appreciate you. The way you explain things is nice and your work and attitude are very good thanks again

[@TamLe-vv9ic]

Hello! I'm Vietnamese and I'm learning aluminum welding. You weld very beautifully, can you tell me what this video is about? Because I don't know English, I don't understand what you say. Thank you very much!!! ❤ 

[@georgecarstens6430]

Can you comment on what you are doing with the foot pedal? Are you 100% when starting and then backing off with your 200amp machine?

[@tigerseye73]

Thanks for sharing so much of your knowledge and experience on this topic. I have stick and mig welded for years, but have only recently tried to obtain some skill level with tig welding. You make it look so easy but I know you must have spent many many hours developing the beautiful rhythm you now have. I,m putting your video in favorites so I can refer back to it whenever needed. Learned a lot today.

[@davidfusco6600]

What beautiful welds! Thank you, I learned a lot just watching you!

[@mpotgieter]

I have watched dozens of videos on Tig welding aluminium and yours are the best, practical, no BS... It's helped me get it right. Thank you!

[@kevinmorin7965]

5th Street, I prefer a Vixen file to remove sheared 'torn' edge faces or to clean cut the peened edge burrs. By pinching the wires of a hand brush you can create a longer lasting removal tool for mill scale - using the brush like a Vixen as pull only. Lots of welders don't put the energy into storing dip rod well- so they end up using 3M Scotchbrite (tm) to clean their rod before cleaning with acetone/alcohol. nice beads.

[@ronmiller682]

Great video. After watching I realized I was rushing as if I'm might welding. Now to try and slow myself down.

[@5thStreetFab]

Ya it helps especially getting your penetration started

[@RajeshRajesh-pk9pc]

Hi please tell me, how is the aluminum stick welding in D C welding machine?

[@360demonrt4]

Killing it man. I'm getting decent on heavier wall piping but have terrible luck with thinner wall tube (intercooler piping, thinner/cheaper stuff).

[@ryandagson2902]

What gas we use on Tig welding?is there any other gas we on Tig welding?I didn't yet try my machine I don't know what gas to use on it.

[@chuckymonster1000]

Your a good welder. I do a lot of tig welding for the aerospace industry for a living and i would hire you any day of the week.take care

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks dude I really appreciate it!

[@williamhayes136]

For what to containing the welds

[@williamhayes136]

Dude you need some more work

[@williamhayes136]

Looks good but but you can't see the weld on the back then it's not welded

[@michaelhartsgrove3059]

William Hayes lack of penetration...

[@luvkountry]

Some machines have a polarity switch which saves you from switching out the positive and negative leads on the machine.

[@HueNarcisWorld]

Good simple explanations ! Thanks

[@cory41287]

thats some spot on aluminum tig tips.

[@johnthebraider]

Really good work. I appreciate the information and techniques you show. I’m not sure why you ball up your tip, it’s counter to everything I’ve ever heard about sharpening your tungsten. I assume since you perform so well there is a reason but I’m not sure you explained why you like the arc it makes. Thanks again. Learned something new today.

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks bud! I ball my tip at work because we only have transformer machines and it keeps it consistent from start to finish vs letting it ball and having to adjust to how it balls on it's own. With my new HTP I like a sharp Tungsten for most things. Balling it for outside corners does help round over the corners better than a sharpened tip though

[@mrmark8603]

The best instructional video I have seen. Beautiful welds. Please keep making the videos.

[@jmac430]

Really great tutorial, mate! I picked up on a ton of small yet significant pointers, some of which you don't even mention but you clearly show inb the video or the background, also validated some things I currently do but have been unsure about... really unexpectedly superb tutorial 👌, keep it up and thanks for sharing! Cheers! - Jesse

[@____Mr.Happy____]

Beautiful welding Man!

[@chrisiscrysis]

could you tell me the grade of the base metal and filler rod used?

[@goodweld7562]

Man I needed this video 2 days ago. I was hired on as a pipe welder at a pipe shop 5 months ago and they are starting a new thing with some aluminum projects and chose me and I have minimum experience with aluminum. I had to go off the Miller settings app to get my settings dialed in. Long story short I found out I was a better aluminum welder than I thought. Only problem I have is having a tighter “Frost” area. Thanks for the video!

[@themotofixery]

You could try adjusting ac balance. That might reduce the frost look

[@5thStreetFab]

Right on bud! Sorry it wasn't sooner. The frost area is either from to much cleaning action or from to much gas flow/ coverage . You can turn down the cfh or switch to a smaller cup.

[@daekim2263]

The weld looks nice.

[@ngbakorcollins306]

I really love everything about this work, thanks for teaching us

[@dtwilliams1779]

I have bookmarked this video. I want to start tig welding aluminum with my everlast tig welder.

[@jmtwilson]

if i hadn’t seen you doing those welds, i’d swear it was a robotic set up. Those results are about as good as it gets. Thanks for taking the time to show the careful prep work required for such high quality work. Those velocity channel car shows they just grab the torch and start welding-i don’t think I’ve ever seen them even brush the metal. Great reality check. I clean my aluminum as you suggest but my welds still look like crap-but that’s another story. Just for grins, how many hours of TIG time would you estimate that you have accumulated between ‘work’ and ‘home work’?

[@waterwallyt3365]

First time viewer and tig newbie: thank you for the great video and tips!

[@5thStreetFab]

No problem bud thanks for watching!

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

What type and size electrode are you using? 1/16th 2% lanthanated?

[@topnotchracing81]

Very detailed video with great instruction on how your doing your welds. So far you take the cake for me on helping out with welding. Thanks bud.

[@len4338]

Nice work, thanks for explaining in detail. I'm trying to learn on my own. I have no experience and no equipment yet, just watching videos and reading books. I have to say though, your welds look extremely uniform.

[@blueridermg]

Hello, great video with clear speech to really hear what you're saying. I don't know how to tig but watching videos like this help big time. I got me a Japanese 185 ac/dc Thermo ArchMaster. I haven't used it yet and I've owned it close to a year now haha...better safe than sorry and lessons like this help greatly thanks. Keep up the videos ;)

[@bobcatt2294]

Dude that bead is truly beautiful. Thumbs up for beauty.

[@Lu3Zak]

thank you for your well explained steps and greetings from Croatia --- wish to ask you if it is possible to mix my own mixture directly from two individual bottles - Argon and CO2 each 100 % pure, each with own pressure regulator connected by a T peace... will it cause some problem? any idea to get reliable mixture to flow out with that method?

[@antonioferrer9431]

I bought the 3 3/2 lanthinated tungsten/blue , what filler rod should I use ?

[@juanar6233]

You are like a machine, very precise.

[@5thStreetFab]

Thanks bud👊

[@joeranginui257]

Awsome welder bro! from new zealand!

[@billhopen]

thanks..many great tips...hey!...be careful with that plastic bottle of alcohol round the weld table, one little swipe with a red hot tig tip coming off the weld and you could have a real situation

[@samhewitt6461]

hi i have a ROHR HP-200PP TIG WELDER..can you tell me the settings i need to weld stainless steel...i havent welded before im just trying

[@legallimitoutdoors9917]

Can I use a drill with a wheel Wire brush?

[@eddesroches6833]

Carefully done. Very clear, well thought out welding. Good results.

[@OlTrailDog]

Just curious if you are left handed, right handed, or ambidextrous? Could you please make the "touching the material" noise again? My problem seems to be in finding the proper scooch. Super job.

[@BigLouWelds]

Your welds are so pretttttyyyyy! On aluminum in school now and it’s definitely not as easy as you make it seem lol

[@jerrysurratt7131]

Im' just learning'' so when you are cleaning' if you have a part that's got a lot of holes that you want to fill -and you cant clean down In them'' would it be a good or bad idea to bead blast the part ,to clean down in the holes ? thanks ''

[@banny123456]

excellent explanation of your technique. Thank you.

[@dandexinventor]

Nice attention to detail. I've been a woodworker mostly, but learning how to TIG. Makes a huge difference when time is less important than quality. Thanks for the instruct!

[@burtlade1705]

I'm just learning so appreciate your presentation. Thanks!

[@saykimbuk5863]

I like your video, very interesting n learn many new thinks.

[@simclardy1]

I was working on the full penetration and the first 1" or so penetrated but it had like, but cheeks. I noticed in yours it seemed to have that line as well. Is this a problem or are there tricks for crucial jobs? Thanks

[@mikeshepard3602]

I bought a brand new Eastwood 200 digital Tig about a year ago and it is still in the box. I bought gabs lens kit and a bottle of argon. I have just been waiting to get a 50amp breaker installed. Anyway, even though I haven’t got my stuff hooked up and going I have learned tons by watching your videos. You have amazing welds. My first project is going to be building that slay table you have. Any pointers you may have? Obviously the table is not an aluminum project but I figured a table or cart would be good to start on.

[@5thStreetFab]

Nice job bud! Ya another guy on KZbin made a very similar table and he put his entire build up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKWYp6qlh9trjbc.

[@Hunteratloppshop]

What shear do you have at the house?

[@shaun2049]

Good video dude just learning to tig not done any ally yet l know it’s hard

[@particlesofenergy]

When you say kncok them down, are you slightly rounding them?

[@hashemmatter5389]

Hi just wanted to thank you for taking your time to make this great video !! It would amazing if you could do more beginners stuff on aluminium welding it’s been very interesting

[@5thStreetFab]

No problem bud thanks for watching. I just put up a beginner Aluminum video a few hours back if you didn't see it it might help

[@danssv8]

That's interesting you were pulling

[@GG-rj4oj]

Would it be possible to do a video on different wire feeding techniques. Thanks

[@5thStreetFab]

Sure!

[@GG-rj4oj]

@@5thStreetFab excellent look forward to it .

[@antonioferrer9431]

Hey Bud I need your help , I have a YESWELDER just bought it new , I have a 1/4 aluminum chassis that I need to weld , what settings do I put it on , I see all your videos 👍🏻👊

[@5thStreetFab]

What type of weld joints are you going to be doing?

[@antonioferrer9431]

@@5thStreetFab sorry I didn’t see your reply , I have to fill in the whole chassis cause the chassis was bolts together but I need it stronger, it probly fill it weld , it’s to weld the ends of where everything was put together,1/4 aluminum composite chassis

[@antonioferrer9431]

@@5thStreetFab hey what’s up , I see all your videos, you are one heck of a welder , you are blessed, your talent is unbelievable

[@antonioferrer9431]

@@5thStreetFab hey Bud, mostly of the welds are all sandwiched in 1/4 aluminum plates, how can I get this done ?

[@antonioferrer9431]

@@5thStreetFab can you do I video on how you press the foot pedal while Tig welding 1/4 aluminum plz

[@rongrey7449]

Can you teach a little more on how and when to use the pedal more or less? Thanks great video

[@5thStreetFab]

Sure! I have an extra camera and thats a great idea thank you!

[@davidplunk8659]

Thanks buddy ove how you explain everything

[@brendanmence4122]

great job young man well explained and demo nice results .just what i was looking for thank you

[@timothym2241]

Great demo and lesson. What thickness of aluminum and filler rod?

[@5thStreetFab]

I think it was 1/8" 5052 and 3/32" 5356 filler

[@elwinduncan909]

nice videos one question. can you tig weld aluminum on a steel table?

[@5thStreetFab]

Definetly thats all i ever use

[@alainlesage541]

nice to learn from you skill.... thanks you...

[@hatchet81]

Beautiful welds, haven't got into aluminum yet but hopefully soon I'll get an ac/dc machine. Until then I'll be learning. Thank you.

[@5thStreetFab]

Thank you dude I hope it'll help out!

[@hatchet81]

Just checked out the AlphaTIG 200x, not a bad price and it has plenty of good reviews. It's on the tool list now.

[@jomardanduan135]

Hi sir, can i have a favor.. Can you give me the names of all types or kind of filling rod I really don’t know what to it but i am really eager and determined to learn tig welding Thank you so much i hope you read my comment

[@paulsimpson2232]

Thanks for your time .but I'm struggling .tried different settings but no joy. I have two thicknesses of ali polls. But to get a puddle on either type is hard. ..the Ali appears to have some kind of coating. I've cleaned it but appears to do the same ...I've extended the cleaning process but all that happens is the Ali just sinks...if you have seen the rails on a easy up it's the same type of ali... I have welded two flat.plates of a different type and it welds beautifully.. I Know with out seeing the the type of material in question it's hard to advise ..but may be you may have an idea where to start..regards Paul.

[@outkast187]

Its probably clear anodized....it will never work unless chemically stripped or fully sanded through. Anodized aluminum doesnt conduct electricity

[@bobcatt2294]

Do you have a website? Please connect with me I have some ideas. Extremely impressed with your skills and your level of quality you present.

[@tdg911]

man you make that look soooooo easy lol. Well done thanks for sharing. I use an app called iTig to help me with my settings as I'm a hobbyist/weekend warrior.