the DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO TIG WELDING BALANCE -How to TIG weld aluminum

[@PacificArcTigWelding]

check out my FREE ONLINE TIG WELDING CLASS HERE👉 app.ewebinar.com/webinar/tig-welding-aluminum-with-no-prior-experience-no-schooling-and-with-whatever-gear-you-have-10740

[@kenlewis5968]

Not want to weld aluminum I wanting to weld Thin metal .28 too chromoly tubing I keep burning holes in the sheet metal even at 20 amps and at 15 amps using av# 8 or #10 cups when I practice and practice and practice and practice before I weld on the chassis. I am burning holes 1/4 wide in the thin metal I am Using a Lincoln 210 scratch start or a Vulcan 205 high frequency start I do the same thing with a 1/16 Tungsten and with a #8 or #10 cup set at 20 amps or 15 amps and I burn holes burn holes in it then I go a half in. With a fair weld . I don't want too the burn the chassis full of holes . I got the Lincoln welder and Welding brackets on my rotisserie and done a fair job for never doing it before now all I'm doing is burning holes

[@hopefuldave]

@@kenlewis5968 Do you mean .28, or 0.028"??? 0.028" you might be better doing muliple tacks and letting it cool, not running a bead, so it doesn't blow holes. tack each end, then the middle, then keep splitting the distance with another tack until they start overlapping, then hit with an abrasive flap disc in the angry grinder to dress the weld smooth. Pretty much as you'd do on body panels with MIG, really.

[@marcuscove]

Just watched the free lesson. I will be checking if the company I work for will reimburse me for the full lesson plan fees. If that is the case I will be signing up. Cheers !and thank you

[@johnmoriarty6158]

This is the best content for aluminum Tig welding on the planet.

[@stevephillips8719]

Sure is, from Australia; thank you.😃

[@Krishell]

Your videos have been helping me a lot the last days. Thanks for helping people

[@Oldin909]

Dusty I have been welding over 45 years black iron a pipeline off and on and this aluminum is a new world for an Older guy and I took a course on aluminum and it did not cover nothing like you do You go In-Depth on every detail and That's is a hell of a lot of help and is more information about what's going on and how to fix it and I Thank You for all the videos I truly do.

[@terryjones1370]

Your the best man. I’ve been tig welding aluminum for 30 years and watching your videos helps me so dang much. You have uped my game.

[@fairwind8222]

These videos are great for fixing brain cramps and bad habits! Something I forget the basic’s and get frustrated, these videos are so clear and to the point of problem and correction. Thanks for posting!👍🏻

[@paulkurilecz4209]

One way of looking at it is that only a certain amount of energy is needed for the EP portion of the cycle to clean/deoxidize the aluminum surface. So as the total energy goes up, a smaller proportion of the total energy is needed for the cleaning action. So as your amperage setting goes up, increase the EN portion (or decrease the EP portion). I have noticed this and it is not dramatic but at 150 A, I generally only need about 80% EN, but when I drop down to around 80 A, 70% EN seems to work best for me. Great video and explanation.

[@adambergendorff2702]

I know others have done how to ball the tungsten, but I wish you would do one. I have never been able to get them to look as clean and perfect as the one ones you show. I have also played around with balance a great deal but still haven't been able to get the tungsten to last as long as I think it should. Thanks Adam

[@fusser87]

Great explanation of balance. Been running a 1974 Miller 330a/bp for about 4-5 years now. Just picked up a miller syncrowave 250 with water cooler and all used for $1000 out the door. I cant wait to get it hooked up and running.

[@awittypilot8961]

Probably the best tig video I have ever seen....I'm an aircraft mechanic and did not know about this. I can't wait to fire up the machine! Thanks!

[@jorgemercatali9319]

Agree 100% it is super important to keep the shape of the tungsten it changes everything when you weld aluminum .Ac current hammers your tungsten

[@charliespann3967]

Another great video. I listened to your small rant. Dude there are haters out there. Just ask them if the work for free. Don't give away youy welding classes. People will be glad to pay for them and their people that won't. There's nothing you can do about. You have one of the best welding sites on KZbin . Hatere's are going to hate. Deal with people that want to learn. I have been TIG welding for 40 years on aircraft. I have learned a lot from you channel. Thanks Pay it forward brother.

[@melgross]

Yeah, I agree. It’s what I said in my last post. It’s not so much the percentage, but the actual power going into the tip. This is the problem with older transformer machines.

[@traviskas]

Dusty, this was such a great subject to talk about. I've been struggling with my tungsten deforming. Never thought of adjust balance. Next subject.... HERTZ adjustments for the width of the toes of the weld puddle would be great to also learn more about. Thank you!

[@timblack33]

It seems like everyone on here has released an AC balance video in the last few weeks. Yours is by far the best.

[@georgethoman82]

Im so glad to get a great explanation of the balance setting helped me out greatly.

[@baysandclays]

Recently had a period of time where all I welded was 1/8” thick material. I used a #5 cup with 3/32” tungsten and cleaning at 25%. Amperage was less than 150 amps. Then I had a run of 3/16” material. I switched to #8 gas lens with 1/8” tungsten. Stuck with 25% cleaning, but needed 200 amps. I got the nodules you showed in the video. The welding was good so I stuck with it and just changed tungsten more frequently. I played with gas flow a little, but never though to try a lower percent of cleaning, because I was having enough success to finish the project, but this tip may have made it even better and maybe faster due to less tungsten changes. I guess you could say I got into the rut because it was good enough but the whole time I was thinking how did this happen with #8 gas lens and not the #5 standard cup.

[@occasionalmachinist]

Great video - has explained things I've been wondering about for years

[@brettloo7588]

Great info. I am a hobby welder doing mostly steel, But i am building a vacuum chamber in 1/4 in 3003 treadplate. I was just struggling with the excessive balling. Looks like i need to change my balance :)

[@Meaty_taco]

What is your process to ball up the tungsten?

[@johngartner6710]

I have a Lincoln 355 and was welding aluminum the other day at 250 amps and I noticed my tungsten had a split at the end, now I know why! Thanks

[@damioncullers2015]

Man I’m excited to try this out! I commonly have incredibly thick aluminum to weld, I used a 75/25 helium argon mix around 275 amps. Even with 1/8th tungsten I’ve had this issue ALL DAY. If this works I’ll be stoked ! Appreciate your advice !

[@christophersimpson7052]

i just watched his webinar its really worth a watch thank you

[@nickorozco9177]

Excellent video ! How do u get the tungsten to “ball” initially ?

[@hallzy426]

Dusty, I really appreciate the info you give online here. I’ve learned a lot from you and your personal experiences over mine, and it’s great. I’m getting Into aluminum tig after 16yrs of 6G pipe welding. I’m a good welder and I just get it if you know what I mean but tig is waayyyy dif. I’m so intrigued it’s unreal but I’m having a hard time getting started with settings and tungsten choice. It’s just so different from what I thought but still gets me pumped to try a solid bead. Just not achieving desired yet.

[@redkite9611]

Hi! You mentioned using ball end tungstens, how do you prepare same?

[@brianhoefer7148]

The first tig machine I ever used was an old old Hobart . With a 25 gal water cooling system, the entire machine was the size of a Smart Car.

[@chriserickson4417]

I am totally new to the welding world. I am going to buy a MIG welder, but do find TIG very interesting. Thanks for the video!

[@stevejanka361]

Good evening, excellent tip, tricks, and techniques. Thank you for great education.

[@bma56]

Super Vidéo Merci 🙏 En résumé diminuer côté positif si vous augmenter l’ampérage

[@larrymoore5394]

Thanks for the review. Sometimes we forget the basics.thank you Larry Moore

[@taiwanluthiers]

I find Welding Tips and Tricks more helpful with beginners, especially working with limited materials. But this video is helpful to explain why my tungsten starts to go to crap once I start welding AC. Probably I have the AC balance too high. I only have thick blocks of scrap from a CNC machine operator, so I usually must weld at very high current. The torch also gets HOT when you weld too unless you are using water cooled. Next time I'll try using lower AC balance and raise them as necessary. Often those big blocks I have to preheat them, or maybe just start a bead somewhere on the metal, and let the welder heat it up, then I can back off the current. Weld has ended up looking better as a result.

[@jodycollins7326]

Awesome. I’m learning a lot about tig from this channel. I’m getting ready to start welding tig as soon as I get the rest of the items I need and I plan to take your online class as well. Have you heard of the welding tips and tricks podcast? I’m listening to that every day and it would be great to hear you on there.

[@tweake7175]

unfortunately the pod cast has finished up a little while ago. no idea if the guys will get time etc to start making new episodes. would be great if they did.

[@timmallard5360]

You just keep knocking it out of the park with these tips!

[@adamelwood7768]

i usually max out the balance and turn up the amperage, then hold the torch perpendicular to a weld surface and hold the pedal wide open until i get the ball im looking for. works for me anyways

[@BEAR3780]

noted that 75/25 depending on amps what would you do for up to 300 . as far as like number from and to

[@thealexis6647]

Ngl, you’re like a role model for me. Thanks for everything you do.

[@mliepkalns449]

Same here! All the most best info.

[@8MADJACK]

Great video, I have an old school transformer machine, so no balance adjustment, but interesting none the less

[@prebaned]

Or you can get the Amplitude pack for your Miller Dynasty and set independent Amps for EN and EP also works.

[@Island.dweller]

Sure glad I waited for the new model to come out.

[@marctardif9300]

top notch content as always 👍🏻

[@paulcusa1371]

Great informative videos, great teacher!! Good content!

[@MickeyDonovan-s9b]

My welder talks about Forward and Reverse current cycles and has -5 to 5 AC Balance settings. Which is the - and the +?

[@rabeekhalil4391]

Hi. I just bought a new welding machine and I want to learn to use it and start welding aluminum. At the moment I am trying to learn whatever I can about balance. The thing is that the machine I bought has all these knobs for setting it up and the knpob for the balance starts with -5 and ends with +5. Do you know anything about this and can you explain to me where the 30% should be on this knob? Thanks

[@jayk2k]

Hi , sorry total new to welding , what do you mean by running positive or negative side more or less ?

[@dankuchar6821]

Thanks for your excellent content! You've gained subscriber.

[@jasonevers3138]

Finally, I feel like I understand alot better what balance tuning does. Thank you soo much!

[@jeffreylynch3203]

A thousand years ago we prepped the tungsten by hitting a hard piece of copper at high heat to ball it.

[@tallyman15]

Great explanation of balance.

[@ularihansen2387]

Hey dusty whats up i have problem my aluminium welding turns pink when i finish my pass any ideas ?? Keep up the good work 🦾🦾

[@ularihansen2387]

And bubbles appear

[@WELDERBRO125]

Hi. What kind of video camera do you use to take a weld pool ? Thank you.

[@champtree]

show us how you ball your tungsten

[@michaelszczys8316]

The more heat you are using versus the balance is the key as while on the positive cycle the heat is going into the electrode. You have to turn it to least positive when cranked up high or else not only will it ball up, the balls will melt off into your weld. You have to find that point where the tip balls up but still hangs on.

[@gregwilkins7649]

Great tips Dusty.

[@darrellolsen1204]

Excellent video dusty 👌

[@young11984]

Mine does AC/DC tig but has a digital screen and no balance settings, how do you get the “ball” on the tungsten also?

[@domenicknegri]

I am having a heck of a time getting repeat welds . I have been welding stick, gas and MIG and do fairly well but with TIG I do not get consistent welds . I have a cheap TIG welder a 200 dollar Tooluim Stick and TIG . I can not control the heat , when you talk about balance, I do not get what you mean , is this heat setting versus gas flow . I have tried your thickness versus heat, using 120 gaffe to amp setting . I completed a couple decent TIG welds on steel. Aluminum was a disaster .

[@seanalexander9531]

This is awesome, thanks!

[@ProfessorOzone]

How do you ball the tungsten?

[@damienmilk3025]

Great advice, thanks

[@blackout7615]

I don't worry too much about tungsten prep or condition. I dip it in the weld pool after about a minute and have to fix it anyway.

[@timothyfaunce5485]

Im assuming the good tig welding machines allow you to tweak the positive and negative side of AC balance? I have a simple Weldpro ACDC 200GD because its really all i could afford, But the balance and dig are a single knob, with it maxing out at 75 if turned all the way to the right. is this tweaking the positive and negative side of AC balance? or is this two different settings combined? im confused as shit by this.

[@KranendonkRacing]

I have a syncrowave with balance of only 1-10. 1 being max penetration 10 being max cleaning.. what does this mean in regard to this?

[@TheWIBreW]

Your penetration is dc- and cleaning is the dc+ side. General rule is 70% dc- and 30% dc+. You would set it on 7 as a starting point and fine adjust from there

[@MarkWinch]

I'm just learning and i suck! hoping to fix/repair vintage Harley cast aluminum parts. machine/ blend so it looks not repaired and still cast. Great videos! Cheers!

[@TheWIBreW]

use 4043 filler for cast

[@robertfontaine3650]

Here's a question. For under a thousand dollars Canadian can you get a solid tig; ac/dc programmable (frequency, pre/post, alternating , variable foot lever, a solid torch, and plumbing? At what point can you get a torch that you can actually dial in based on the metal and filler specifications? I'm tempted by the 350 welders but they dont come with the features you would want for sanitary welding or pretty stuff. It looks like there are a couple of boxes that have the features but I don't know if the numbers are right on them. Are they well engineered or do you still have to practice the "art of welding"

[@CD-hc5ds]

Been watching your channel for a couple weeks now, man you do beautiful work! & your info is awesome! Im 50 years old, have dabbled with mig in the past but im not a welder (more of a grinder, LOL) Im on a budget but just purchased a Yeswelder AC/DC tig to start learning aluminum welding, hope this machine is sufficient? Won't be after beautiful or fancy welds, just decent looking & solid, most of anything i do will be painted, id like to attempt a DIY camper set up. Well, just subscribed & look forward to future videos. Thanks for all the great info.

[@JuanHernandez-hf2bw]

I use a Lincoln 275 precision When I weld 5/8 plates I do see my tungsten get all weird.

[@richardyelich4695]

GREAT CLIPS

[@richarddcvd8868]

Thanks!!

[@staceyswelding]

Another great video!!!

[@IrimerJimenezRivero]

Saludos hagan también la explicación en español

[@buildalifeworthliving4551]

Needed this right now big dog

[@ryantroy6980]

Good job

[@normpage4604]

What about saying what tungsten you're using.? Are you just using pure.? Or are you using E3.? Ceriated, Lanthanated. ??

[@buildalifeworthliving4551]

Layz-R from CK is one of his top tungsten

[@BEAR3780]

i weld with a dynasty 400 at work anybody got any tips when i'm pushing 250-300 amps , my tungsten always blows out . he said 150 amps like it was a lot , im welding oil coolers and we have to get them to pass 400 psi . im new to this but i have the basics down . wish me luck and any advice would help .

[@7781296]

Blasting 380 amps into aluminum and no balance setting could keep the ball stable no matter what tungsten i was using. My method was to just keep 5 tungsten ready to go and grinding them every hour lol

[@robertfontaine3650]

The slider in the camera shot made me laugh.

[@gussfoundry7600]

Thank you x 3. Thought I was going crazy. Apologies to my mother for calling her son a Fidiot.

[@patricksalmon3494]

SUPER.SUPER.SUPER. Merci

[@nightheron714]

This is a topic I thought I had learned well, and yet, you taught me more today. Thanks, Dusty. 🪙

[@premratan9298]

I am from India ❤❤❤

[@laszlohentes61]

THX!

[@sarbsukhsingh8347]

Im new to tig welding i am under immense pressure to learn upto 3f and 3g only in few days. I struggle a lot in fillet joints. Any help please.

[@PranaTech]

Hey, I’m not Dustin but I’ll try and help you as you are under a time crunch. Fillets can be the toughest to master when you are starting out. I found that keeping your tungsten as close to the workpiece as possible helps with getting the proper penetration and you have to watch the puddle closely to make sure both sides of the joint are even and the puddle is wetting out down into the root of the joint. It takes a lot more amps to weld fillet joints and because of this you have to watch your heat closely. It can build up and run ahead of you and the puddle will begin to widen and droop into the joint. You have to watch this and back off the amperage on your pedal and especially at the end of the joint to finish the weld without a crater. Hope this helps.😊👍

[@sarbsukhsingh8347]

@@PranaTech i weld on 6 mm plate at 145 amps. I can somehow manage the torch length and angle but whilst tapping filler wire sometimes its gets stuck. ( then everthing goes downhill). I tried feeding the filler wire but the weld bead will become thick( and it doesn't look nice).

[@sarbsukhsingh8347]

@@YoureUsingWordsIncorrectly i am trying my best but unfortunately my hands shiver a bit.( because of this i also had trouble using 7018 rod).

[@deathangel4462]

Good video

[@coryboyd7958]

Very cool guy!!

[@casual312]

Where are the fill and chill shirts !?

[@johnkizziah108]

I was a welding instructor for 35 years. Your good buddy. Size and type of tungsten are important. Millions of TIG machines out thair without AC balance. Not as important as tungsten prep and type.

[@pluss400]

Hope this helps. Either you dip it in the melt, or you use the wrong type of tungsten for the material. Alu and stainless, common metal has different tungsten, marked red and green. Keep in mind that the shielding gas comes in different varieties too, for different purposes. Investigate which one you use for which and then you will get a lot of other important information regarding Tig welding.

[@FroggysGoldProspecting]

Zirconiated tungsten for ally, white end.

[@hopefuldave]

@@FroggysGoldProspecting 2% Lanthanated, does everything for me, but I'm using an inverter TIG, not transformer

[@larrymoore5394]

Good morning

[@beyondmiddleagedman7240]

I'm glad my HF250 has no "features" and extra settings to fiddle with. So many things to not have to think about. Just concentrate on the hundred other variables tig welding has.

[@EdE6688]

How the hell you make a ball on the end of a tungsten?

[@Then.72]

Get your balance right and remove your oxide that burns at a higher temperature than the metal itself

[@billfarmer129]

hi

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Don't most machines just have a Balance Dial? I've never seen a Machine with 2 balance dial's, positive & negative!

[@mishmash4891]

The angle on that tungsten is way to steep imo

[@makantahi3731]

long story short : + current always must be around 20 amps

[@johnbower]

Why didn't you just say it's trial and error depending on what machine you are using and what you are welding

[@jacobwells618]

💙💚🪙🪙

[@joewest2560]

So so many of the Chinese 200 amp machines will only go to 30% positive.

[@awaiskarni887]

,👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@BEAR3780]

still don't understand how to ball the tungsten and you have yet to actually answer how to get a balled tip on your tungsten .....