Hey Bob, Thanks man for taking the time out of your schedule to personally call me and walk & talk me thru my TIG dilemma this week. There is definitely a huge difference between you and unnamed welding channels... You wanting to teach and help folk learn welding, and those others who just dont even bother answering a question on the comments. Your a Man of integrity! And I truly appreciate you taking the time with me. Thank you! BTW- the banter and kidding around thing "The Camera guy" is great!

God I miss Bob!!! He is hilarious and has the best dry humor of any industrial arts teacher!!!

I got the PowerMTS251si for Christmas. I only mig with it right now (auto body tech). Knowing I can start to learn Tig on aluminum with it is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for showing that you can indeed DC TIG weld aluminum. I'm in the processes of getting a multiprocessor welder; your video has helped my decision making.

Bob and his whole cameraman thing lol "probably snoozing " 😂

Thank you so much!! I have this exact machine and was debating on trying to weld aluminum as I am new to welding aluminum and so many people online say "you can't use a DC machine". I'm going to go get smaller bottle of helium and practice now! You guys rock! Thanks for your always informative and detailed videos that get right to the answers with clear explanation and demonstrations!! It's invaluable knowledge and deeply appreciated!!👍👍👍

thanks for another really informative video bob. i have been welding for over 40 yrs (doesn't mean i'm a welder) and i have never seen anyone weld aluminum with dc and helium. i have been running a 300dx for the last five years so i have never had to explore other options to weld aluminum, but that sure is a trick worth knowing.

I do not have any of those expensive modern welding machines, I run a Miller Shopmaster 300a and a Miller 351 Syncrowave machine, I tig weld everything that comes in my shop door from Aluminum stainless Mild steel and alot of the specialties. If you know how to weld you do not need one of these expensive machines. I run Argon but mix my own Helium and Argon for aluminum, run DC with straight helium on thick aluminum and a pre heat. It all comes down to experience and how you were taught. Bob you were taught like me on the job and from the old timers that pays off in the real world. Always learning never always knowing is my motto, your videos are great, the keyboard jockeys might have other things to say but those who do this for a living think differently.

@Welddotcom

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support.

@bobmoffatt4133

7 жыл бұрын

Gallagher Metal Works Right on man! Thanks for the support.

@ianbertenshaw4350

7 жыл бұрын

We used to use the soot from an oxy torch to indicate when Aluminium was close to melting for oxy welding .

@kevbarry6457

7 жыл бұрын

ian bertenshaw....wow I'm not a welder..yet! But I remember back in the 70's being shown the carburization method for finding the bending point of Ali. Good memory thanks.

@qklmike

6 жыл бұрын

Weld.com you can use a Sharpe to preheat the same way.

I was looking for a proper video of aluminum on DC! My teachers were asking me to try to aluminum on dc because I always like too try challenging myself and they notice it. Anyway, thank you Bob!

Thanks for making the video! I had no idea welding aluminum on DC was possible!

@Welddotcom

7 жыл бұрын

If you can get your hands on some helium give it a go.

@horaciosalinas8145

3 жыл бұрын

@@Welddotcom what about the tungsten what type of it

Welding is a hobby that I enjoy and I use it to make and fix things around the house. Can't justify the super equipment that the professionals say is required...REALLY APPRECIATE how you're demonstrating the practical application of "real world" equipment that we of limited funds and time can afford. I'd ruled out DC only TIG because I have a few small projects that must be built of aluminum. THIS demonstration has made we reconsider trying TIG since I can afford a DC only rig. Thanks for all the work and practicality that you are bringing to the hobby welder community.

THANK YOU. I'm fairly new to welding and have repeatedly seen post after post of people saying you cannot weld aluminum with DC. Once I saw a few (very few) saying you can (with argon or helium) I started looking for the real pros...like this! Obviously AC is better for thin stuff but for 1/8" and larger it seems that DC can do really well with the right tools and technique.

@leonardpearlman4017

6 жыл бұрын

Very few! NONE for a long time. I think AC makes aluminum easier, and somehow over time that became "the only way"!

Another great Friday: A corn dog, a beer and a video from Mr. Bob that I learned from. I guess those Everlast machines are liked by quite a few welders. Thanks Bob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!!! About time we had a discussion on dc machines running aluminum 👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I love running it! Have some work coming up that'll smooth my craving lol good work guys!

@Welddotcom

7 жыл бұрын

Cheers Niall🍻🍻 You going to be posting that on IG? Tag us when you do.

@salzamora6463

7 жыл бұрын

Weld.com I have a lot of stuff that I will tag you in. Great job

Good information for the hobby welder with a dc only machine who on occasion needs to weld moderately thick aluminum pieces. I always appreciate Bob Moffitt's excellent instructional videos!

Thank you Bob for your time and effort, I really enjoy watching your videos during my work lunch break 👌😅

In the mid sixties I welded on the Saturn V first stage. It was all DC, but we (being on time and material) actually scraped all the to be welded surfaces with a three edged scraper, then wiped all surfaces with MEK.

@jtkilroy

5 жыл бұрын

Worked at Stennis?

@lightmeupsigns5363

5 жыл бұрын

WOW is this true

@user-pp4hc6rs6s

5 жыл бұрын

Lol good old mek

@panzerdozer

3 жыл бұрын

Was it tig with helium??

As a child of the 60's Heliarc is what I remember the racers using on everything aluminum. This is the first time I've seen the process. Very cool.

Absolutely Amazing. Again, thank you so very much Mr, Moffatt.

Awesome vid. Didn't know that. Our Miller Rep. Even said it can't be done. Thanks alot. You've just opened new doors. Thanks again. Love mig Mondays as well.

It matters because not all AL alloys can be welded with DC TIG and Helium is extremely expensive and hard to come by in many areas (twice as much as Argon in my area). Helium is also a non-renewable resource and will probably be highly regulated in the not too distant future.

Thank you Bob! This really helped me out. I think ill wait on that HTP AC tig and give the helium a try first.

Bob! You sir are a man's man in my book. I hope you teach more boys to be men like you! Carry on!

learned something new! Thank you!

you're a king ... thank you for everything ... I'm looking forward to a new video ... greetings from Croatia!

Point well taken Bob for general fabrication DC tig with helium why not.............absolutely

Awesome video as always Bob!

Hay Bob; i worked for MacDonald Douglas during the B1-B bomber Fairing Fuel tank Program we did for Rockwell International. We used a combination of half & half argon-Helium on a vary high strength aluminum called 2219 and welded it with 2319 for Hand welding but the automatic that i used was 100% Laboratory grad Straight Helium.

Just wanted to say thank you for posting your videos big help ty

Great. I've been DC welding aluminum for 3-4 years, process is kinda grungy but nice welds and I'm doing it with a Thermal Arc 160. Thanks for the great viedos, been watching all of yours.

That's really cool, thanks for the video. I've been getting a lot of conflicting info about dc tig welding aluminum. Glad to know it can be done!!

Dang ol' Bob, a wealth of information, no bullshit, and always gets a chuckle from me

Didn't know you could do that. cool tip thanks for sharing

@Welddotcom

7 жыл бұрын

That's why we're here. 🍻

@dtwilliams1779

7 жыл бұрын

This is a great video. I will have to give it a go with my everlast DC welder.

Love this video... THANK YOU! I hear the same comments all the time....

never thought it was possible until i searched this,,, thank you! you saved me from buying an a/c tig machine!

Bob Moffat rocks! Thanks Bob!

So glad i came across this. Lol I was one of them ppl that would say well you can't do aluminum on these cheaper DC tig stick welders. Awesomeness

THANK YOU! getting some helium tomorrow!

@simclardy1

4 жыл бұрын

That's getting harder

Good to know this is a possible solution! Thank you 🙏

Wow. That is awesome. Love your videos!!!

Also, I love you attitude and how you call out trolls and keyboard warriors at the start of a video. LOL!!!

Learn something new every day, excellent video and tips......cheers

Thankyou Bob, All information is helpfull.

Wow!! ..didn't know that. Thnx for sharing this awesome video Sir.

Great video bob. I gained from it going to try it off of my 200d . Thanks a bunch take care

Darn you're a funny feller Bob, but your a better teacher! I have a tailgate and 2 sidebars that I have to build for my welding truck. I'm not as muscley as I once was. My tailgates are too heavy. I needed to watch my Sinsai to remember how to do this process. Thank you Bob and Camera Guy.

Interesting Bob thank you for all your knowledge you share with us much appreciated 💯💪🇺🇸👍

Thank you so much Sir! I really enjoy your videos.

Hell yes, that is the shit I'm talking about. Thank you Bob for putting it to rest for some of the people that you do not need ac for aluminum

I really appreciate this video I was under the impression aluminum could only be welded on AC period end of discussion so I am super stoked about this knowing I can do some aluminum practice with me DC TIG machine

@UniteForgetLeftRight

4 жыл бұрын

Saw another vid of a guy using argon and stick rods and it looked ok.

Great vid, thx for shearing!

awesome stuff thanks for reminding me I can do just about anything with a little knowledge.

Ive been weldin for 18 years. Why did i not know you could run aluminum DC? Mind blown

thanks i have a project in the future that this will be handy with this very machine.

Great info! Holy smoke bob that looks great

I'm convinced!

cheers man, probably saved me a grand

I like ur work keep em coming

Mr Bob you have me interested! I heard you could do this so I tried not realizing argon is not correct! It was a mess! Now I know why... thank you very much. I guess I do t need a ac machine after all!

Been doing this on trailer/field repairs for years. Lincoln 305G efi with just a scratch start rig. Not the best, not the neatest. But cheap and durable and only extra purchase was small tank of helium. An old fart a used to work for taught me this, was a hell of a welder. Not that it matters but i still to this day have never scene anyone able to weld pipe like we would with tig with an acetylene rig, ol harry probly forgot more than ill ever know

Looks great. You get soot even with mig ac alum if your not pushing the gas ahead forward.

Thank sir for this video..i almost spent way to much with ac dc tig machine ....thx air bob..

@erikpuedatvofficial8550

3 жыл бұрын

Sir

I'd like to see you run that same thing using lay wire to see how the puddle flows, but awesome info!

I didn't know this was possible, thanks for sharing! Helium is certainly more expensive than argon, but way cheaper than an AC machine if you already have a DC machine like I do. What grade of Helium were you running?

thank you for information

THANK YOU!

Thanks Mr.

Great information!

I check my temp with IR Meter. Around 200 dog is good starting point on preheat.

Great video, as always. The most prohibitive thing for us hobby welders in the uk is the cost of helium. A 20l bottle of argon including deposit for the bottle has just cost me 200 pounds. I simply cannot afford to have a helium bottle sitting around as well which costs far more. Its far more cost effective to spend the extra money on an ac capable machine and only use one bottle of pure argon.

awesome :) does it have to be pure helium ? would a argon mix work? are you running straight or reverse polarity ? what about tungsten , which one are you using and is it balled or pointed ?

Bob, excellent vidjya as always. Is it possible to scratch start running DC w/ helium? Like say you were in the field with an engine drive that was DC only?

You guys got a new camer? The picture was oddly smooth for a start :)

"She 'aint hot, She's heavy"

Looked up the machine on the Everlast site. According to the picture and the location of the cables, if that is the MTS 251Si then Bob has it set for electrode negative. also the tip of the tungsten did not ball so it must be - Oh and thanks Bob, now I have to price out some helium for my cheap 140 machine. any more bottles that I need? LOL

Good little Video.

thank you

"Well apparently they weren't... goin'." Lol, don't know why, that just struck me funny.

Thanks!!

Good Job!

Outstanding good to know!

Hey man thanks so much for the video really helped a lot preciate it look forward to seeing the next one super new to take welding this could be a really dumb question can you TIG weld stainless steel with helium where would I have to change back to Argonne thanks

Heilicarc ??? in the 30 S ad 40 to 60 s tungsten with helium welding and that machine can do it thats awesome

I got turned onto this just about a year ago from a buddy. What he said makes sense.....this is how they welded aluminum 50+ years ago and its still how they weld aluminum for many processes like dies and such. Thanks for showcasing this Bob!!! Also, were you running DCEN or DCEP? I have seen guys run both ways but will different tungsten sizes due to the heat concentration.

@zanpekosak2383

7 жыл бұрын

Brian Streufert Probably DCEN. From material to electrode for the "cleaning action"

@StreuB1

7 жыл бұрын

Cleaning action (material to electrode) is DCEP, not DCEN. That is why I am asking for clarification. You can weld it both ways.

@davidmarquardt2445

6 жыл бұрын

I had read a long time ago in school that in the old days they used DC reverse to weld beer kegs. Back when AC machines weren't very common.

@aksting

6 жыл бұрын

Brian Streufert. It is DCEN. This will give a deeper penetration weld with Aluminum versus AC. This is also used extensively with welding vacuum chambers. DCEP won't weld thick materials, but cleans the oxide off.

@leonardpearlman4017

6 жыл бұрын

No cleaning action here!

About Preheat: This definitely seems like a situation for preheat, and also vigorous cleaning (according to literature). Everyone seems to agree that preheat is good, it seems easy, cheap and fun, but nobody ever does it! There might be a really convincing demo in here somewhere... say a thick piece of aluminum such that you can't get it to melt with full power... and then try again after preheat, or after changing to Helium, something like that. It should be easy enough to get a situation where there is or is not a puddle, something that's easy for the students to see.

Thanks Bob for the great video. I already have AC/DC Tig (Syncrowave 210) but am always interested in alternative ways to "skin the cat." A video discussing He/Ar mixes would also be helpful, for those times when a bit more is needed out of a machine for a one-off job. I've managed without helium thus far, but wouldn't hesitate to run to the nearest party store for one of the small 8.9cf balloon cylinders if needed. Great job & thanks again.

@leonardpearlman4017

6 жыл бұрын

I have had a great time welding with Argon and about 10-20% Balloon-grade helium. I'm definitely a beginner! You notice the difference instantly! Bright shiny puddle, the whole business seems much more lively. I let a friend try it, I was mixing the gases by hand off to the side. I let him get started and weld for a few seconds. When I let out the Helium he yelled "Wow! Look at THAT!". It's a great demo. As it happened, I was completely following a weldingtipsandtricks video on this topic.

@WilliamPayneNZ

3 жыл бұрын

Do not use balloon gas. It is not as pure as industrial and scientific grade helium.

AC low frequency penetrates deeper too

The black is just the same as when I’m using my mig welder. It’s nothing lol. People are crazy when it comes to aluminum.

Nice job 😂😂 !!! Great Video

Does helium require a special regulator or can you use the same one that you use for you're argon

@leonardpearlman4017

3 жыл бұрын

It's the same tank fitting. CGA 580? The flowmeter won't read right. Some flow meters have different scales so they can be used on different gases, if you just remember to look at the right scale.

How's the machine holding up? Really considering this as my 2nd welder.

do you use DC current during the aluminum welding process?

Could you do a similar process with dc mig with helium? Haven’t seen anyone do it but the movement and feed rate would be consistent

How do feel about pre-heating using a quick arc only pass before a dabbing pass?

Best video yet! If you don't do a lot of TIG aluminum (like me) it's just what you wanted to hear! The thing I like to know is Everlast PowerMTS 211Si vs the ESAB Rebel EMP 215 ic in a head to head comparison. Bob has used both I believe and would be the perfect man to do the comparison.

@cozf8109

7 жыл бұрын

Tony Baggett Hopefully the Everlast PowerMTS 221Sti will be released soon and he can review it. Would be nice to have a complete Multi function machine.

@tonybaggett1984

7 жыл бұрын

Coz F I agree the 221 is going to be sweet. But I heard Everlast has them at an introductory price of $2000 which is a good value they said they'd retail at $2700 which I doubt. The Rebel and the 211 are more similar with just a around a $500 price differences. I fell like the 211 has more features but the Rebel is more intuitive.

@cozf8109

7 жыл бұрын

Tony Baggett Does the rebel have AC tig and HF start? Couldn't find one that does but may be looking at an models.

@tonybaggett1984

7 жыл бұрын

Coz F the Rebel doesn't but I wanted to compare models with similar price ranges and features. The 221 is going to be superior to both because of the features and AC/DC Tig but it's in the $2000 as far as price.

@tomhayes6920

6 жыл бұрын

Tony Baggett great reply have you tried pure argon vs helium and whats your thoughts on the e3 tungsten thank you in adavance

Back in the day thats all we had was DC helium. I had a hard time adjusting to AC with Argon.

I'm surprised at how good the cut looks, it sure looked to me like it was just laying on top when you were welding it.

From what I've seen on KZread the DC- with helium gives good penetration. There isn't the cleaning action of AC, but the oxide floats. DC+ with argon good for thin aluminum and gives the cleaning action but you need thicker tungsten.

PERFECT !!! PLEASE ELECTRODE IS + OR - ?

Been there done that. Silicon Valley is how we did it however we used A little argon.