Considering the power consumption, and the other basics, some factors are here to take into account to get the best TIG welder for aluminium. Factually these tools are not the things to choose by appearance or color. Functional keys are the subject matter to ensure the ideal performance curve and benefits. Hence before buying, you must learn the ABC beyond your usual understanding to analyze which one performs well. For your assistance, the prior issues are given here, accomplishing what to know for sure.
Input Power:
All the welding machines are capable of performing in two ways, either in 110 volts or in 220 volts. Basically, it depends on your material thickness. Determination of gauge is a must fact to result in perfect welding. The power input needs a high voltage when it comes to high-density material of a long duty cycle. In this case, the DC output will perform best. Steel is high density, and so 220 volts is required for the welding. On the other hand, the aluminum and material like these have a thin thickness that’s why lower voltage is the operation input. For the thinner materials, alternative current (AC) is used. So to do welding for every metal, you need to buy a TIG welding machine of two modes to get the services, respectively.
Quality:
Quality always covers aspects of performance, longevity, accuracy of work, and so on. In light of your requirements, the TIG welding machine is of the best choice clearing the confusions in between MIG and TIG weld. TIG welding machines always serve the combo pack of perfection. Do your work efficiently and accurately with a TIG welder and enjoy your welding.
Duty cycle:
What duty cycle refers to is the maintenance of the operation consistency. The continuation it can hold of total operating time is the performance of the duty cycle. The best aluminum welder has a vast amount of duty cycle. Usually, AC can’t give a long duty cycle as the direct power input overheats the machine and takes time to cool down. That’s why the durability gets shortened. Hence, high DC voltage ensures the long duty cycle with a perfect prolongation.
Now, pointing to the point which one is better for a good duty cycle? Well, the duty cycle is a percentage of DC. Basically, 20-60 % of DC has been used for most of the welding machines. For light purposes, 20% of Dc is not bad, but for commercial uses, the high DC voltage is required. A 60% duty cycle is used in this regard.
Weight and Size:
Nobody wants to be torn out with tons of burden. In this era of mobility, lightweight and portable machines are the buyer’s choice in almost every case. The options vary for the different sectors and requirements. Hence, the weight issue is not a thing to bother in case of industrial production, and heavyweight tungsten welding machines can perfectly fit in. On the contrary, for mechanical and nomadic working, lifting ability is always preferable. In this case, the tools that weigh not more than 100 lbs are perfect.
The size determines the weight and handles ensure the smooth lifting. So make sure that you have a sturdy handle to carry out. Otherwise, there may be damage during moving, despite the lightweight for unreliable handles.
Digital Display and Automation:
Digital display and automation always lighten the pressure of manual work and help to do the job accurately. Controlling voltage, amperes, the material type, and power input is more comfortable than handling manually in this regard. The automation system ensures that the machine does not get damaged from overheating and stops immediately. The preset features are quite handy and beneficial both for the beginner and experienced ones.
Thickness:
The matter to consider is the material’s thickness. Usually, the thick materials are welded finely by TIG welders. Besides this, it works well with the thinner materials; also, what you need is using a stick to bring perfection. So be concerned with your welder’s material thickness range.
Price:
The price ranges typically from lower ones to expensive. It’s not obvious that the expensive ones are the best. First, Review the features and then choose your one at your desired price. Just make sure that the quality is excellent to start your welding journey smoothly.
Accessories:
Well, the welding machine alone itself can’t give you the perfect performance. Accessories are a must in this regard. So don’t ever forget to check what is in your box and be confirmed that if they are okay with the quality and quantity. So let’s check what these accessories are. Welding gloves, aprons, and helmets, dust masks are here as safety equipment. Besides these gas nozzles, manuals, hammers, and tungsten rods are also there for welding assistance.
Aluminum Welding Tips
One of the most robust arts in the welding sector is aluminium welding. Steel and stainless steel are quite easier to weld than aluminum. However, with the right tips and frequent practice will pass you through.
Safety protection:
Safety is the first thing you should be concerned about. There are certain aspects to look into to make sure you’re safe and sound. To protect your eyes, wear a helmet that has compatibility to filter UV and IR. Wear authentic gloves in your hands during welding. Gloves would protect you from Electrical Shock, Heat, and molten metal splatters. Leather Boots are another thing to wear for your safety. It protects you from slipping on wet, oily surfaces and keeps your feet from exudated material.
Beyond that, weld in a well-ventilated area to make sure you can breathe seamlessly.
Aluminium Welding Process:
You can weld aluminum in three different ways, namely, Arc, MIG, and TIG. We will discuss all three types of welding with the advantages and disadvantages.
Arc Welding/Stick Welding
Arc welding is an old-fashioned process that creates an electric arc between an electrode stick and aluminium. It is also known as Stick welding and works both in AC or DC. Arc welding is the most economical welding and doesn’t require much equipment to operate. Therefore, it wouldn’t be the right choice for thinner materials.
Tips 1:
For best performance, use DC power.
Tips 2:
The target aluminum should be prepared by cleaning, drying, and by oxidation removing. Start with heating the material so that you’ll get the desired performance quickly.
Tips 3:
Put the electrode stick in the aluminum and feed the rod quickly that will help the layer to melt faster.
Tips 4:
The amperage power should be lowered subsequently to prevent overheating.
MIG Welding
MIG welding is a 1900s welding method that produces inert gas through wire electrodes and heats the metal. A beginner can easily weld aluminium quickly by this method. Despite that, it has some disadvantages. It can’t weld thicker aluminium perfectly.
Tips 1:
To avoid jamming, prepare equipment with push-pull cables.
Tips 2:
Remove dirt and oxidation for a smooth performance.
Tips 3:
Avoid pulling to prevent messy weldings.
Tips 4:
If your workload is higher, then use brass that will prevent overheating.
TIG Welding Tips
Tungsten Inert Gas welding produces the weld using a non-consumable tungsten electrode that sparks and fumes dispersed in a very few amounts. It provides most precise working performance than any other welding process. However, TIG is comparatively slow than MIG welding and needs greater practices to be mastered.
Tips 1:
Start with selecting the proper electrode, preferably, tungsten rod.
Tips 2:
Prepare the metal with cleaning and scratching.
Tips 3:
AC mode cleans the oxide during operations. So, set the polarity in AC while welding the aluminum.
Tips 4:
Set amperage at four pulses as well as pre and post flow need to be on.
Tips 5:
Preheat the metal to get an overwhelming performance.
Tips 6:
Use a Friction Stir Heat Sink to prevent overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ques: What is the best welder for aluminum?
Ans: Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i is the best TIG welder for aluminium regarding its efficiency. It is a dedicated Tig welding machine with a wide range of features. Aside, it can also weld steel and stainless steel.
Ques: Can you weld aluminum with TIG?
Ans: Yes, you can. There are three different ways to weld aluminium- MIG, Stick, and TIG. TIG is quite a time consuming compared to others. Hence, TIG provides the perfect and smooth arc on aluminum.
Ques: What settings do I use to TIG weld aluminum?
Ans: First of all, set the Polarity to AC. Then set the amperage volume. And finally, set the thickness of the metal.
Ques: How do you set up a Miller TIG welder for aluminum?
Ans: Firstly, connect torch into the front of the machine, Connect Remote Control, and work lamp. Select Polarity after preparing tungsten. And finally, connect the power and switch on the machine.
Ques: How hard is it to TIG weld aluminum?
Ans: It is comparatively a little tricky to weld aluminium with TIG welding. Therefore, with proper practices, one would easily be mastered in TIG welding. For efficient performance, it is worth the practices.
Ques: What is the best tungsten for welding aluminum?
Ans: There is various tungsten available in the market, depending on the Polarity and welding method. You can use Orange for AC, whereas Green for DC only. However, you can use Blue and Gold to use in both SC and DC.
Final thoughts
I think you have got enough insights to select the best and cheapest aluminum welder according to your needs. If you’re still hesitating to choose the right one, don’t worry, I’ll share my favorite machine.
Looking at the performance and after-sales service, my favorite best TIG welder for aluminium is Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V. Hobart is a cheap welder for aluminum widely famous for its quality, features, and services. The machine has various features that are usually unseen in others. Along with the regular features, it offers inverter technology based pedal control, remote controlling, and on-demand fan. Hence, it shuts down automatically when the heat level exceeds the standard value.
Could you not mix up my own choice with yours? All of the above welders are world-class. Select anyone according to your needs and desired features.