TIG Welding one Inch Thick Aluminum with a 175 amp welder
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- see a more detailed article here goo.gl/j28WVt visit the store weldmongerstore... I have a Lincoln TIG 175 square wave tig welder and wanted to see how it would hold up welding some one inch thick aluminum parts.
I used a bit of helium and it got the job done. Also at the end of this video, I talk about getting side jobs...and how I price the work.
Jody, your channel has cost me $1500 + many hours of my time........ couldn't be HAPPIER! Thank you!
Me too 🤣
Me three ;)
"stay the course, don't try to go chasing things around" best advice i've heard in forever, thanks! i have a bad habit of stopping a million times and second guessing myself on those 'shaky days' and it always seems to go further downhill from there. thanks again, Jody, for all of this real world advice.
I really appreciate you going over the cost for jobs
you sir are awesome. ..not only technical but also personal and business advice.thanks a bunch
karroome I concur!
Thanks for the tips Jody. No matter what comes down the pipe you eventually find a job to big for your equipment. Tips like using helium are solid gold.
For a time I managed the tool room for a larger shop with a lot of stamping presses. The edges on the blanking dies would break down after a few thousand hits and we would have them welded up by a local guy who ran a weld shop. Every time I went over to drop off or pick up a part he would be at the bench welding something. A tool room can be a good source of work too. We got started with the guy because one of my tool makers knew him. Networking is always a good way to pick up business.
Have heard you speak of adding Helium for extra "horse power" on your podcast. Glad to see the simplicity of your setup, looks very straightforward. My budget only allows for the purchase of a Square Wave TIG200 so a bit of helium will give me the muscle to do the odd thicker section. Thanks for the video
Another great video. I'm just finishing up my first welding class and I've learned more from you than I did in a 160 hour class, Thanks Jody!
Good advice on pricing jobs, I think you mentioned it before. I started pricing jobs that way and it works well and I feel I am pricing things consistently.
I'm really grateful for all the knowledge I've gained from watching your posts..
Hear, hear!
Great vid, I'm just getting into TIG welding for the first time after MIG'ing for a while. Your actual weld-footage is the best I've seen. Awesome that you added a little business know-how at the end.
Thanks for your comments at the end. It's great to learn a little more about pricing and sourcing work. Your videos have helped me build a small side business fabricating aluminum products. Without your content id still be dreaming about things I would want to weld!
Loved both your welding tips and your life tips in this one. I think that is really good advice.
Jody is the best that I've found. I never would have gotten interested in welding if it wasn't for his videos. In fact, I bought my first everlast welder because I was hooked on welding from his videos.
Jody, Great Vid as always.. I use a spare piece of aluminium as a striking pad for the initial starting arc, let the electrode warm up then stop, keep the argon flowing (with a few button presses or heaps of post flow) then go straight to the part being tacked, tack as required.. Ending up with some very clean tacks. Same process before a bead run too.
Great tip. Thx
Thats a great tip. Thank you.
What additional benefit does a tig welder like the everlast 255ext have with its advanced waveforms? It sounds like it allows the welder to more heat into the weld but I'd like to more about how much it would help.
I think there have been a few videos out there on how it works. You can also check out the everlast forum because I think there was a guy who posted on there how he melted thick aluminum clean through using that waveform. It's a great welder.
I like videos like this where you share your big brain with us about starting a weld-hustle haha. I’m 29 years old, just bought the TIG225X about a month ago as my 1st welder & I decided I want to make a career out of welding so your videos are a priceless resource. Thanks for all the work you’ve done & still do. You’re awesome man 🤘🏻
Thank you so much Jody. About to weld up some 20mm thick aluminum and bought a bottle of helium to boost my 200 amp welder
Really, really appreciate the last bit about bidding and getting work. For sure lots to learn but can do well enough to start. Just gotta get er done.
Hi Jodie,
I love the advice on job shops! Ive got a welding/fabrication business and never though of going to the small machining shops for work.
Saying that, I dont quote like you as I do it per hour at the moment with a free drop off/pick up service.
Cheers
Thank you for the job start up advice I'm getting ready to go to welding school and hoping to start my own heavy equipment welding business with a service truck
Jody, thanks a lot for taking the time. Really like your videos and I am a retired TV news photographer. You couldn't do it any better and your editing to keep things moving is first rate. As a backyard welder who wants to bend steel/aluminum to my will your help is priceless. Thanks again, sorry I can't suggest any constructive criticism as I don't see where any is needed.
Jody your a blessing to this industry and those trying to pursue this weld life thing. i would like to say thanks for everything you show
Just ran across this video and loved it. Also, as a small machine shop, we love to work with local vendors and shops so great business advice Jody!
Jody, love the vids, not only are they timeless but they’re so informative! Much love -Blaine
10:40 is about the best Welding Tips and Tricks you have in the video! Knowing that you can do the work is the best bet.
I've got a doozy of a job right now, it's about 8 original Ford model T motor mounts for a few one of models that we only made for under one year. They are irreplaceable parts and have stress fractures in them. What's worse is that sometime several decade ago, someone had attempted to remove the factures and cracks by (SMAW) welding; however, they clearly couldn't prevent the metal from cracking a second pass for the other side of the mount. The final result was that they just cut the entire area out and now it has to be replaced.
They had clearly overheated them welding, quenched them in water, and then started on the other side. It's brittle, it's going to need proper TIG welding, peening, and then heat cycled to stabilize the metal again.
When I began prepping the metal for welding, it became a discovery process finding more and more hairline cracks running through the solid metal. It even has chips missing off of the metal and it looks more cast iron than steel because of the extremely old welding attempt.
I don't even know what I'm going to charge for the first/worse one out of 8. If it were by time, I'd lose money. if it were by tack, I'd lose money. I think I'm just going to figure it based on time with a percentage of welding/time in my hands. The rest aren't really bad, so I'm thinking pictures will have to tell the tale for me. They're good people, so I'll just make the final cost negotiable when they're all done. I want more of their unusual, specialty work and a one-off awful job may well be best to just take for the team!?
Any advice on this kind of pricing, I would most certainly appreciate it. They bought the truck for these parts and a few more. It was an extremely rare delivery truck from what I was told.
I just bought that machine the other day, my first welder! Glad to see that its kickin!
cool sharing your personal experience there at the end!
Thank you so much Jody for all you've done for this industry!
Man, that was my first Tig machine, HATED IT!!!! Sold it 10 years after I bought it for the same money I paid for it!!! I bought a Miller Dynasty 200dx used from a supplier in Charlotte, awesome machine!!! I weld some heavy alum with that wide open, that Helium mix is a great tip though...
Wow !! I really liked this video. The last couple of minutes were of much value to me. I just started a small metal fabrication business and knowing how much to charge is sometimes a real gamble. Gonna give your way a go. Thanks.!
Great video Jody,
I have yet to come across an aluminum welding job with that thick of material but still a good tip with regards to using helium for that little extra kick.
I really appreciated your tip at the end as well, with regards to looking for work, it never dawned on me to include a sample with a business card, great idea. As luck would have it, I am a machinist who can weld, which has saved my butt on an occasion or two, lol. Because, as I'm sure everyone knows, we rarely make mistakes :))
And just to let you know, I am still making good use of the tig fingers I purchased. and am glad I have them.
Thanks again,
Ian Little
Thank you. This is the best welding channel on the web.
Some of the most solid advice I've seen in a video lately
thnx jodi; nice & simple fit up 'fixture', the positioner forwards straight to inventory and absolutely correct - the united inch method for estimating singles and / or billing out bulk. repectfully.
Great vid again, I work from home with little over heads, I picked up aluminium work from a small company, I started out for quoting going to a larger fab shops for their price then dropped my price by 10 percent from their quote, picking up a lot of gravy now, you just need to meet their demands and jump right in, there's a pot of gold if your smart about it and not too greedy on over pricing yourself out of the market
Excellent tips. I'm just starting out my side welding business. I've got a dependable everlast welder that I've been using for years now doing my own thing. Time to make some money on the side.
Well done video Jody, if I may add to your pricing advice, weld pricing needs to be separate from any real preparation beyond minor cleaning as you outlined in the video, many times in a job shop setting parts seldom come "100% ready to weld", just be aware many times this kind of preparation can exceed actual weld time many times over, beside establishing your own minimum you should try to form a non welding labor scale to get you paid for preparation.
Great video and you answered ALL questions during the video that were popping up in my mind!!!!!
Good points on the business side of things, always interested in that.
I second that one. I want to earn some money with my everlast welder. It would at least pay for my welding gear addiction LOL
I'm designing my own positioner. It's definitely doable on a budget.
Always thinking of the guys and gals starting out!!! Thank you Jody
Be blessed my friend!!!
Hey Jody, that's some good business advice there, getting the work in is the hardest thing at least it is here in the UK there's not many machine shops around these days.
(In the Dos Equis guys voice) "I don't always use aluminum cleaner, but when I do I make it Dynaflux. Dynaflux...stay shiney my friends"
***** lmao Good one!
+Nicholas Teta HAHAHA
Lol i thought of the dos equis guy when he said that too.
thank you for all the tutorials jody
I'm an old timer, retired union sheet metal worker. I remember the days when the guys would call all TIG welding "heliarc"... Now I never hear "heliarc", enven when using helium. Times change brother, lol
Thèse are very good advices for starting a small business.
We have a local welder that only does aluminum TIG. He welds for all the big three auto companies, local and distant car racing groups, and engine builders. He is SO popular, you need to drop certain names to even get him to talk to you. I asked him why he has an UNLISTED phone number? He gave me a rather off the wall answer. So I said, you don't want the idiots with the small jobs even finding you? He cracked his first smile to me, and kind of nodded his head. I felt like I was talking to royalty. In the end, he repaired my aluminum head with the water leak. He even told me these heads almost always leaked in this corner, because of a sand core shift. Talk about knowing your stuff. I couldn't even see where it had been welded, and cost me $50. Saved a $500 head from being trashed. Good guy, glad I met him.
Jody, luv your vid's.... You just plow the field with no mess'in around. Thanks for that...! Cheers, Daniel
I'd swap some shakes for some of my wobbles and flops.
Dude, you are a true artist...
Great vid Jody, I always learn new things from you, your the best thanks Mark
Lincoln square wave 175 tig welder, I just bought one of these MISTAKE. Why? It is a transformer welder and my shop does not have enough power to run it at full power. My power lines and breaker start heating up. The biggest issue for this welder, It is a transformer machine, not an inverter machine so it needs a solid 60 amps to run at on the 175 setting. It is also prone to overheat at 175. Mine will do about 4 to 6 inches at 175 then shut down...
Ug, if I had only known. The good? It welds great and keeps going and the wires and breaker are ok if I have it set on 150 amps. I can just barely do 1/4 inch aluminum at 150 and thinner stiff is easy. So it does work, I if kept at the 150 amp setting.
I had to pay some one to weld my boat motor mount as it was just far to thick, 3/4", for this welder to handle. I barely was able to get it tacked up, constant over heating shutdowns. Yes is was kinda silly to really expect this machine to do 3/4" but I was planning to try and if it was a fail then have it finish welded by some one else.
I researched this welder, not well enough, before I bought it though and it seems this welder is known for the overheat and shut down thing at full power. If you find one for sale do not pay a lot and consider it a 150 amp machine, NOT 175 as it will not weld for long at 175. If you do not have a 50 amp breaker to run it on, "do not buy" it not even for super cheap.
My buddy up the road who welded my boat motor mount for me has a miller inverter based welder that is just over 200 amps and that welder only requires 30 amps to run at 200 amp setting and it works all day at 200 amps. He took my motor mount to his work and welded it with a 300 amp machine. Just letting you all know in case you come here to research the Lincoln square wave 175 tig welder. The miller Econotig, a much vaunted and highly regarded tig machine is only 150 amps, did you know that? And those commonly sell for 1000 to 1400 and are transformer machines.
So this Lincoln square wave 175 is working well at 150 amps makes it OK but only if you got the power to run it and if you get it cheap, as in well under $1000. I did, so I can probably get my $$ back if I sell it and I probably will then get an inverter based machine.
Any one lives around lower central mi and wants this welder it's yours for 750.00. try before you buy etc. welder with new torch and foot pedal. You can come over, bring some aluminum and weld for 20 minuets and see this is a solid machine as long as you keep what I said in mind and stay at 150 amps.
PS, the only way the welding tips and tricks guy was able to weld this thick of aluminum was 2 things, one he used helium and the most important thing, even though these parts are thicker, overall they are not huge thick parts. So they heat up quickly and the heat allows for a good weld. Do not be fooled into thinking you can weld larger thicker stuff with this machine. But you can weld something smaller and thick as is shown in this video due to heat soak as all that heat can not escape into a large heat sink zone like I had with 12 x 12 x 3/4 plate I tried to weld..
subbed because of the advice on bidding and getting work. also like the welding tips. always looking for the good little tips to make life easier. cheers!
Jody, you're the best. Always look forward to your videos!
Enjoyed the video Jody especially the thoughts on business.
Colin ;-)
Superb close up on the puddle. Cheers!
Thank you for all your tips and tricks. Really, your information,presentation, and thought process are priceless. Yes, I have purchased your DVDs, & Tig finger. Well worth it for the price.
Great Video Jody once again
I just ordered the everlast powerPro 256S, I cant wait to use all those tips and tricks that i have been observing over the last year.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the videos and advice on getting started in business.
I have a lincoln squarewave 275 its a beast at 315amp AC hohoho....
warms your fingers up good and proper !!!
Hey Jody, i really like your advice at the end of the video. Can you maybe do a dedicated video on those subjects? Look forward to the next vid. Take care
@weldingtipsandtricks thanks, i keep subscribing you for long time, but i like those how to count bucks for welding and how to get jobs for welding advices.....very useful, keeps me motivated !
Richard from Slovakia
Thank you very much. I have a 185 amp that just can't cut the mustard on aluminum jobs. I have to break down and come up with the cash for the helium tank and flow meter.
Pre heat goes a long way, if it’s an option.
Yep, i have those days. I had one of those days tuesday when doing 1mm pulsed fusion welds......that was a shit day.
great information, wish i could use it, glad to know how much to charge, always wondered how to figure it. great tip about the helium, i have that same welder, really works great. loved your rotator.
how about set up time and clean up?? in automotive labor times include clean up and putting tools away
Good on pricing guide and anology
Great business talk Jody, another great vid
Thank you for the video, sir
Thanks Jody.
Thank you sir! .. I appreciated watching another clear informative lesson.
Hey Jody I know it's not your kind of thing to do or what you do in your vids but I would really like to see you make a bbq pit it would be cool to see what ideas you have thanks .
awesome videos! im learning so much from you, and the info about pricing jobs and how to pick up work was very helpful thank you!
Good perspective to hear. Thanks Jody
Nice tips on the bidding of work. Thanks again
Great words, why box cutter blades? Is it because it so thin to weld?
You always have good information, GREAT VIDEO Thanks William Orange county, ca.
Jody you are a legend
How does the fillet become so big when the filler is only so small?
i know it's probably frowned upon due to warping, but do you ever preheat your work piece? currently i only have a weld pack 100 to work with, and when welding with stainless wire (.025 or .035) i just can't get enough heat out of it to not have the bead completely out of the work piece, but if i bring the part up to 130-180*F it will lay a pretty decent bead.
very easy explanation...thanks chihuahua, mexico for those simple tips...
Thank you Jody !
Unfortunately, Helium has become very expensive and the suppliers are quite proud of the bottles. Based on my experience, unless you are doing production welding, it is not affordable.
God bless you you sir are a prime example of God's handy work
the little bit qt the end about how much to charge and how to get side work from shops was very helpful
Thanks
would it be worth getting a 200 amp everlast inverter for this kind of work???
In regards to bidding, what about the handling time? The time to clamp it, maybe fab something up? For instance, if the welding is $10 on these, what about the time it takes to set it up in the jig, to clamp them, take them out, set up the positioner, etc? I know these are small, but you still have to account for that?
interesting way you estimated the job , it would make things a lot eazier
wish i could find someone like that here (europe ) it would make estimating the cost for a certain job myself without asking him every time a little eazier and you wouldnt be off too far from the actual price
it only works if youre only doing the welding though
most of the time they allso want you to dress all the pieces and maibe even grind them smooth afterwards
i been stung quite a few times asking companies to do a small job for me
one of them was drilling 2 12mm holes intoo doubled box sections that slid intoo eachother , the handdrill i had was too small for the job and it was a simple job only 15 minutes tops but they charged me 50 euro for it when it was done
a drillpress thats big enough to drill those holes at home cost about 100 euro new and 10 euro for the drillbit , so thats wat i did the next time and used it since
it made me weary about just giving out the job without asking the exact price or go on a hourly rate and do some searching on wat the materials cost to do the job myself and maibe get some tools and save some money
If this was steel or stainless would you need helium at 1/2 material with 210 amp max on the millermatic 220?
Humm, helium has high heat conductivity, maybe that's what boosts performance, cool.
Thanks for sharing with us Jody, great information. 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Do you think it is more economical to buy a separate bottle of helium or buy a mixed gas cylinder. We usually use a 75-25 mix at work but that seems like a lot of helium.
I'm thinking of building a cruising Trimaran from 6mm - 15mm Aluminum plate and am doing a bit of research because I have never welded anything. I have been watching your videos and am getting an idea of what it will take. Just wanted to say I appreciate you sharing your experience.
Thanks Jody
I’m a refrigeration tech.. I charge 170 per hour labor. 65 truck fee and a parts fee.. don’t be afraid to charge a customer! If they could do it they wouldn’t have hired you 😊
not bad for a Lincoln tig175 you make is look so easy haha!!!.
What a positioner like this cost
thanks man just in my 1st month of welding class's this is helpful gunna keep watchin more n gunna drop them comments Gj
Well done on the post very informative and in focus thank you.
Great video......... so what GTAW machine would you recommend for someone who wants to do some light to medium welding of ferrous and non ferrous metals at home and maybe some side-work? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could you tell me the diameter of the holes on your stronghand table with a digital caliper? Are they 16mm or 5/8" (.625")?
Just curious on what your power supply is for the 175. I have one myself and I now have the option to run it on 240V or 415V. What is your opinion on this ?
Thanks for all your video's filled with your welding knowledge. I'm new to tig welding and have a Lincoln precision tig 185. Have you ever used one or what are you thought about this machine. Thanks, Duane
MrMxrider65 I have not had a chance to use a precision tig 185 . it looks similar to the 175 but with AC balance, pulse, and post flow. AC balance is a great feature to have
Thanks!
That was some beautiful Welding nice job !!!!
jody could u do video of how to back gauge / scarfing?