Had to clean up some stuff on my boxing plates for the '36 today, did pretty good for a rookie.

Hoping to try it out on sme Al. soon...originally I thought my setup was a "scratch" start, but have learned that as long as the electrode is clean and sharp and the gas flow is high enough, she fires off well before touching the material.

I even learned how to hold the torch today, so as not to melt my hand

What would be nice though is a pedal control for amperage, but as long as I'm sticking with the same type material, I think it'll be fine.

I do have a lot to learn though, but am amazed at my progress to this point, I always thought TIG/HELIARC was a black art, but I'm soon finding out it's do-able.

Bottom line is if you find a decent deal on a 3 in 1 machine like I did (TIG/MIG/Stick), jump on it, IIRC I paid 300 for this setup, the MIG works pretty good when I testing it out a few years ago...probably weld good to 3/16th to 1/4inch, and the TIG is treating me just well, haven't tried the stick yet...but I never was very good with an ARC welder anyways.

Mine unit is a "DipStick 160", for reference, it does have a high frequecy box on it (needed for Aluminum I gather) and the HF box looks like a factory thing, not an add-on.

 

TIG makes some real nice lookin welds too!

 

Yes, they do make a nice weld...something you don't mind leaving.

I did get a few pin holes here and there, spoke with a buddy today and he's prett sure it was from contamination...since the holes formed behind the weld puddle.

He told me to use less heat and go slower, I'll give it another shot once I flip the frame to do the bottom side...guess I should have started on the bottom first, eh?

 

And when you are done with that I have a truck here that could use some serious welding! Give you hours and hours of practice.