TIG Welding Aluminum Resource

[motobilt]

I have been TIG welding aluminum for many years. It is one of my favorite things to weld. We hire people all the time who want to learn more about it. I own two different businesses and often find myself just managing the chaos each day. I wish I had more time to sit with people and work with them on technique.

A few weeks back I came across www.6061.com which is a tutorial based website. I do not know who owns and I am not being paid or otherwise compensated to post about this website. I was a little reluctant to pay the fee to gain access to all of the info on the website. I went ahead with it. I thought if one or two people within our companies could learn a little it would be worth it.

I was presently surprised by the information. The website looks like it was built by a novice or built in 1996. Either way the content is still useful. If you are interested in learning more about welding aluminum I would recommend checking it out.

-Dan

 

[sweetk30]

also check out Mr.tig on youtube . he is a good simple talks to you not at you teacher .

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Link saved for when I have time.
Thanks.

 

[racingtadpole]

6061 has video content on YouTube. Definitely worth a look, there is a higher than average skill base there for sure. In one of the videos there is a metronome ticking away in the background timing the torch and filler movements, the finish is exceptional, and for shits and giggles in another a lump of ally gets carved up with a chain saw then welded back together.

 

[kkroger]

He does pretty good work, the YouTube videos that are open to view (not for pay) have no audio. I can make no claim on the for pay videos... but I am told by others that he puts a video up on You Tube for a while free then takes it down and puts it on the pay site. don't know if that is true or not but he definitely has skills.

 

[motobilt]

I paid to give some of our employees access. They video content is great in my opinion. The price is cheap in my opinion if one of my guys can elevate there game.

 

[GarageGuy89]

We hire people all the time who want to learn more about it. I own two different businesses and often find myself just managing the chaos each day. I wish I had more time to sit with people and work with them on technique.

Story of my life...I am on the construction side and I'm not affiliated with welding at all. We hire people that know nothing about the "industry" they are working in. 50% of the time they quit once we've dealt with them long enough to get them up to speed to actually be profitable.

 

[kkroger]

Story of my life...I am on the construction side and I'm not affiliated with welding at all. We hire people that know nothing about the "industry" they are working in. 50% of the time they quit once we've dealt with them long enough to get them up to speed to actually be profitable.

Yep, They get hired cheap, put time into them teach them a skill that they then use to get hired elsewhere, Teach them to weld, or whatever, and then they go and get certified (usually on my dime) then they go get a job elsewhere for more money and I have to start again. but they didn't know jack when they started, they learn, welding, CAD/CAM, Powder Coating, General Fabrication etc and then bail...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Story of my life...I am on the construction side and I'm not affiliated with welding at all. We hire people that know nothing about the "industry" they are working in. 50% of the time they quit once we've dealt with them long enough to get them up to speed to actually be profitable.

Yep, They get hired cheap, put time into them teach them a skill that they then use to get hired elsewhere, Teach them to weld, or whatever, and then they go and get certified (usually on my dime) then they go get a job elsewhere for more money and I have to start again. but they didn't know jack when they started, they learn, welding, CAD/CAM, Powder Coating, General Fabrication etc and then bail...

Perhaps you need to up the wage to industry normal after they get their certs? Let them know they are expected to stick around if you pay for their learning?

 

[kkroger]

That kind of works to an extent, they don't care though, to be honest all they want to do is get the certs and leave... it isn't HARD work either in fact it is pretty easy. I can't pay them aerospace salary Had one that didn't do anything to speak of around the place, hands didn't fit a broom or anything... wouldn't do what he was told, demanded MORE MONEY, told him to pound sand.... Well I left a job making more than this! was his response...

 

[Htscheg]

Thanks for the information!

 

[sanddan]

I found him on youtube and later paid the $45 to access his site (first time I've ever done that). Money well spent in this case. There is a wealth of information in his videos. I've had a tig welder for at least 15 years but only recently (after studying his and other videos on the web) have been able to weld aluminum with any success. The "through the hood" shots are very helpful as I could see what the puddle should look like and try to get that same result myself.

There is minimal talking in the videos and some clever editing to make them fun to watch and many tips. My only beef is going back later and trying to find a particular tip as they tend to be sprinkled about in the videos. The metronome has helped me get my timing down "dip--move--dip--move", funny but it works.

 

[kkroger]

Something else that helps get better Ripple spacing is to MARK your practice material at first so you MOVE the proper distance each time before you dip, so move/pause/dip Move/pause/dip... the metronome will sure help with speed. I paid for a sub today. So far I like it. I like it a lot, I have better luck with TIG on Stainless and Aluminum than on Mild Steel. I am NEVER too old or stupid to LEARN anything new...