TIG welding amperage requirements

[michael_e]

I'm looking at getting a TIG welder in order to weld aluminum. The material will be mostly in structural tube and bar stock with thicknesses of 1/2" and under...mostly 1/4" and 3/16", though I do plan to weld tabs to thicker materials occasionally. The big question here is can I get away with one of the TIG welders producing amperages of 160 - 200 amps by using multiple passes on short welds,( say a 2" long x 1/4" thick tab), to thicker materials, (say 1" thick) plate ?

[Supe]

If its a routine thing, you may be money ahead to just buy a TIG unit with higher output from the get go. Between the time you'll take preheating and the tanks of helium you'll be buying...

[David R]

I have an arcmaster 185. 1/4" plate is about as big as it goes. That is with wave balance around 25%, 25 Hz. A water cooled torch would be good for you.

David

[zapster]

You need a 300 amp watercooled machine and a gas mixer...

Then you'll be all set..

...zap!

[FusionKing]

That just depends on how big that 1'' plate is...you was doing pretty good until you mentioned that part. A couple sqare feet? If it was a regular thing then you're gonna need something bigger but for just a one time project a little pre-heat can go a long way (altho myself I just blast it with a ton of power when 200 amps ain't cuttin' it!!)
I just got a 200 Dynasty and I will say it does amaze me so far..I looks like it'll do 90% of my mobile biz.

[chopper5]

what ZAP said ,and even if you dont get a 300 amp'er 5min of tiging
with the machine maxed out and you'll beg for a water cooler torch

[o.c.d.]

No matter what get a cooler for the torch, your hand and the torch will appreciate it!! Aluminum takes A LOT of heat.

[michael_e]

Thanks for the help ! I think that the 1" plate is definitely out, I'll just stick with bolted connections on that material. A water cooled torch would be neat, but I think that I'll just have to see how much of this I end up doing. I'll post some pic's when I get this going.

[pulser]

Originally Posted by Supe

If its a routine thing, you may be money ahead to just buy a TIG unit with higher output from the get go. Between the time you'll take preheating and the tanks of helium you'll be buying...

As mentioned here, don't forget that DCEN with Helium can help a ton when welding heavier gauge aluminum.