New To TIG welding

First Post Here

I am new to welding but I have a project that I would like to do in the spring. which is to build myself a motorcycle trailer. I originally started out with the notion of doing it entirely with my MillerMatic 180 with autoset. The trailer will be made out of aluminum. I have been researching construction methods etc... Does anyone here know of a good spot to find out the correct joining methodology for aluminum? Or any good aluminum trailer plans?

Also, I have been taking classes and have really been liking the TIG machine. So much that I got one off the internet. It is one of the Chineese jobs with 250 Amp AC/DC/Pulse TIG, 250 Amp stick and 55 amp plasma cutter for around $1200. If anyone is interested, I'll give a blow by blow account of how it works, bearing in mind that I am pretty new to this. I will have about 80 hours in class time by this november - I am taking 4 nights a week

- and am slated for the 40 hour Lincoln electric school this January.

DanG

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DanG
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Reply to
Ernie Leimkuhler

More than the welding technology, you need to look carefully into strength of materials and fatigue considerations. Lightly loaded steel structures do not experience fatigue, but all aluminum structures undergo fatigue. With the vibration and occasional punishing bumps a trailer gets, you have to take this into account. You also need to pay careful attention to welding technology (mostly the filler metal) so as to avoid cracking.

TIG is a good technology for welding aluminum, I don't know MIG, but have heard horror stories of visually beautiful MIG welds with no strength. That is supposed to be less likely with TIG. You can tell whether you got penetration into the parent metal or not.

Jon

Reply to
Jon Elson

Jon Elson wrote in news:G_Wdnde2wapJR5nUnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

Well, I am learning learning learning, I must say that I am having a great time with this. It took me almost 6 hours before I got my first good stick weld. It took me another 6 hours to get my Oxy stuff where I could use it on thin and thick metals. I think that with TIG, that the learning will go forever until I can get some good welds. I am only weldig aluminum. Took me 12 hours to get some good welds on thick to thin materials. Like learning to ride my Harley, sometimes it takes a bit to catch up with where you were yesterday and get onto where you want to be tomorrow.

I like the process and the control that I can get with TIG. The only problem that I have is that I need a ton more of practice. Seems like I start off crappy at the start of each evening and about an hour towards the end I get into the goove and it seems as if I can weld anything together.

Anyhow, for those who are interested, the saga of the Chineese knockoff will start this tuesday when it is delivered. I will be setting it up and taking pictures for those who are interested. Moer to follow....

Reply to
DanG

DanG wrote in news:Xns9B43BB870E8F1ddvghotmailcom@216.151.153.22:

The Argon regulator has arrived, but no welder as yet. I will start posting photos at:

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Reply to
DanG

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