TIG welding aluminum

Jon Danniken · 2008-05-05T02:09:36+00:00

Howdy,The design of my footpedal current-controlled DC TIG welder is coming along smoothly, but it has brought me to a crossroads.It has come to my attention that welding aluminum with DC is best to be avoided (I am guessing due to the need to get through the oxide layer), and so far I am only designing a provision for foot control of DC current (the current control is via a thyristor bridge after the AC transformer).Here's my question: this project will have a (low current) HF/HV arc starting module. If I leave this on while welding with DC, will that, superimposed on top of the DC current, be of any significant help with welding aluminum?Thanks for any insight into this issue,Jon