Does the Spot Welder TIG Trick Work on Aluminum?

Several viewers asked us if the spot welder trick with a TIG welder, as shown in our previous video, will work on Aluminum. Since Justin has never tried it, but is pretty sure he knows, we're all going to find out together along with a bit of bonus information about autogenous tack welds on aluminum.

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[WeldCoachOfficial]

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[htownblue]

I respect Justin even more because despite knowing a ton, he still isn’t so ego filled that he isn’t open to potentially learning new things. He’s truly an expert in his field.

[ypaulbrown]

I really loved the '3-Arm' technique in the my day seeing that....

[TheUncleRuckus]

Nothing to add just an obligatory algorithm boost for the channel 👍👍

[aidaneckart]

Well when you put it that way... That makes a LOT of sense. Also explains why I struggle at times to tack my aluminum pieces together. I've learned a lot. Now about those pink gloves....

[ypaulbrown]

hey Justin,  
Recently, a very very long time friend, since 1963, was rebuilding a 1960's era Land Rover,
can you say new Aluminum Quarter Panel ent from the UK to the US, way up in West Virginia, I am in Florida
there were places that were impossible to get to while putting the new Quarter Panel in....
I suggested to him that he do MIGMAG [GMAW for the AWS crowd] spot welding....
I had never done this with aluminum, carbon steel yes...long story short, it works,  
but you have to be spot on with the volts, wire speed, and time, your ground/work lead is super critical

and of course, you need to modify your contact tips to be shorter if you do not have the proper nozzle ...
he did not, as he is using a 1970's era Linde CV machine, [we don't need no stinking inverters]
in the past, he had drilled a Gazillion holes and Rosetted them, and the blending was very tedious,
my Pal love beating himself up on these old Land Rovers and Jags....you know the type...
anyway, I did the initial testing, and we shot photos back and forth, we used 4043 and of course
100%
Hope this may help some of your Brown in Orlando

[Garage]

I'm glad you tried it with filler as well, as that was my next question. I'd assume another issue with this technique is that the shielding gas can't get between the two layers. That means the lower layer will be instantly oxidizing as you're trying to weld it, leading to that crap weld quality and no bond strength. Oh... I just got to the end of the video where you say this. You covered it better including discussing the arc breaking through the oxide layer though. Good stuff!

[griftopherhitchens]

I really appreciate these lessons. Thank you Justin!

[paulnewton]

I did guess this is why before you stared. So thanks for your previous teachings. Something has sunk in.

[ypaulbrown]

Your '3-Arm' Technique was the 'Bomb'....go grab a cold one on me....Paulie

[keithlanning]

On stell if when you tear the tabs apart it should tear about a 6mm hole out of the back side of the second weldbtab to pass a I Car welding test in the Auto body industry. We do millions of plug welds every year in our industry. Hope this may give some good share knowledge. Thanks for all you do for us.

[BrandonLund]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I love working with aluminum.

[AGLNET]

It showed exactly what i was thinking it would. Great test...

[seannyoday]

Has anyone asked about the pink gloves yet??? Hmmm. I think inquiring minds would like to know about the pink gloves.
Lol. Please tell us about the pink gloves…. Love all the videos thank you for all the content you provide us with.

[danielsplayhouse]

That right there was a good explanation for the aluminum to describe the oxide layer. It was a good experiment too with aluminum that's the best in depth exercise I have

[ypaulbrown]

4:15 as John Candy and Joe Flaherty from SCTV would say,
'That Blowed Up Real Good'

[jimzivny]

This was very interesting, best explanation I've heard.

[keithlanning]

Thank you for sharing your talents and skills.

[johnjelinek-gb]

Thanks Justin, It's been awhile, must be a busy bee . :)

[russtuff]

Very cool. For fun you could also run some tests with various alloys. 2xxx, 5xxx, 7xxx?