the DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO TIG WELDING BALANCE -How to TIG weld aluminum

One of the MOST CONFUSING things that I couldn't understand when I first started to learn TIG welding was the subject of BALANCE. So LETS MAKE THIS SIMPLE and break this down for some people getting into TIG welding. This is a subject I'm STILL experimenting with and learning about, so grab a coffee and come hang for this one, this is gonna be AWESOME🔥

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[johnmoriarty]

This is the best content for aluminum Tig welding on the planet.

[terryjones]

Your the best man. I’ve been tig welding aluminum for 30 years and watching your videos helps me so dang much. You have uped my game.

[fairwind]

These videos are great for fixing brain cramps and bad habits! Something I forget the basic’s and get frustrated, these videos are so clear and to the point of problem and correction. Thanks for posting!👍🏻

[Krishell]

Your videos have been helping me a lot the last days. Thanks for helping people

[paulkurilecz]

One way of looking at it is that only a certain amount of energy is needed for the EP portion of the cycle to clean/deoxidize the aluminum surface. So as the total energy goes up, a smaller proportion of the total energy is needed for the cleaning action. So as your amperage setting goes up, increase the EN portion (or decrease the EP portion). I have noticed this and it is not dramatic but at 150 A, I generally only need about 80% EN, but when I drop down to around 80 A, 70% EN seems to work best for me.

Great video and explanation.

[adambergendorff]

I know others have done how to ball the tungsten, but I wish you would do one. I have never been able to get them to look as clean and perfect as the one ones you show. I have also played around with balance a great deal but still haven't been able to get the tungsten to last as long as I think it should. Thanks Adam

[fusser]

Great explanation of balance. Been running a 1974 Miller 330a/bp for about 4-5 years now. Just picked up a miller syncrowave 250 with water cooler and all used for $1000 out the door. I cant wait to get it hooked up and running.

[tollcollector]

Dusty, this was such a great subject to talk about. I've been struggling with my tungsten deforming. Never thought of adjust balance. Next subject.... HERTZ adjustments for the width of the toes of the weld puddle would be great to also learn more about. Thank you!

[awittypilot]

Probably the best tig video I have ever seen....I'm an aircraft mechanic and did not know about this. I can't wait to fire up the machine! Thanks!

[occasionalmachinist]

Great video - has explained things I've been wondering about for years

[timblack]

It seems like everyone on here has released an AC balance video in the last few weeks. Yours is by far the best.

[georgethoman]

Im so glad to get a great explanation of the balance setting helped me out greatly.

[melgross]

Yeah, I agree. It’s what I said in my last post. It’s not so much the percentage, but the actual power going into the tip. This is the problem with older transformer machines.

[baysandclays]

Recently had a period of time where all I welded was 1/8” thick material. I used a #5 cup with 3/32” tungsten and cleaning at 25%. Amperage was less than 150 amps. Then I had a run of 3/16” material. I switched to #8 gas lens with 1/8” tungsten. Stuck with 25% cleaning, but needed 200 amps. I got the nodules you showed in the video. The welding was good so I stuck with it and just changed tungsten more frequently. I played with gas flow a little, but never though to try a lower percent of cleaning, because I was having enough success to finish the project, but this tip may have made it even better and maybe faster due to less tungsten changes. I guess you could say I got into the rut because it was good enough but the whole time I was thinking how did this happen with #8 gas lens and not the #5 standard cup.

[jeffreylynch]

A thousand years ago we prepped the tungsten by hitting a hard piece of copper at high heat to ball it.

[charliespann]

Another great video. I listened to your small rant. Dude there are haters out there. Just ask them if the work for free. Don't give away youy welding classes. People will be glad to pay for them and their people that won't. There's nothing you can do about. You have one of the best welding sites on YouTube . Hatere's are going to hate. Deal with people that want to learn. I have been TIG welding for 40 years on aircraft. I have learned a lot from you channel. Thanks Pay it forward brother.

[brianhoefer]

The first tig machine I ever used was an old old Hobart . With a 25 gal water cooling system, the entire machine was the size of a Smart Car.

[timmallard]

You just keep knocking it out of the park with these tips!

[taiwanluthiers]

I find Welding Tips and Tricks more helpful with beginners, especially working with limited materials.

But this video is helpful to explain why my tungsten starts to go to crap once I start welding AC. Probably I have the AC balance too high. I only have thick blocks of scrap from a CNC machine operator, so I usually must weld at very high current. The torch also gets HOT when you weld too unless you are using water cooled. Next time I'll try using lower AC balance and raise them as necessary. Often those big blocks I have to preheat them, or maybe just start a bead somewhere on the metal, and let the welder heat it up, then I can back off the current. Weld has ended up looking better as a result.

[damioncullers]

Man I’m excited to try this out! I commonly have incredibly thick aluminum to weld, I used a 75/25 helium argon mix around 275 amps. Even with 1/8th tungsten I’ve had this issue ALL DAY. If this works I’ll be stoked ! Appreciate your advice !