Still can’t wrap my head around tacking. If I tack on the very sides I am fine. But if I tack about a millimeter from the side it just burns through. Settings are 120 amps 120hz 3 seconds post flow. 1/16 blue tungsten 1/8 aluminum. And I realize I went too cold in the second pic

I am having an impossible time tack welding. It just burns through. Here are my settings

Started a new job tig welding aluminum for a trailer company. First day and I was shadowing one of the welders. I noticed everyone had zero stickout. I was handed the torch and i immediately began to pull the tungsten out to give me somewhat of a stick-out. They kindly told me to keep it real short. It’s embedded in the cup almost. Like you can even see it unless you point the cup at you. So now I am confused. It’s a reputable company and the welds look on point. Just curious why. I will be in training until I get consistent beads. I still cant wrap my head about heat on open corner joints. Too hot, too cold etc.. They will have me welding the storage component of the trailer/truck body eventually. Not a lot of welding to do on that component. but it’s go to look good.

Hello everybody. So a potential customer gave me a challenging task for my level and since I want to use every opirtunity to learn I accepted. The customer has a mazda 3 with a 1.6 4cyl engine and wants me to build a 4 to 1 header for his car given there is not aftermarket support for his car model. He did shared with me an example of a header that was made in the Philippines and I would like to know how would I go as far as completing this task. @Grant Pratt i know you make exhaust manifolds, sensei should I proceed with his challenge or should I wait before tackling such a complex task at my level? There is no rush from the customers side, so I can take as much time as I want. Equipment I own Primeweld 225x Band saw Digiltal angle finder Single line argon flow meter Grinder and the desire to learn

I have a question regarding tungsten. I do apologize if it has been asked already but did not see it. I know a lot has been mentioned about contamination and we need to have dedicated stainless wire brushes for aluminum and steel. Would it be the same for tungsten? If a tungsten was used on steel can it be used on aluminum as long as it was reground to remove any contaminates?