Welding help

[mikekingaz]

New to the site but enjoying all the info. I just sold my tig welder because I never used it and now I find myself wanting to do a sand car body out of aluminum panels. I have a mig but it is not AC.

So would it be easier to learn to weld thin aluminum using a tig or gas welding it. I see the welding/cutting torch sets designed for welding?

Any insight?

[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by mikekingaz

New to the site but enjoying all the info. I just sold my tig welder because I never used it and now I find myself wanting to do a sand car body out of aluminum panels. I have a mig but it is not AC.

So would it be easier to learn to weld thin aluminum using a tig or gas welding it. I see the welding/cutting torch sets designed for welding?

Any insight?

Hi Mike,
I started on the TIG a long time back, and today I have both the TIG and gas torches. I still weld thin sheet with the torch, but I use TIG and a DC motor-generator to arc weld the thick stuff. For some guys the torch is quick and easy and makes good strong joints. For others, the TIG is easier to hold and dial in -

and the torch doesn't come with a foot pedal.

[lots2learn]

Originally Posted by mikekingaz

New to the site but enjoying all the info. I just sold my tig welder because I never used it and now I find myself wanting to do a sand car body out of aluminum panels. I have a mig but it is not AC.

So would it be easier to learn to weld thin aluminum using a tig or gas welding it. I see the welding/cutting torch sets designed for welding?

Any insight?

I think they are similar in learning as you add rod to the puddle with one hand and torch with the other. I have both, a 350 amp TIG machine and a Oxy torch. For panels I will be shaping from aluminum I will only use the Oxy. Similar to how mig welds in steel do not have the elongation of TIG welds. In Aluminum the tig welds crack much easier and are less homogonous from a shaping standpoint.