I like that! Less tolerant!! Yep that just about sums it up.....

How about ZERO tolerance!

Of course you don't have to do all the prep.... as long as you're willing to have poopie looking welding. :lol:

Ya I checked in too late I knew the answer, some local philanthropist type told me about the magnet deal when he stopped by the shop on his way to some far away destination :G-Dub:

HAHAHAHAHA! Okay -- we'll give you an honorary 2nd place for good memory retention!:trophy-1302:

Thats strange, I use magnets to hold aluminum panels all the time and I never have problems.

Speaking of gas flow, I switched to a gas lense and my AL welds are much nicer and easier to weld now. I think it has to do with less gas flow and tungsten sticks farther out. Gas is turned way down= tanks last longer.

For any of you beginners,

Jason's (from theGmr) ebook is an awesome guide for $4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BFX...dir_mdp_mobile

Certainly helped me!

Silly wabbit! Everybody knows it's fine to use magnets when TIG welding aluminum, bronze, or brass.



I switched to a gas lens -- the difference is well worth the few bucks in cups etc.


In actual fact this photo is a GAS SAVER lens vs a standard cup -- but it still shows the difference in the gas flow.



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...ING/file-4.jpg

Wow! I haven't switched my tig machine on in six months, but I'm gettin' me some of those lenses! That's pretty impressive.



Jeff-

Out of curiosity what is inducing the turbulence in flow when using the cup? Do lenses have an additional internal structure?

Nice thurredd GW, aka 'Good Welder'. http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...psdd81d3f2.jpg

Gas lens uses a very fine screen etc to smooth out the flow.... and then - of course - none of your current cups will fit it. Typically also the SHAPE of the cups are different.

A couple advantages are smoother gas flow -- and less flow so less wasted gas. Not very important for a home shop - but a shop that welds all day every day will save some money on gas.... as well as they just flat work better.

BUT --- always a big BUTT in there -- it's like golf... if ya can't hit the ball - new clubs aren't suddenly going to have you shooting par. :smiley_smack: