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More from Frank Armao
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: What to know when changing shielding gas with pulsed GMAW
- By Frank Armao
- May 12, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: Recently I bought a new high-end pulsing power supply, which has different modes for all of the common materials and wire diameters. I was getting great results with 3/64-in. 5356 wire and 100 percent argon shielding gas. When I changed to a mixture of 70 percent argon/30 percent helium, the arc...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Matching filler alloys with A356 aluminum
- By Frank Armao
- Mar 16, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Need to do welding on A356 aluminum castings? The experts at FMA explain what filler alloys you should use when welding A356 aluminum. Learn more here.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Why it’s so hard to weld anodized aluminum
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 20, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: I bought some anodized 6061-T6 tubing to make a structural framework and I’m having trouble welding it. The welds are black and ugly. Can you help? A: I think I can help. First, it would be helpful to explain what anodizing is. Anodizing is a reverse plating operation of sorts in which the...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Welding 6061-T6 without filler metal; choosing shielding gas for GMAW
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 6, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: I’m trying to use gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) without filler metal to join 6061-T6, and almost every weld I make cracks. What’s going on? A: A common aluminum alloy, 6061-T6 is welded every day, so we assume it must be easy to weld. Unfortunately, it isn’t. In fact, 6061 and the other...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Welding Extruded Aluminum
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 6, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Our experts answer questions about welding anodized aluminum involving anodized 6061-T6 extruded tubing 7075 series aluminum welds. Learn more here.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Choosing an aluminum alloy
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 5, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: I have a project I want to build from aluminum sheet and extrusions. Some of my friends tell me to make it entirely from 6061-T6. Other tell me to use other alloys, mostly 5000 series. The project entails a lot of welding. Which alloy should I use? A: Without knowing more details about your...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: What is cast and helix?
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 5, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
What are cast and helix? Find out how cast and helix are two separate attributes of spooled wires intended for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and more.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Understanding AC and HAZ ‘cracks’
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 2, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: I know that when aluminum alloys are gas tungsten arc-welded (GTAW), usually we use alternating current (AC) because it give some sort of cleaning action. Can you explain what it is and how it works? A: Sure, let’s try. But before I start, let me admit that this explanation is a bit of a...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Defining arc rectification
- By Frank Armao
- Jan 2, 2015
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: Sometimes when I’m AC gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) aluminum, the arc will start to flutter for a while. I can see it and hear it. Usually it goes away after a few seconds. What’s going on? A: First of all, the good news is that you’re not imagining it. This phenomenon is fairly common...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Using 4043 versus 4047 filler wire
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 30, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Q: I usually use 4043 filler wire for welding 6061-T6 and castings. My friend told me I should switch to 4047 because it’s stronger. Is that true? It’s more expensive than 4043. Is it worth it? A: As you know, 4043 and 5356 are the most common aluminum filler alloys. In fact, these two alloys...
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: How to prep aluminum for welding
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 29, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Frank Armao answers a question regarding the best way to clean aluminum before welding.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Fabricating aluminum planters
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 29, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Have a question about fabricating aluminum planters? Frank Armao explains what aluminum and fillers to use when welding plant boxes. Find out more here.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Tensile Testing Welding for 6061-T6
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 26, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
FMA's experts answer a question about passing the tensile tests for procedure qualification of aluminum alloy 6061-T6. Learn more about passing tensile tests.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Arc welding aluminum with other processes
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 26, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
We answer subscriber questions about arc welding aluminum including processes like SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and stick welding aluminum. Learn more here.
- From The Welder
Aluminum Workshop: Arc blow when welding aluminum
- By Frank Armao
- Dec 24, 2014
- Aluminum Welding
- Article
Is it possible to encounter arc blow when welding aluminum? Frank Armao explains why it's possible though arc blow often occurs with magnetic materials.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/30/2024
- Running Time:
- 53:00
Seth Feldman of Iowa-based Wertzbaugher Services joins The Fabricator Podcast to offer his take as a Gen Zer...
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- Upcoming Webcasts
Navigating Change: The Manufacturer’s Guide to Change Management with ERP Implementation
- May 16, 2024
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Managing Dangerous Dusts from Metalworking
- June 26, 2024
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