Donair
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Large, with the works
Posts: 306
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Post by Donair on Feb 9, 2006 8:22:56 GMT -4
Howdy.
A guy I work with is looking to find out about welding aluminum. He has a MIG @ home (Lincoln 110 from Canadian Tire, I think) and has always done gas less resin core type of welding with steel. He knows that his welder will take gas but has never used that function and isn't sure what's needed to weld say, some channel aluminum.
Any pointers?
Thanks, Mike
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NW
Jeeper
Posts: 207
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Post by NW on Feb 9, 2006 10:22:01 GMT -4
Tell him to take his Mig Pak 10 into praxair, and explain to the guy at the counter that he needs a bottle ($100), a gas conversion kit ($120) and a roll of aluminum wire ($50). They should stock this stuff, if not an order can be placed. Get some practice aluminum!!!!
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justajeep
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Valley - VP
Bear River, NS
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Post by justajeep on Feb 9, 2006 10:51:10 GMT -4
Also going to meed a different tip and argon gas (that won't work with steel welding). I think the aluminium wire needs a different liner in the hose too.
He's not going to be able to weld very thick aluminium with that welder either. Best way to weld aluminium with a mig is with a spool gun. They are about $1000 and I doubt you if one would work on a little mig anyway.
Welding aluminium is a pretty costly thing for the home builder to get into. My 175 amp stick/tig welder is about a $2500 machine now, and it can't weld much thicker than 1/4" alum.
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MudMagnet
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heckler
covering Cape Breton, one Rock at a time!!!
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Post by MudMagnet on Feb 9, 2006 11:56:13 GMT -4
you will need aragon gas.....NO CO2, co2 will not work well at all..... and you can buy the little 1 or 2lb spools of alum wire at crappy tire for about 20$....as for the tip, you can get tips for steel, just alum, or a combination of both.... i was going to try it once but my buddy got a 600volt spool gun so i don't need a 110volt anymore ;D same with steel, all i do is tack it with my 110 and then go over the shop and play with the 600 volt gear...
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maddog
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NAVY
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Post by maddog on Feb 9, 2006 12:06:10 GMT -4
for the wire not to overheat in the liner you would need to go to a .45 size wire. so you would need to change the liner for sure. using a MIG to weld aluminum is real tricky, i prefer use the TIG to weld aluminum. we got one of those aluminum mig gun at work and i just can't stand using it. it take to much time to set up and adjust and they don't wort that great.
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Post by DamnJeep on Feb 9, 2006 18:51:34 GMT -4
Check the specs on the machine and I am sure you will find that it is not recommended for use with aluminum.
A 175 is marginal. Higher amperage machines are better.
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Sandboxcowboy
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Oh yes, please tell me how deep that mud puddle was in beaver bank.....
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Post by Sandboxcowboy on Feb 10, 2006 18:19:14 GMT -4
our 185 tig/stick is small for welding anything thicker than 1/4". Even at that, ya gotta go slow and be careful! Use proper aluminum discs for cutting also, i had pcs of steel and crap in my welds last week from reg grinding disc and it looked like crap, had to gouge back out and redo! Justin
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Donair
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Large, with the works
Posts: 306
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Post by Donair on Feb 13, 2006 8:05:51 GMT -4
Thanks fellas.
I'll pass this on.
Mike
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