1957B61Vt Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Hi fellasLooking for advice on welding aluminum with migI have never tried it .Just got miller spoolmate 100 hooks up to my miller 211Lookin for some pointers so I have an idea when I try to use itHave welded lots with mig on mild steel no experience with aluminumThanks Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
theakerstwo Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Practice makes perfect.Lots of practice.My self I like TIG 1 Quote glenn akers Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255108 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957B61Vt Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Never tried tigBut have access to oneMy uncle was going to work on tig with meBut he has Alzheimer's pretty bad so I will need to learn It the hard way He just can't do it anymoreHe sits and watches while I work on the b in his garage Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255112 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 You need the right gas. The typical 25% argon 75% co2 is wrong. Its 100% of one of them. Ask your welding gas supplier. The aluminum being welded must be clean to the point where there is none of the dull grey aluminum oxide or any other impurity, dirt or grease etc. That's all I know. There was a good tech tip on "Extreme 4x4" on TV where he demonstrates basic welding types, gun positions and techniques. I think you can find it on line but not sure.Good luck Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
smorse54 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 You'll need 100 % argon. The aluminun has to be spotless clean on both sides, just like soldering. You use 5356 wire for strength, 4043 for a smoother look where strenght isn't as critical.You push the weld as apposed to pullin with steel. As stated,practice makes perfect. Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TozziWelding Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Your going to be pushing that little 211 pretty hard, 1/4" and your at the upper end of your power, no matter how hard you squeeze the trigger it won't get any hotter. I run 100% argon, but you can get more use of your amps with a helium blend. Practice practice practice, and you can get some nice welds with a spool gun. Me I am a TIG snob....... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255142 Share on other sites More sharing options...
leversole Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 TIP-Get a nice stainless wire brush and NEVER brush any steel with it! Use this to clean the aluminum! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TozziWelding Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Yes, clean, clean, clean, stainless steel wire brush only used for aluminum and a wipe with acetone to remove any grease or oil.........never use brake parts cleaner,,,,,IT TURNS TO PHOSGENE GAS AND WILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back In Black Pulling Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 No expert welder but when i have to do it at work have to double wire speed for Aluminum Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 There are lots of good welding tutorial videos on youtube. Granted it does not make up for practicing the real thing with your own two hands but it's a start to get your brain wrapped around what's involved. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Listen to FWD. That's how he learned the building codes and how to do inspections. 1 Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255244 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 You need the right gas. The typical 25% argon 75% co2 is wrong. Its 100% of one of them. Ask your welding gas supplier. The aluminum being welded must be clean to the point where there is none of the dull grey aluminum oxide or any other impurity, dirt or grease etc. That's all I know. There was a good tech tip on "Extreme 4x4" on TV where he demonstrates basic welding types, gun positions and techniques. I think you can find it on line but not sure.Good luckThat's about all I know, but it's true about the clean part. I worked at a place that made aluminum trailers, and one advantage was that the aluminum was new, but we still cleaned everything before welding. We used wire brushes with stainless steel bristles on them, and put the grinder to anything that was old or really dirty before welding. Best I remember we used argon gas, had Hobart welders. I worked there from '77 to '79, so it's been a while... Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255245 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 That's about all I know, but it's true about the clean part. I worked at a place that made aluminum trailers, and one advantage was that the aluminum was new, but we still cleaned everything before welding. We used wire brushes with stainless steel bristles on them, and put the grinder to anything that was old or really dirty before welding. Best I remember we used argon gas, had Hobart welders. I worked there from '77 to '79, so it's been a while...I didn't know they had welders in 1877????? Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I didn't know they had welders in 1877?????They did indeed. The guy I worked for claimed to be a direct descendent of Fred Flintstone. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957B61Vt Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Thank you allFor all the advice might get to try it out this weekend on some 1/8" Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36575-welding-aluminum-with-mig/#findComment-255267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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