I am building a 24' x 40' aluminum stage for the church. I tig welded the first section while I waited for the MIG components. Got the installed. As long as I watch the lead, I don't have any issues. But bend it too much, kiss a $6 tip goodbye.
CK5
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MIG pushing aluminum wire
- Thread starter ktmoutfront
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- Mar 12, 2004
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It ain't easy thats for sure
I have always TIG welded aluminum. This is new to me. Trial and error learning is tough. But i now seem to have the hang of it. I have over 800 pieces to weld together. And then it has to fold in half against a wall.
MIGing Al is a learned process for sure. Did a little of it myself at my last shop. Man do you have to feed much faster then steel. But for production welding it's the way to go, just got to get it down and practice. You can make a MIG Aluminum weld look really nice with practise. Lots of practise lol. Post some pics of this big project, would dig seeing it, if you can.
I bought the Miller Spoolmate for $180 when they had it on sale a the local weld shop, thing works pretty good the little I've used it. Except for the first time I used it and I thought I was suppose to switch the polarity, then it didn't work so good! 
I agree, TIG is awesome, but TIG is so slow, especially with me running the TIG.
What MIG are you using? Have you considered a used spoolgun?
I agree, TIG is awesome, but TIG is so slow, especially with me running the TIG.What MIG are you using? Have you considered a used spoolgun?
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I don't know what alloy and size of wire you are running but 3/64 5356 will push better than .035 4043.
We dabbled in this before our shop bought our big TIG machine years back. It was a big pain so we just quit messing with it. Sure it could be done but it was just too touchy.
I could not find 5356 locally. They almost wanted to give away the 4043. Gave me 50% off of if I bought 2 rolls. So I am dealing with it. I could see it being a pain in a production shop. But thats not me. I could not swing the $1600 for a spool gun and the module for my welder.
readymix
3/4 ton status
I can send my 30A with the controller to you in a flat rate box if you would like.
Just mail it back when you are done.
Just mail it back when you are done.
Tempting and thanks for the offer. I will keep this in mind if I run into issues or this becomes a pain.
This is a PDF of what I am building. 40 feet long by 24 feet wide. Folds in the center along the 40 feet length. I hope.
88 legs with 88 caps tig tacked to them.
This is a PDF of what I am building. 40 feet long by 24 feet wide. Folds in the center along the 40 feet length. I hope.
88 legs with 88 caps tig tacked to them.
readymix
3/4 ton status
Let me know. I can have it in the mail same day.
Does this have to be really light I take it? Can't build it out of 2x4s?
As it stands with aluminum and the plywood top, it will be right at 3000 pounds. Needs to fold ouut of the way for sporting events but still be strong enough for a ballet troup to perform on it.
Are you putting bypasses on it?
Not yet. It may have coils so soften the stop when it opens.
I'm wanting to swap my Handler 187 over to do aluminum soon. I need to make up some brackets to mount my ladder rack around the outside of my camper shell. What all did you have to have to do the swap? What I've seen is just using a teflon liner and the 5356 alloy wire. I've also gotta get a 100% Argon tank.
Liner, tips, feed wheels and guides have to be changed. I can not weld anything under 1/8 inch.
I was just sitting here reading7ing up on my Readywelder. Turns out I can run it as a spool gun from my mig machine. Will try that in the AM.
I was just sitting here reading7ing up on my Readywelder. Turns out I can run it as a spool gun from my mig machine. Will try that in the AM.
What welder are you using? Nothing on the Hobart website or in my manual says anything about changing anything but the liner. They say that one size larger tip may help with feeding though. 
Lincoln 255. The wire size is 3/64. The feed guides are plastic for aluminum. Keeps the wire from gaulding. The tips have half of the tip cut off about 1/4 in down to keep the wire from plugging the tip if burn back.
