MIG pushing aluminum wire

[cuervo]

I welded up a car hauler for a friend a long time ago. I was having the same issue as you. Get the tip too close the pool and it would make a pop and ruin the tip. I ask one of the guys at the supply place about it and he said speed the wire up a bit and use a greater stand off range. So I started spooling at about an inch or more stand off and it great reduced the number of tip failures.

 

[ktmoutfront]

It is getting better, Getting 20 of these beads before a rats nest. Increased the wire speed from 240 to 260 on Cuervo's advise. That helped a little. Then I turn the voltage down from 20 19. Huge difference.

 

[cuervo]

Looking good!

 

[runamok151]

I've welded Al a couple times w/ my 120v Lincoln 135. Just needed .035 so it would push through and I have a pad w/ lube on it before it goes into the liner. They were only two small patch jobs so I don't know how it would have done w/ a lot of welding on a bigger project.

 

[cuervo]

I had a kid that work for me after he joined the Army. Before that he did welding. He said in school they would practice TIG welding two aluminum cans together without blowing it out.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Update.

Blew $1100 on the adapter for the 255 and a Magnum spool gun.

Burned out 2 tips getting the settings right. Why did I evenscrew with pushing the wire.

Now if the snow would quit, I could get back to work.