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Posted by Phil on December 21, 2007, 5:06 pm
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You might want to think about what type of projects that you would be
working on , if you plan to build alum. truck bodies or large water tanks
with hundreds of feet of alum. weld then the MIG is your answer , if you
are going to repair small gas engines and put together misc. small projects
then I would think that the TIG process would do best , I had a welding
business for about 20 yrs. and wasn't set up for Alum MIG , only remember
farming out a couple of items to another shop that I couldn't do with the
TIG , the cost and learning time is really moot if the system doesn't work .
Best Wishes , Phil L.
> Need Some Tips on Welding Aluminum
>
> I'm about ready to make a major investment in my hobby. I've tried the
> torch welds stuff, and they are really only suitable for small joins or
> filling small holes. In their defense they do work, but only for those
> things. Becasue of the long time required to heat the metal even with the
> use of a heated iron heat sink the metal expands and contracts too much to
> make long welds with aluminum and stich and fill method don't work as the
> attempts to fill heat and melt the original stich jouns.
>
> Anyway. I'm about ready to shell out big bucks for a decent MIG welder to
> try my hand. After reading much about welding and playing with my cheap
> MIG welder I've decided there are a couple questions I have.
>
> I have heard there is a certain filter or special filter for my mask that
> allows you to see the conditions when your puddle is about to fall or melt
> out on you. What is that?
>
> What is the best inert gas to use when welding 5000 or 6000 series
> aluminum?
>
> What is the best wire to order?
>
> Vertical work may be involved in the project(s) I have planned. I hope to
> lay most of it out to avoid any overhead work.
>
> Tentatively I have decided on a Hobart IronMan 250 with a spool gun for my
> aluminum. I figured I would only use my spool gun for aluminum work and
> switch back to the regular nozzle for any steel work, or if its small work
> just use the small cheap MIG I already have for that.
>
> Yes, I have read that TIG welding is often more affordable and easy to
> learn for welding aluminum, but I would prefer to take the time to learn
> how to use a MIG welder for this as some of the projects I have in mind
> will require some very long continuous welds.
>
> I've got a pile of assorted aluminum scrap to practice on.
>
>
> --
> Bob La Londe
> Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
> Fishing Forums & Contests
> http://www.YumaBassMan.com
>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>
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>
> I'm about ready to make a major investment in my hobby. I've tried the
> torch welds stuff, and they are really only suitable for small joins or
> filling small holes. In their defense they do work, but only for those
> things. Becasue of the long time required to heat the metal even with the
> use of a heated iron heat sink the metal expands and contracts too much to
> make long welds with aluminum and stich and fill method don't work as the
> attempts to fill heat and melt the original stich jouns.
>
> Anyway. I'm about ready to shell out big bucks for a decent MIG welder to
> try my hand. After reading much about welding and playing with my cheap
> MIG welder I've decided there are a couple questions I have.
>
> I have heard there is a certain filter or special filter for my mask that
> allows you to see the conditions when your puddle is about to fall or melt
> out on you. What is that?
>
> What is the best inert gas to use when welding 5000 or 6000 series
> aluminum?
>
> What is the best wire to order?
>
> Vertical work may be involved in the project(s) I have planned. I hope to
> lay most of it out to avoid any overhead work.
>
> Tentatively I have decided on a Hobart IronMan 250 with a spool gun for my
> aluminum. I figured I would only use my spool gun for aluminum work and
> switch back to the regular nozzle for any steel work, or if its small work
> just use the small cheap MIG I already have for that.
>
> Yes, I have read that TIG welding is often more affordable and easy to
> learn for welding aluminum, but I would prefer to take the time to learn
> how to use a MIG welder for this as some of the projects I have in mind
> will require some very long continuous welds.
>
> I've got a pile of assorted aluminum scrap to practice on.
>
>
> --
> Bob La Londe
> Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
> Fishing Forums & Contests
> http://www.YumaBassMan.com
>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>