Learn An Old Timer's Secrets To Mig Weld Aluminum Without A Spoolgun
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- Did you ever wonder how they weld aluminum with a Mig Welder? It can be very difficult, if not impossible. Usually, they use an expensive Spool Gun that is an attachment to a Mig Welder. That allows a welder to get smooth aluminum welds. But, who has that kind of money to spend on a Spool Gun? This video shows how to weld aluminum without any add-ons. With a few tricks and secrets, aluminum can actually be welded with a 110 volt Mig Welder.
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What I have in my kit:
www.amazon.com/shop/stairwayt...
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Some of the items used in this video:
Welding Equipment:
- Lincoln SP125 110 volt Mig Welder (SP125 No longer available, Updated to Lincoln 140): amzn.to/2siRFuh
- Jackson TrueSight II Electronic Welding Insert with Helmet: amzn.to/2y9aZC3
- Lincoln Mig Cart (newer version of mine): amzn.to/2uCohjn
- Vise Grip C-Clamp Welding Clamp: amzn.to/2tIwwhp
- 5356 Aluminum Mig Welding Wire .030": amzn.to/2tICcbp
- Lincoln .035" Contact Tips: amzn.to/2tIBGds
- Argon Gas Cylinder, Empty (20 Cu Ft, Very Small): amzn.to/2tBo6YB
- 4 1/2" DeWalt Electric Angle Grinder: amzn.to/2siUZFL
- Metal File Set: amzn.to/2sywQ2k
- Welding Gloves (size Large): amzn.to/2siWsMh
- Dust Mask/Respirator: amzn.to/2tBEgkK
- Safety Glasses: amzn.to/2tEkHI7
- Foam Ear Plugs: amzn.to/2tBMVUF
Video Equipment used to make this video:
- iPhone 6s: amzn.to/2uCGZr4
- iPhone 6, no longer available as New
or, You Can Upgrade to the iPhone 7 (Unlocked, but not sure what carriers): amzn.to/2siHTsg
- RodeLink Wireless Lavalier Microphone Set: amzn.to/2tIHtje
- Zhyiun Smooth II, 3 Axis Stabilized Gimbal for Smartphones: amzn.to/2tifGCR
- Clamp-on Light Holders/Reflectors: amzn.to/2tEe4FY
- Philips Daylight Balanced LED Flood Bulbs: amzn.to/2tIKv74
- Tripod (One of my favorites): amzn.to/2tC5oQR
- TRRS Male to TRS Single Female 3.5mm Adapter Cable: amzn.to/2tEf10Z
- Joby GorillaPod Focus with Ball Head X, Remote Control and Mounting Kit for Smartphones and Tablets: amzn.to/2tIp4CW
-iStabilizer Smartphone Mount: amzn.to/2uiRn7X
- 2 inexpensive Light Stands (as a kit, to mount the Flood Lights to): amzn.to/2sG0P3n
For Informational Purposes Only. Don't attempt to Mig Weld or do any other type of welding without Certified Welding Training. With or Without that Certified knowledge, welding can be hazardous, and by welding you do so at your own risk.
NEVER open up a welding machine as it can still have dangerous voltage built-up in the electronics.
Whenever changing out consumables on a Mig Welder, first TURN OFF the machine and unplug it, also.
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support! 
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Electrically speaking, a MIG welder is a Constant Voltage (CV) machine. You set the voltage and wire-speed needed, so the voltage remains at the setting. The wire speed and wire stick-out from the contact tip are used to adjust the amperage. This is because those two factors create resistance. We are talking about Ohm's Law here. With the wire speed properly set and the proper amount of stick-out, you should have a good buzzing weld arc. If the arc is popping and spattering you most likely have too much stick-out meaning the arc is too cold, reduced amperage. If the stick-out is too close the weld might be too hot increasing the chance of the weld sagging or melting thru in the aluminum. The stick-out is used by experienced welders to adjust the heat (amps) of the arc as they are welding and require a little more, or a little less heat. MIG welders learn to do this and make the adjustments unconsciously based on what they see and hear. Aluminum requires more heat than steel does for a given thickness of the metal being welded. Going past 1/4" inch thick aluminum I have found it is sometimes advantageous to pre-heat the metal a little. Now, SAFETY!!! For all the safety warnings you listed and went over, You committed the MOTHER OF ALL SAFETY VIOLATIONS!!! NEVER EVER MOVE A HIGH-PRESSURE GAS BOTTLE UNTIL THE SAFETY CAP HAS BEEN PUT ON THE BOTTLE. Even an empty bottle can be a danger to life and limb. As a side-note. A SMAW (STICK) and GTAW (TIG) welding machines are Constant Current (CC). You set the amperage and by adjusting the length of the arc, you vary the heat (Voltage) of the arc. The arc spans an air gap between the electrode and the workpiece. That is the resistance used by Ohm's Law. A close arc reduces the voltage, a longer arc increases the voltage. Hope this all helps with your future welding. I couldn't help but respond as I was a welding instructor before retirement.
wow good info.....
You da man!
Now , how may i TIG Alum with a DC/CC machine, and no high Freq?
Electrode Neg after Balled Tungsten, then?
@@drd1924 As I am sure you know, Tig welding aluminum is accomplished with AC constant current and a balled tungsten tip. Without the surface cleaning action of AC to strip the oxides off the surface of the aluminum, you must clean the surface by grinding or sanding the surface of the aluminum when using DC.
@@OleNavy Thanks, I have used some nice AC Machines such as the Aerowave and Synchrowaves.....but heard about the "ol HeliArc method from back in the day, when guys used DC and Helium....I've tried it with not good results. I like to try and get good at all possible methods such as running E7018 Downhill before Inspectors started to allow it.
This is interesting to read, my MIG can also do stick, the dials are wire speed and current, not voltage. There's a switch to change between MMA and MIG, so I wonder if that changes the function of the current dial between current and voltage. Fairly mid/low end machine to be fair, but it works well enough for me to learn on.
As a thirty year welder with miles of aluminum experience let me give my two cents worth. Many great comments from real welders here. Things you did right: using 5356 wire, using .035 tip.
Other things (repeating some things others have noticed):
Wrong ark length setting and you don't need to set the wire feed to the highest setting, that just causes a hotter, higher amperage weld. MIG machines are set by ark length not amperage. The machine gives whatever amperage is needed to burn the wire to maintain the ark length so faster wire feed means more amperage and hotter weld. If the wire moves faster than the machine's amperage can burn the wire to maintain ark length the wire will just pop, sputter and throw off lots of dingle berries or throw a bird's nest in the drive. Slow the wire to lower amperage and the ark length should be set to where the wire burns smoothly (not popping like welding steel with CO2) into a cone shape where the end of the wire burns about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the parent metal.
Don't wear rings while welding.
It's bird's nest not bird cage.
Don't use WD40 on something you plan on
welding.
Don't start and stop your welds every 1/4 inch, that's just a series of tacks not a real weld and it cause porosity like crazy. Use a piece of clean steel to back up the weld on thin aluminum, don't worry it won't stick.Who uses a file when an angle grinder is available?
The aluminum must be completely clean (sanded clean) half an inch from the weld or the junk on the surface will be pulled into the weld causing lots of porosity.
Do not allow your wire to touch the parent metal when you pull the trigger. Bend or cut it back. If they are touching it's possible for the wire to weld itself to the copper tip if it's not moving when the ark starts, that will start a bird's nest real fast.
Keep the cable as straight as possible, no S curves unless absolutely necessary.
Now that's a good explanation of the key points! I have also experienced that you have to 'lead' your arc puddle on aluminum when doing this type of weld. Should have run a test piece. Enough complaints about the disclaimers - at least this one is in writing and didn't take too much time. But I'd have to say for body shop use and home use I love my Lincoln SP-175 (220 v) model.
Really appreciate your comments scope and relevance. Thanks for the share
straighten the barrel on the gun and push don't pull !
I would also add never ever use brake cleaner to clean metal to be welded. crc brakleen is the worst. it decomposes into phosgene, something you dont want to be around!!....
Let the cleaner dry 1st and it;s ok.But,CRC seems to leave crap for me too,I use Andersens,no problem
1-Clean part with stainless brush.
2- Then clean with acetone.
3- Replace the gun liner with a teflon one.
4- Pre heat the workpiece.
5- Purge residual gas from welder.
6- Tack each end, then weld continuous.
7- Slow down wire speed.
8- Less wire stick out before initiating arc.
Teflon gun liner is a must for alum.
switch it back out when going to steel though as steel wire will cut right through teflon in short order.
I love reading the comments from the welders. I have been tig and mig welding for 40 years. Everyone has their way of welding and aluminum mig takes skill and knowledge. I never used a spool gun for aluminum mig. The bigger tip is key and a clean weld. No need to stitch the weld though run a straight bead and you will have a good weld.
Thanks for the comment! I appreciate good comments from guys who have years of experience like yourself. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video!
@@StairwayToVideo I enjoyed the video and info, but what video editing software do you use? My son is getting into it and it seems like there are alot of choices.
My first welding job was in 1968 and made a lot of mistakes while learning, and was put on a job of welding up holes on bottom of a John Boat with a Tig, it was more than is was able to do, but last time was vertical on 1/4 inch Aluminum, good but not impressive. I wonder what it would be like today, if Migs had not been invented?
Appreciate your tip on the mig technique !
I am paralyzed from my shoulders down, and no longer able to weld,
however have a part-time fabricator that I will be sharing your video with.
Once again,
Thank you sir !
Thank you for taking your time to make this video. I would like to add to Mike Klass's comments. Best tips in the video: 5356, .035 tip for .030 wire, and 100% Argon gas. As for the rest, no need to steamroll a dead horse.
Exactly what I was looking for. Enjoyed the video. By no stretch of anyone's imagination am I a welder but they did sell me the tools and now I have enough information to try it. Thanks!
After viewing many comments, even if your teaching is less than perfect, you got my attention to research this welding aluminum with mig. So for that I thank you
Great informative video. Production quality was on point! Audio was fantastic and was blown away that you recorded everything with your phone. Well done Sir. Hat tip to you.
Regardless of the negative comments I did get a few good tips from your video, at least I have a very starting point for my project so unlike so many comments I read I thank you
Edgar, thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate it!
Through years of experience and a class from national weiders society they said to use rubbing alcohol to clean and if you are going to do a lot of aluminum they make a straight necked gun with pistol type grips like one other party said keep your lead as straight as possible but I highly recommend a spool gun space proved or a push pull gun for high production jobs twenty eight years experience in the field
Yea everyone is a damn pro lol
Thanks for this video. With what you've shown along with some of the other comments from others with experience, I can finally try my hand at welding aluminum with my mig. I've tried the brazing but it's not holding well enough.
I was looking for a way not to have to go buy the expensive spool gun. I have a few years of welding experience but I know aluminum is whole different game.
Interesting point about not wearing a ring during welding (Thanks Mike Klass).
as a welding noob, I would like to thank you for this video. between the video and the comments I have learned a few things that are useful to someone just getting started learning how to weld.
Great to hear! Thanks for commenting!
I heard that you can weld alloy with a mig. This is a good starting block to learn and grow from. Thanks!
Many good comments here. Great advice from Mike Klass. The #1 rule with aluminum is it's GOT to be clean. I worked in my Dad's sheet metal/fab shop for 46 years. He taught me how to weld all types. I never got as good as he was. But great video.
Thanks! It's cool that you got to work with your dad for all of those years! Thanks for commenting!
@@StairwayToVideo thank you. Dad's been gone 3 yrs now but I still use the tricks he taught me. The "old heads" can surprise you every time.
Best vid on this so far Thanks I've stick weld my heavy equipment, Mig weld my tools. Going to now weld alu
Good comments, good old school way of mig welding aluminum IMO. I was going to buy a spool gun but I'm going to try this first. Makes more sense, less $ out the gate, very similar results. Thank you for the knowledge and constructive criticism from everyone! Lotus mig 140 is my tool of choice here.
Just saw this, even though it's a little old. Thanks to Mike Klass for some real good advice beyond the somewhat "busy" video. Lincoln used to offer a teflon liner to be used with aluminum wire to help with the birdnesting . I got one when I got my SP-175 Plus years ago. It really helps the aluminum feed much smoother, but now that I have a TIG, I haven't MIGged aluminum for ages. Might have to try it again for S&G. You really did a poor job of cleaning, as stated many times and an organic respirator is a must( they're cheap, too!).
Wow you have one of the best methods Iv'e seen, thanks for passing the old-timer stuff on!
Thanks for the comment!! Also, thanks for taking the time to watch the video!!
I'm not sure, for read comments from professional aluminum welders. Heard a story of man owned a fiddle, and carried it Avery where he went for 40 yrs but never did learn how to play it?
Great video buddy! Some very helpful tips for anyone needing to weld aluminium (i'm European). Great to see that you make a big deal out of safety, a persons health and safety is not only about avoiding physical injuries, but also environmental impact such as breathing in dust, vapour and irritants over a period of time. Education is the key here and you nailed that bro!!
I visit the USA and Canada frequently and safely is always something that concerns me over there. Our health and safety laws here in Europe are very stringent and for good reason, one example is the fact semi trucks do not need crash bars running the length of them to deflect smaller vehicles and pedestrians away from their wheels! Very dangerous and must account for a massive number of avoidable deaths over there. All lorries in Europe were forced to have deflect bars fitted back in the mid 80's and I think they should be mandatory on every lorry on the planet.
Absolutely love the safety aspect of your video. A good tip with the nozzle diameter. thanks for the insight.
you know what, ive welded with an ally spool in the mig before and its been ok but its moving so fast its very easy to get a tangle up. the larger nozzle and stiffer wire is the best tip ive heard so far, thanks mate.... :¬)
a spool you got out of an ally? don't sound to safe to me..?
Great video ! You got her done and it looks like your son can get his drywall finished now. I have a very old welder ( 220 single phase ) and I'm going to get a bottle of argon and give it a try. Personally I'm not a welder but I had a weld shop in Dachau Germany while in the Army and welded in most every machine shop I ever worked in. I just play with the machine and setting on a piece of scrap until it taste right then i finish cooking it. I could read all those books on it but I'm lazy.
Sounds like you have a lot of welding experience. Thanks for commenting and for watching the video. I appreciate it!
I learned aluminum welding having to weld propellers with stick in 1970. (no leasons) 1972 we bought our first wire feeder for steel. Aluminum wire welders were a nice treat in 1985. Thanks for your nice work from a boat builder and job shop owner.
Thanks for the extra tips on how to. Great info on the weld, I have welded for some time but never knew this stuff on wire and the increase size for the tip. I will be making use of every thing in this video.
For cleaning aluminum use a stainless steel brush that has not been used on steel. When welding aluminum, cleanliness is essential.
Mr2ezgoin ii
Then wipe it down with acetone after using the stainless steel brush.
John Acuff make sure you keep your porcelain electrodes in your back pocket
Keep a dedicated St/St brush for Ali and don't use it on any other non Ali jobs. Great Video and a lot of Pro advice as a result. That meant we all learnt something. That's a win win.
A dilute hydrochloric acid (muriatic) on a piece of rag rubbed onto the welding pieces will give you an ultra pure surface. The key is to start welding immediately, since the oxygen from the air will start oxidizing the surfaces very quickly. Just my 2cents.
The most important for every kind of welding is to keep the parent metals 100% clean and dried. Do not apply any oil, solvents, soap.....if need, apply some heat to burn it, and remove by air pressure with a new wire brush.
Wire feed needs to be synchronized with amperage which depends on thickness and crystal structure of metals.
This is nice presentation for hobbyists. The TIG is the best welding for aluminum. It makes the best penetration, clean, smooth.....Preparation for welding is crucial and the most important part of the job.
Thanks a million! these kinds of tips are the best on youtube... bar none. You are right on the preheat .I heat my garage with a wood stove.It would work great for that. Set the pieces on the stove for a half hr or so and weld er up...great video...
Appreciate your attention to the many details to consider. Very nice and high quality video. I have always wanted to try welding aluminum and you have given me enough info to pursue. Thanks
Also remember that the machine can still have a charge in it even after you unplug it. De-energize it by touching tip to something grounded. You might even see a spark even after its unplugged.
You have a pretty shitty welder if after it's unplugged it still sparks.
Really appreciate this video. Had heard you could mig aluminum and now I know the basics of how it’s possible. Given I will never do anything but hobbyist stuff this kind of instructional vid is exactly what I needed to get me started so thank you!
Thanks for the comment and for watching the video!! I appreciate it!
Thanks, I like and appreciate it a lot. I mig steel all week long, I saw my boss weld some aluminum once, he had a spool gun. He's forgot more than I'll ever know lol! I have a few little things here at home that need repairing.
Very professionally made video! Thanks for the tips on welding aluminum. I have used MIG for steel for many yrs. Never Aluminum. The demonstration of your recording equipment in the end of the video was really a hit! Thanks again for a great video!
All the best, Dr. Robert Svensson
There is nothing professional about this video. Not one thing. Especially welding on a plastic table and saying in the video
“Let’s head over to the welding table”.
When you change over your gases, purge the lines through for a few seconds first, to flush out the previous gasses from the machines pipework.(We usually do that via the gun trigger, but just before fitting the new wire reel. Failure to purge almost always causes weld porosity at first. In this case, the residual co2 is still being fed through in the beginning, until finally being cleared out by the Argon.(Same thing if the machine has been stood for a while, you need to bleed out the air via same method.)if the wire is already fed through, you can just slacken the feed rollers, then trigger the gas through (Reel shouldn't move) about 5 - 10 seconds is usually enough, then re-set tension to the feed rollers. An Acetone wash of the prepped surfaces will also help, but make sure it has completely evaporated/flashed off, and that the container is shifted way out before even touching that gun !
Thanks for the constructive comments! I did purge the lines, it just doesn’t show it in the video. Thanks for watching the video and for commenting. I appreciate it!
5356 has titanium and is used for the 5000 series aluminum and the titanium containing 7075. Porosity is a sign that you didn't have your gas high enough. For MIG welding 35 to 45 cfms is called for. That's a poor looking weld, but I guess it will hold. I am a welder, retired and I studied metallurgy as I had to weld a bunch of unusual metals like aluminum bronze with titanium, which was some really tough stuff to cut.
good points
It goes through the gun better but doesn’t mean it’s going to weld better. The softer stuff might be what you really need, you just need to set up so it can go through the lead and gun better.
very, very interesting video, and most interest opinions of viewers, and it seems most of them with many years of experience. THANK YOU OF ALL YOU
Your spot on with the 5356. I use Harris on my Miller set up. The only real reason I see for someone trying to weld like this is that their welding machine does not support a spool gun. Aluminum welding is an extremely hard to learn skill. It took my 6 months of practice and learning how to properly set up the speed, verses volts, verses material thickness. If your welding machine supports an aluminum spool gun, bite the bullet and buy it. I bought a spoolmate 150 for my Miller Millermatic 211 Mig Welder . That way you learn the right way and your welds will eventually come out looking nice with good penetration.
I used to do rollers when I was younger inside diameters outside diameters and build journals for the rollers some of them massive sizes should I switch to drywall I liked it better finishing no hanging for me
New Teflon liner, new tip ( dont use a bigger tip ), adjust (4 roller!) Tension so you can pinch the wire with your fingers before the rollers & stop/slow the wires movement without the rollers grinding & deforming the wire.
If the wires deformed, pull it out because it will screw up later as you weld. Use a shallow angle on the gun. Snip the melted ball off the end of the wire ( @ a sharp angle ) before starting the next weld run ( it needs to peirce the oxide layer on the parent metal ) .When threading in ( installing) a new roll of wire, file the tip so theres no burr on it & slightly tapered so it wont gouge the teflon liner. Once you get good at welding Ali, you can weld anything.
Thanks for the informative video. About to have a go at DC alum mig welding myself and I'm 100% sure that your video and some of the comments have flattened the learning curve a load for me!! Thank you!!
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching the video and for commenting!
Thanks for the information and the two tips that will really help. I have an old miller that is so old that they don't even make a gun kit for it. I bought a teflon liner, but the welding supply shop didn't have any advice on how to set up the machine. The wire speed and larger tip will help a lot along with the stiffer wire. Of course that was 20 years ago. Since then I generally TIG every thing that is worth the effort to do so.
Not too bad pal, How about a couple more tips from an older timer? I been doing this for 50 years and am semi-retired. You never really retire completely if you love what you do. You're a fan of safety I see so this one is for you, before you lift your bottles out of the machine, please put the cap on. It will only take you one time to have it slip out of your grip, fall over and break off the valve to never forget it again.
Ok, number 2 is the wire nomenclature, the reason 5356 is stiffer is because it's a 53,000 tensile strength while 4043 is 40,000. Note the numbers?
The next one is the current, while turning off machine before changing the tip is ok,it's not necessary if you are not leaning against the table where the ground clamp is, you have to complete the circuit before it will flow.
And the last one is, after you went thru all the trouble to clean it all, you thru the new tip on the table in the dirt, which could pick up shavings and contaminate your weld. Any foreign particle will ruin your weld.
I got my first certs in 1968 in the Army and been sticking metal together ever since. I specialized in Aluminum and stainless building industrial kitchen equipment, food processing plant equip, hospital equip, and of course a lot of Harley motorcycle repair. Mostly all of this had to be perfect, especially the motorcycle repair, those guys are picky. I had only one rule for the guys I taught, once I got them certified they were to never accept a job with an inferior wage. It had to be upward of 14-15 $ an hour, more now than way back then.
Anyway, I like your videos and you have a good sense of humor but hard to pick up on at first, now I know it better 'cause I watch them. Oh, one question, Why didn't you use a die grinder to bevel your joints? If you would like to talk some more, post it here and I'll get back to you. Remember I'm retired so I might take a day or two but I will always answer.
JR do you have a channel?
I will never forget the day the mig welder got knocked over. busted off the regulator not the valve thank god! I was fifteen or so feet away and trimix was blasting me in the face. my first thought was "run!" then I went over and turned off the valve.... you never forget the things that make you shit yourself!!
@Killian McClelland no matter what you do you should be able to use the 50/30/20 rule. 50% to housing and utilities 30% to groceries and you 20% to retirement/health care. so it depends on where you are.
Hear in Australia we don't even use a safety cap
@@bifish101 why?
Good video! Yes why go have to buy a Spool Gun that's half the cost of the welding machine,! let the Mig welder be the Spool Gun, Excellent!
It's just the difference between pushing the wire 10ft or 10 inches. Personal preference I guess
@@mikemilton9841 Yah i totally agree with that. Spool guns are so expensive. Im glad I found this video. Will test out on my Lincoln MP140 - 110V
Thanks for the tip👍😊.. I will try it out on my millermatic 211. Would anyone like an update?...
@@Rusty.1776 how did it work for you? I have a miller 185 that I'm wanting to try it on
Because aluminum, including the harder 5356, is soft, and bends in the tube. If you really plan on doing this not very good idea, you have to change the liner out for a Teflon liner meant for aluminum wire. Otherwise, at some point, particularly if your torch tube is curled, the wire will jam.
Thanks for the video. Those were a whole batch of good tips and a very good demo. Some drywaller will thank you:)
Your video was well organized, and very helpful. Some of the comments below are negative: its hard to be perfect during the recording. Thank you for your work.
Another thing that helps feeding your wire thru gun is to hold the gun in front of welder with cord stretched out straight. It moves much easier in a straight shot . Also you should use a stainless steel wire brush with aluminum
Thank you for doing this I learned.
You're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment and watch the video!!
hi i would use a teflon liner in my whip and have a argon -heliem mix it smoths out the weld with alum, but you did a great job in the video.
Thank you! I enjoyed your video very much because it took me back to when I used to weld professionally. I first learned to run a bead on my dad's farm at age 12, using 6013 mild steel rod an old Forney buzz-box… progressing later to a large shop in Ithaca, NY. There, we did about every sort of fabricating, design, and/or repair job, using various techniques with all sorts of metals, both ferrous and nonferrous, etc.
During the course of a day, I might silver solder a handle back onto a dainty little collector's-item silver teapot in the morning, and then erect a safety cage out of 10" thick-wall well casing onto a huge dozer in the afternoon using 1/4" diameter low-hydrogen rod. Mostly, for aluminum and stainless, I used TIG on a huge Miller Gold Star machine... which had all the bells and whistles one could ever ask for.
Have you ever welded while soaked to the skin in the rain in November, perched on a steel scaffolding with cracked cables hooked to a truck-mounted rig? It's a tingling experience (low-voltage, higher amps), but not really all that dangerous, unless you fell off (Don't tell OSHA). We often did a lot of higher-end work for the local Cornell Univ., even though they had a welding shop, mostly for small work.
I'll dispense with giving you any tips as I see many have done. I now live in San Diego. We used to use Navy surplus "Cobra" MIG portable machines when I worked at a local university. The portable Cobras had double feeder motors; one pusher feeder located at the source reel and the second puller feeder motor in the handle, which alleviated any sticking (or bird-caging).
I miss it now that I'm of retirement age (76 at this writing). However, I till have my trusty old helmet (4"x6" viewing glass). I get a kick out of it when someone says to me, "Shucks, I just cracked/broke this (whatever); guess I'll have to toss it out and buy a new one." I say to myself, "Hey, just toss it at me; I'll fix it and keep it while you go buy a new one."
Thanks again.
Ron M
Thanks very much for posting some of your experience with welding. You've got a ton of experience and I'm sure you loved most of it. I think that's my favorite part of RUclips is knowing about people's experiences in life and passing that knowledge on to others. Thanks again!
You're very welcome.
One of the few background music tracks that is enjoyable.
I needed a face mask just watching you....good Ol'Tips..weld done!!
Great video! I learned a great deal, also cudos for the camera setup stuff, your older like me, it takes a lot at times to figure out these electronics, but you made it work and look very easy
soooo much saftey!!! lol thank you for the video though, ive been needing to weld aluminum for a while and didnt know I could do it with my regular mig welder!
Why do you specify a 110v machine ? I have a 220v but I don't see what the difference would be aside from max rating. I have MIG and TIG machines but going to try this just out of curiosity since the argon is here already. Spool guns have come down in price over the years as have entry level TIG's but for a one off repair this is interesting.
Sorry if I missed clarification on this but you need a stainless steel brush which it appears you had, just didn't see that mentioned and never use that brush on anything but aluminum or it will contaminate your next weld job. You can't be too clean welding aluminum, I'd say most new to welding underestimate how clean it needs to be.
Thanks, nice video
thers no difference 110 V 220 V
People just say it to brag about being able to weld at home
@@roodbaard51 cheaper to operate
@@roodbaard51 there’s a big difference. Aluminum needs about 20% more power for the same thickness as mild steel. If you want to weld 1/4” aluminum, you need 200 amps. You can’t get that from a 110-120 volt machine. And yes, I know you can’t set amps on MiG, just voltage, but it works out to the same thing.
Great tips.
He forgot to mention a couple things like changing the wire sleeve for a new clean one.
If you use steel wire, there will be oil on it, and that oil will contaminate the sleeve and then contaminate the new/clean aluminum wire.
Also, clean the wire drive rollers.
The manual that Lincoln supplies with the MIG welder suggests this as well.
This guy has no clue he just wants to
Well I'm going to get some 5356 and give this a try. The 4043 I had before did jamb up and I dug wire out of the machine for a while.
Spool guns are out of my price range so this sounds viable
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the info. Very useful. I have the same MIG machine i totally love it! Cheers
Thanks for the comment. I really like the Lincoln SP125, too! It's a great little mig welder. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video!!
Excellent video quality and clear audio. I like that there is no background music interrupting when you are speaking. Keep it up.
There are Specific cleaning agents for aluminum..get it at a welding supply or online....
and they are toxic
Acetone
Or dilute hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) on a rag rubbed onto the welding surcafe, just use rubber gloves.
@@rogerd4559 Yeah and the older i get I'm starting to realize that...
When you can't breath nothing else matters 👍
Thanks for the tips. I am just getting into MIG welding so I need all the tips I can get, and I also love to learn more about videography. Hopefully, I can start creating some better content one day. Aloha.
WH6FQE de km4dme. That's exactly what I was going to say. Lol. Greetings from Southeast Georgia.
I also have been welding for 50 years full time and retired about 6 months ago. I’m never impressed by someone ragging on someone else’s effort. Good video to help those who have the equipment. I also spent a few years in construction hanging acoustic ceilings. I wouldn’t hesitate to walk with that stilt after that repair.
Thanks Jerry. I appreciate the kind comment. Also, it's nice to have someone chime in who actually has welding experience! Again, thanks!
Appreciate the video. I want to do aluminum welding with my Hobart 140 I just bought 3 weeks ago. Your finished product did come out pretty good! Looks like it will do the job you want it to just fine. I just can't help but notice 16 minutes in are you wearing work gloves instead of welding gloves?
:P
Wearing dust mask does not block fumes, only dust. Fresh air supply to helmet works, or forced suction around weld area.
@@richardbarber4444 yes, exactly. I cringed when he said that.
Looks like stress fracture on aluminum foot, originally welded along cracked area. Probably wasn't annealed properly, to relieve stress embrittlement. Aluminum must be stress relieved or it will be brittle and break at stress points. *Good Tips, oversized electrode orifice of .035" dia, not 030"and stiffer 5356 Alum. wire, thanks*
so, how do you go about annealing aluminum????????????
Thanks for an informative video, and for taking the time to make and post this content.
Nice video, really appreciate the extra informative combination. Excellent, i watch alot of videos, seems necessary to teach others to pass on some good innovative experience with these technologically changing world. Very simple you will attract audiences.
Thanks for the kind comments. I appreciate it. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for commenting!!!
Excellent video the complainers are ignorant of welding and should be ignored probably very young and just trying to raise an argument.
Bud,
Thanks for the kind comment. I enjoyed putting this video together. It's sad when people don't appreciate it, but that's ok. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Thanks for watching the video and for commenting!
Stairway, Yes, it is sad that people need it to be perfect or they will not like it. I realize that the video was showing a good method to weld with not the perfect equipment. The video was comical and was a joy to watch. And also informative for the layman to use as a guide to welding. In the past I have been employed as a aluminum welder at Fletcher Aviation I ran the automatic machines and did the manual welding as well. We used stainless steel wool and acetone for prep cleaning. These parts were going into outer space and were government inspected. But we also welded things that were not under perfect conditions, and they passed stress tests as well. I have the same lincoln 125 welder as you have and it has worked flawless for me for, it seems forever. I have used many tools for a hammer simply because I did not want to reach for a better hammer. It is sad that complainers are so caught up in being perfect that they can't enjoy a bit of fun.
Bud,
Thanks for the kind words. The video isn't perfect, but it's got good information and tips for the newbie trying to weld aluminum. Usually, the naysayers either have never uploaded a video of their own or they have one or two bad videos and under 5 subscribers. With that said, everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. Thanks again and happy holiday to you!
Set my 120v Weld Pak up thirty years ago (before I had a spool gun on a larger welder) for aluminum. Lincoln recommended a teflon coated gun liner (Tweco style). Don't use that liner for steel just aluminum.
Yes. Very good point. A Teflon liner would have helped me. For my next welding video I’ll be using one. Thanks for commenting and for watching the video!
Great presentation. Good safety notes (Yes some misses OK). Much to learn on welding aluminum perhaps, but one of the better vids as you have struck up some great conversations. Information I would never have available. Negative comments are much a waste of reading time and more for self-indulgence. Looking at all the positive critiques here and taking notes !!! Thanks Much, time well spent !!
Thanks for the kind comment! Thanks for watching the video and for commenting. I appreciate it!
Cool idea with the 5356 and a larger tip. I have mig welded aluminum and used argon helium like 50/50. We were pulse arc spraying and it made good clean welds. Ty for the vid👍👍
Thanks for commenting and for taking the time to watch the video! I appreciate it!
Nice video, it must not be necessary to change out the gun liner with a teflon liner. May be the teflon liner just alows the wire to feed smother?
Yes. You are correct. The Teflon liner allows the softer aluminum wire to feed better. I did not use a Teflon liner. I should have. Thanks for the comment and for watching the video!
A teflon liner can certainly help especially if your mig gun lead is long. I use a teflon liner in my everlast mig welder and have not had any issues with feeding.
Kirk Frei teflon liner is necessary because the steel liner contaminates the wire. You might not notice it but for critical and structural stuff it is essential to have teflon.
Thanks Mr. greens couldn't remember the reason for the liner, haven't welded aluminum in many years.
Lincoln actually sells an aluminum liner kit especially for this machine. I purchased one at the time I purchased the machine but have yet to use it as my aluminum welding is done with a Miller Diversion 185.
I welded aluminum dump bed trailers using mig machines for years. You have to push your gun instead of straight in or or dragging a bead. Start a weld and go with it. Not start and stop. Set your machine on a piece of scrap having the same thickness. Grinding your weld makes you a "grinder" and not a "welder". We always tried to make pretty welds to make the trailers look perfect. Lots of good tips here. Larger tip/ Keep welding lead straight/ Keep ground clamp clean for a good ground.
all welders grind...at least to clean the material if nothing else.
Thank you so much for posting your video.
I learned quite a bit from your tips. Also from some other well-intentioned bloggers. The most important thing is that you gave us much help that none other with professional experience has done here. Although, as I said, here I also learned from others and I thank them too.
Is clear that you created quite a steer here, but for the most part is all positive with the exception of some sarcasm and negative comments.
It's all part of the mix. No matter how good your intentions may be, you can never please them all. Besides, there are some that seem they are looking for ways to criticize and put down others. These are identified as losers. Why bother!
In the seventys I worked for a company that sold mostly aluminum sprinkler systems. They had a spool gun but was heavy and cumbersome. We ran helium gas, and smooth rollers. It ran great, just keep the liner as straight as possible!
hahahaha welding on a plastic table, love your work
really how do you know that??
did he say it was plastic?
I'm going to try some aluminum mig welding with my everlast welder soon.
Troll
Good video for newbies.A handy hit is to help clean the wire as it enters the liner. Easiest is to use a paperclip with about a 2" square of clean cotton rag.
Double the rag over and fit the paperclip over the fold side of the rag, then fit the paperclip and rag over the wire where it enters the feed rollers. It acts as a continuous wiper for the wire.
u may wan to double the rag again so you have 2 thicknesses of rag wiping the wire at all times. You will be amazed how quickly the rag collects alot of rubbish off the wire. Most of the rubbish would otherwise start clogging your liner. Change the rag as required.
dennis hamlin yup.Or just run the wire through an old ear plug
Probably should have cracked open the valve momentarily on the argon bottle before attaching the valve.
except there is a wiper made out of felt you can put over the wire. it is mainly used as a lubricator and you put oil on it when you are welding steel to lube the liner and clean the wire also.
The 125 welder you are useing and th exact setup Only I used different rollers to feed the wire and clamped a close pin on the wire loosely before; the rollers with a white linen piece of cloth to wipe of any dust or foreign material. To clean any thing off the wire as it passed threw. Sometimes that hose caused a bit of a problem if not perfectly strait or even a little dirty. Seem's I also had to have a special liner in the hose. It worked well for at least 10 or 15 years. It welded alot of spools of that aluminum wire. Also used aluminum rod in my DC arc welder, metal definitlly needed to be clean and preheated takes some patients and practice for sure. Good video
Thank god for TIG
Put the cylinder caps on BEFORE you move the bottle
In the 1960's, my son was about 3 yrs old & a big oxygen cylinder that was not secured fell within inches of him. I have thought about my carelessness in allowing that to come close to hurting or killing him. You are so right about putting the caps on before moving a cylinder. You cannot be too careful.
cool nice tip i think most people have a hard time and have to uses the spool gun if they don't realize going with thicker diameter wire and tip as well as the pure argon. Looks like you can almost do the equivalent to tig with maybe raised a little welds that have to be grinded down. Really cool to play around with tig , mig and see the significant differences.
Thanks for the great, informative video.
I got a lot out of this video. Thanks for all the tips.
A small tip put the protative top before you move the bottle I have seen someone drop it right after they remove it from the welder
Good safety tip. I appreciate it! Thanks.
didnt even notice it if i seen some guy hauling his bottle across the shop with no top on my ass would be making a run for it!
Now you said hang drywall that they may do but it is made for us finishers we're the ones that make it look good drywall finishers that is! Thank you very much!
Great video Mr stairway, you done a job.
Hi just a quick tip from an old welder - Pretty does not equal strong - Linishing off the Weld would have weakened the Butt - I would leave it if I was you and give the finish a nice coat of Ally paint. ... Cosmetic finish = Paint usually .. trust me dont grind off the top of the Weld
i dont have any recent experience welding alum. but i think he ground the bottom off because it had to sit flat is a food pad for the stilt also a tip to clean up /grind alum. use a flapp grinder wheel with wax on it. told to me by aircraft and pipline welder
Plus i didn't hear any mention about changing your liner,would have thought with ali you'd be using a Teflon liner not steel
Ding, ding, Yes, we have a winner!
Lately I'm considering going to mig instead of stick, looks like a better setup for all around tasks, from sheet metal to aluminum. Been looking at a Hobart Handler 140. Very helpful & excellent video.
I have a 140 handler. You'll love it. One tip: if it seems like it isn't striking an arc or feeding,check the contacter in back.
I had a handler 140 and it was okay for smaller things. Upgraded to handler 210mvp, day and night difference. I welded stripped lift arms to the lift shaft on a Kubota tractor with it a couple years ago and it's still holding the tiller up. 😁
The advantage to MIG (or FCAW for that matter) is that you are able to weld together thinner pieces of metal than you can with SMAW.
Thanks for the tips. I've always found letting the wire stick out about 3/4" from the contactor helps
As long as you have enough gas to cover the weld.
I gotta get me a spoolgun for my everlast mig welder. Maybe a christmas present to myself.
Like your show,I am a weider and have been for over 60 years, always replace the safety cap before moving,even so called empty tanks can take of like a rocket if the nozel happned to break do to being droped.Bad things hapen to good people be safe.
harlan simmons have you ever witnessed a tank blow up? Doubtful but keep believing everything they tell you
Harlan, YES I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN!!
Many years ago in a Mig welding class at vocational college an unsecured full bottle of 75/25 mix gas was just replaced on a machines cart and they forgot to chain it. The guy pulled the cart, the bottle fell and the regulator struck something just before it hit the floor and yes it very loudly shot thru TWO cinder block walls and into the parking lot! Thank God only two guys had minor injuries!!
So yes those stories are True of any high pressure cylinder!
Go watch a u tube video of how the cylinders are made and why. It will open your eyes and narrow mind.
I saw a fire extinguisher get knocked of the wall and the valve got knocked off. It shot around the floor very fast so imagine what a real high pressure tank would do!
I have a Lincoln 250 ac/dc mig and I've welded a lot of aluminum with it doing it this way .
I have the SP-100 and I love it! I don't have any problem welding aluminum either
i have to say that is the first time i have seen someone use a plastic table as a welding table!
I was wondering able that. Is this some sort of new industrial plastic that will withstand welding on?? Me thinks not lol
A Safety Tip- Never remove the cap from a high pressure bottle unless the bottle is stored, securely fastened and can not tip over! Never move a high pressure cylinder without a protective cap! If a cylinder is knocked over or dropped it is possible for the valve to break off! If the valve is broken off, the cylinder will take off like a rocket! You should make a correction to this video and warn people of this danger.
Exactly! Cap stays on when bottle is being moved. That is when it is most likely to do it's job.
ever see first hand what one of those things will do? .... a video just does not do it justice!
i had a uncle who had an aircraft parts rebuild shop and the guys got to fooling
around with an oxy tank and purposely broke the valve off(dull day i guess) after it went through a concrete block wall it spun around in the parking lot for about 10 min before stopping no one hurt but i think a lot of wet pants
when I saw it happen it was an accident. concrete is nothing! they go right through, this one missed a gas pump by a foot. that would have been exciting!! and no, there were no dry pants in the shop that day!!
I did not join the army, was not an 11-bravo or any of that. on purpose. being that close to shit blowing up is not for me!
busted the valve off of an argon tank in high school welding shop and the tank went through 3 classrooms punching through the walls and launching desks with students around. . . looked like something out of a charlie chaplin movie. .omg, I'm glad I was the one that busted the valve and not one of the ones that got torpedoed out of my desk by the tank!!
Very good lesson....thank you...
A few other tips.
Purge your welding gas feed when you are switching bottles, changing welding gas mix or even if you have let your machine set for a while. If you do not, the beginning of your weld might be porous (bubbly).
Ventilation is important, but a direct breeze can ruin your weld by blowing your shielding gas away.
Some manufactures use special aluminum alloys that require special alloy welding wire. If you have problems, you might need to contact the manufacture to see which alloy they use/recommend.
Aluminum welds shrink when they cool off and can draw an unclamped piece into a curve.
I have 40 experience and I am still working, (large equipment, wreck and damage repair including aluminum dump trailers, dump trucks, cabs and various other large pieces of equipment. I also do custom fabrication.)
I do a lot of aluminium welding at work and I use 75% argon and 25% helium mix to get a hoter weld
Yup....... That helium helps so much!!
carlapeterchris hell the way it looks he didn’t even turn the gas on.
Helium is pricey for a home shop. At work their not deducting it from your paycheck ;)
Helium is only necessary for low amp machines as all it achieves is a hotter arc ! And if it is as expensive in your part of the world as is here in Australia I would avoid it where possible !
yeah, they don't call it HELI-arc for nothing eh. lol
Who else has become an MIG welder pro during the Corona virus lockdown? lol
i got some jb weld and a harbor freight mig in my garage.... so for the purpose of youtube comments IM SO FUCKING GOOD AT IT (literally still haven't welded shit)
great job, nice and clear, and thanks for the video stuff at the end. I'm trying this next.
Great laid back Vid..5356 wire/.030 wire with .035 tip sound like answer to my prayers..Bout only thing ya didn't mention was turn on gas and purge through tip...Helps lots when you start weld...THX