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MIG weld aluminum

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Old 03-16-2008, 03:47 AM
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Default MIG weld aluminum

picked up lincoln pro mig 140. It kiks ***. I got a few aluminum projects that need to be done. Can this thing handle it.
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Old 03-16-2008, 08:43 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

i welded some aluminum with my mig that is similar to yours and it held strong, but looked completely horrible
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Old 03-19-2008, 03:49 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

Did you use a spool gun or just fed it through the hose. What about if a weld it grind some down and weld again I know aluminum is a pain in the ***.
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Old 03-19-2008, 07:05 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

i just used a normal mig fed through the line. when i did it, i welded it and ground it down and then used jb weld over it to smooth it up and seal it. it was for itb's so it had to be air tight. then i painted the intake a flat silver so it looked awesome
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Old 03-21-2008, 04:48 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

Did you use 100% argon
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Old 03-21-2008, 07:38 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

no, it was a mix. i am working on getting a tig so i probably wont ever try it again
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Old 03-21-2008, 10:44 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

Spool gun and argon and you can make very nice welds.I found it really sensitive to settings though and the alum has to be uber clean i fucked up quite a few of the first welds till the instructor told me to really go to town cleaning it.After that it got alot easier.
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Old 03-21-2008, 03:55 PM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

ALWAYS ALWAY ALWAYS keep your tools separate with aluminum!!!!!
What i mean is, when you are working with aluminum, "dedicated" aluminum tools should be used such as a wire brush, or a grinding wheel, whatever it is...you dont want to mix aluminum and steel!!
And with aluminum cleanliness is next to godlyness!!!!
Also dont forget that aluminum burns at a different temperature than steel too!! things are a little different so always practice on a scrap peice of metal!!!
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Old 03-21-2008, 10:30 PM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

MIG aluminum is much more freindly if you have pulsed welder (millermatic 350p here) and a push/pull setup
with a pulsed mig you get arc shaping and arc length adjustments. i use it on FMIC piping/core brackets, way faster than TIG but looks harder to seal, i havent tried to do any water/air tight components with it yet so i cant say for sure
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Old 03-26-2008, 12:18 AM
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Default Re: MIG weld aluminum

They have a pulse ption I can add on to the welder it cost I think a lil more then $150 but when you get a $500+ welder for free its not a big deal. Now with that pulse option installed it should make for some bangin-*** aluminum mig welds. Correct?
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