Johnmor
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 12:04 PM |
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Aluminium welding with Mig
Has anybody used their mig for welding aluminium?
I know you can get 0.8 Alu wire and I think you have to use pure Argon gas but has anybody had much success.
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Minicooper
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 12:08 PM |
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Yes I have done this, it works ok, it's only for heavier jobs and its no where as neat even if you do it everyday
Cheers
David
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stevebubs
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 12:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Minicooper
Yes I have done this, it works ok, it's only for heavier jobs and its no where as neat even if you do it everyday
Cheers
David
what sort of power were you using on the MIG? Pure Argon as shield, yes?
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jambojeef
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 01:24 PM |
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Ive done this too and would second the neatness issues!
You need a high power setting and very high wire feed speed and lots of patience.
You will find some alloys much better to weld than others - some are nearly impossible to weld using this technique and a hobby-style MIG.
Basically I found that even a degree out on the wire feed speed dial would mess up the weld and it was continually a case of dressing welds afterwards
- a slow process on my engine bay brace!
Yeah - use pure argon for this in a hobby-MIG.
Geoff
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 03:31 PM |
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Do you need to use different filters in the visor for aluminium welding (i.e. lighter or darker?). Can you actualy see a weld pool, or is it a case
of squirt and hope for the best?
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PaulBuz
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 04:25 PM |
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I would second what geoff said ...A very high wire feed is needed!
It certainly aint no pretty tigged job, but it seems to do the trick
 
Rescued attachment Picture 421.jpg
ATB
Paul
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jambojeef
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 04:54 PM |
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Quote: Do you need to use different filters in the visor for aluminium welding (i.e. lighter or darker?). Can you actualy see a weld pool, or is it a
case of squirt and hope for the best?
Erm I think you probably should opt for darker filters for Alloy but I used the standard darkest shade on my cheapo auto darkening helmet and used a
halogen lamp to illuminate the area.
Is it pretty violent when you get a weld going - my ally welding was characterised by the smell of burning hair!
But perhaps if you use your hands to hold the welding torch you'll be ok.....
[Edited on 17/11/05 by jambojeef]
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 17/11/05 at 05:46 PM |
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Some of you guys may find this interesting as an alternative.
/www.aluminumrepair.com/examples.htm
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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want2race
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| posted on 19/11/05 at 03:35 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Confused but excited.
Some of you guys may find this interesting as an alternative.
/www.aluminumrepair.com/examples.htm
I will personally say this product is CRAP! Never holds! Save your $
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Peteff
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| posted on 19/11/05 at 05:03 PM |
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Lumiweld.
My nephew fastened a fairing bracket back on his bike with it and it held alright. It's more like soldering or brazing than welding, you
don't apply the flame to the rod.
[Edited on 19/11/05 by Peteff]
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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