Dude, just did a simple 2F weld test, and I was watching your video before I went in, you going ‘back and forth’ motion allowed me to ace my test. Smoked it! Never welded aluminum before either
I used to weld aluminum McDonald’s arches together that would be mounted on a swing arm that set a top a 3/8” thick 4” pole that was at every McDonald’s in the world. I pumped out 65 to 80 pieces a day using a cobramig 300 push-pull with argon gas. I could change my amperage and WFS right from the gun! While I was using the most cost effective way to pump out more pieces,I remember the older guys using the electrode tungsten guns with filler rods to weld their signs. I remember one old school welder in his early 60’s told me one day,young man you better learn to weld the tungsten way with a filler rod. Because one day you will have no other option. Well guess what? He was right,I have a welding test Monday for a new job and it’s been since welding school about 15 years ago since I used a tungsten electrode with a foot pedal and filler rod. But hopefully by watching your videos it will brush up my Tig welding skills.
The most comprehensive concise and practical videos on RU-vid for a beginner. That's my considered opinion after watching a couple of hundred hours of videos over the past 6 months. THANKS MATE Your blood is worth bottling!
Interesting video. I was told from a mate that you can't weld aluminium with a MIG welder, you need TIG. So, really, with a different alloy gun and wire for you can. Great stuff. 👍
I just picked up a “new old stock” Klutch 200iDV Multi process welder with Mig(flux and gas)DC Tig, Stick and SPOOL GUN for $300 from Northern Tool!!! Wouldn’t you know it, that eavesdropping, internet AI puts this video in my feed today 😂 Great video as usual, can’t wait to try the spool gun!
We have new "Lorch" brand (german) Mig machines at work, and they will do Pulse and Double Pulse Alluminium, Straight out of the gun, NO Spool gun, I haven't really tried much with that other than a test run on coupons when the salesman showed us what these machines can do, but what I did see was pretty Impressive.
TimWelds, you're so good a teacher and in doing easy-to-learn presentation. Thank you so much! Please just continue doing your passion for us followers.
Great Video and a lot of helpful tips to get going. One thing I'd like to ask is if you make any modifications to how you'd start off with setting when you use 5356 wire instead of 4043? do you decrease the voltage a little more to start? need more wire speed? just curious if the alloy makes any difference in how you go about your set up?
Haha has miller welder uses harbor freight gun. Looks like it works pretty good though. We have a gun like this in the shop, another brand and it bird nests if you look at it side eye instantly. This video explains why thanks.
Nice spool gun you got there Tim. I've never used one, but I am looking forward to try. Since, I already have the welder (HOBART 210), I want to go for it. Thank you for sharing. Oh, you got some nice welds there. Take care my friend.👍👍
Really great info Tim. To start your weld try using a sacrificial piece to arc to then lead into your project, I learned that tip from a welder on youtube.
Tim, I have watched this video several times and think it's great. This is my "GO TO" channel for anything welding. At the seven minute mark you appear to be dragging the puddle rather than pushing it. Is it just the optics of the video? I am attempting to weld 1/8" material and would like to know how to finish the weld without a crater at the end with something this thin. Thanks
Every video explain mig aluminum with T joints. That’s easy!!! But the reality the most common weld to those who fabricate fence and railings is but weld on a 1/8 thick material. Why no one shows that?
As long as Tim’s making these videos nobody else needs to make welding videos. There’s no point, He’s got this on lock. Great filming, explanation, and welds.
I guess Im asking randomly but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
@Leandro Jason i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Great video ,nice looking mig welds and good information on adjusting the machine I was curious to find out your thoughts on the harbour freight gun compared to the miller ?
I just tried the spoolgun first time today on a miller 212 non auto I had to have the heat on the lowest setting on the welder and still with messing around with different heights/speed travel the back side of the aluminum 1/8 plate had a bulging weld bead so seems 1/8 thickness or less is a no go maybe 1/4 would be perfect? had similar problems with the tig welder as well always the back side of the 1/8 inch plate had a deformity or like a bulging weld.
Nice video. Okay, so you mentioned the Harbor Freight spool gun you would be reviewing and you briefly showed the spool gun you said you would be using in this video. But, although you have links to some of the products one might use , you didn't share a link for the spool gun you used in this video. I only mention it b'c there are a lot of different guns out there that don't seem to cut the mustard but, the gun you use seems to be the most efficient I've seen and would like to purchase one like that !! Thank for your generous consideration, Sincerely ..................
Bruh I can’t figure out when when I go to lay the bead the two pieces of aluminum won’t fuse together. I’ve been mig welding for a few years and am pretty good at it when it comes to stainless and iron. But aluminum I suck at it
Hi Sam, Depending on the units on the argon, that could be too low. I’d turn it up quite a bit, probably 35 cfh. Also, be sure to use a push angle with about 5/8”-3/4” from the contact tip to the metal. Those are the main things to avoid black deposits.
At 4:14 when you got the voltage dialed in perfect I audibly said "OHOHOOYEEAAHH". I must've eaten my wheaties this morning. Great video, big fan, keep it up.
Thanks for the informative video. One thing I noticed, you mentioned holding your angle of the torch head in the direction of travel (push technique) for aluminum mig welding. However, during the last part of your video, you showed what appeared to be a drag technique? Any reason for this? I would assume that you can use either technique depending on your welding proficiency? Keep up the great videos!
not bad, but not good, professional, NO. BUT great job for a cheap setup for something you already have. that cleaning action and wetting is not ideal and there is a LOT of carbon on the leading edge of your welds. yea its ok, for a hobbyist who just wants to add a spool gun and make some things its fine but there is no substitute for TIG Great video though
Without a spool gun, the main thing for feeding is keeping the gun lead straight and make sure you’re using straight argon gas. U-shaped rollers and a Teflon gun liner will also help, but if you’re only doing a little bit, you may get by without them. A 140 will be about maxed out running aluminum spray, so start with the voltage on one of the top settings and adjust the wire speed until you get it to look like the arc in this video. Also, a little preheat with a propane torch will help, just don’t go too hot (200 degrees F or so is good).
Do you do any prep to the aluminum being welded before starting? I’ve seen others brush with a stainless brush and preheat. You didn’t say anything about it and I wanted to be sure.
The only time I would clean the aluminum before you weld it would be if it’s dirty but other than that I wouldn’t aluminum melts down easily to ensure good penetration when you start a weld let it pool up the. You can either just push it because the wire is constantly touching it won’t look the best but it’ll be strong I prefer to whip it because the beads I find get just a bit deeper. I have also been shown that instead of doing either when your pushing the bead you can lift the gun away from the bead to get the layering
Excellent video. Good length, too. I have a 240 volt Lincoln mig, but haven't done much welding. It can't take a spool gun. Any videos or suggestions for buying a used or new machine that can take a spool gun? Ideally, something $2K or less? Also, any thoughts on Eastwood machines quality wise? thanks.
I just hold my breath while I'm under the hood and try to keep the room in the shop flowing with opened doors. I try to suck in as little air as possible when I'm hovering directly over an arc, and try to keep my head to the side when possible.
Hi Tim, I am mig welding aluminum using 3/64 wire on Lincoln Power Mig 300 and no matter what i do the wire melts to a tip after few minutes of welding. Machine performs very nice weld, but burns too many tips through a day. I would appreciate if you would tell me why it is happening. Thank you!
When looking for tips, I know here in Australia there will be 2 types, one will normally have an "A" after it. This specifies it is a tip designed for aluminium which will normally mean that it has a larger opening than the specified size.
timwelds. Have you ever heard of anyone adapting a spool gun ( like the harbor freight) to a Lincoln weld pak 100 to run aluminum.(15 years old). Thanks
So you push&pull? I do the C motion. Was wondering because i was told that you suppose to push when you aluminum, but I do it, i drag it, while pushing and Making a C. Just wanted to check of i was doing it right
I do not get a smooth bead. I get lots of holes in the middle of the bead. Is that my wire speed? I was about 340 or 341. Do I need slower? My voltage was 19.1. I am using I believe 5356 wire that has the green arc.
Gotta say, I prefer TIG for aluminum, because it's what I do at work. I'm getting a home setup for general welding going at home though, and I want to learn this
I've never welded mig aluminum I have a weld test Wednesday for it and I'm a little nervous but I've ran MIG mild steel stainless steel for about a year now. 😅
Great introduction to spool gun ,I have recently purchased a spool gun , trying to set it for welding 2 mm square tube Perhaps some suggestions on 0.8 mm wire... voltage and speed.. I'm using the metric system mm/ second and VOLTS
Very good information. I've had a spool gun for 6 years and haven't even tried it , yet! It would be nice to see the voltage and wires speed information instead of the Miller use number whatever. My welders don't have a chart just the speeds and voltage. Support says to use synergic settings to learn!
Thanks! I don’t get mine out too often, but it’s really nice when there’s a lot of weld to run in a hurry. There is a settings calculator on Miller’s website www.millerwelds.com/resources/weld-setting-calculators that can get you in the ballpark. Aluminum MIG is especially sensitive to settings, so I always have to dial mine in. It’s not too bad if you start with the voltage low and sneak up on it until it’s running good.
That is an Interesting Question, Yes you need AC for Tig welding Alluminium, BUT a Typical "Quality" Mig machine can weld Aluminium with the correct feed rollers, and the Machine MUST be able to do Spray Transfer, because you need to be in spray transfer for Alluminium. I use a Lincoln Electric STT2 (375 Amp machine) it doesn't do Spray Transfer, It is a "Surface Tension Transfer" so therefore I can't do Alluminium with that Machine.
