aluminum with mm 135

[handyman52607]

my question is this. can i weld aluminum with my millermatic 135 and if so what do i need? any help would be appreciated

[Aerometalworker]

my question is this. can i weld aluminum with my millermatic 135 and if so what do i need? any help would be appreciated

For all practical purposes No. You only have enough energy available to do very thin material, but thin material is not really where a Mig is happy on aluminum anyway. What projects did you have in mind and what other equipment do you have?

[vin-man welding]

there is the question of amps. but if you only need to weld 1/8 or maybe 10 gauge if its not to cridicale you could us a spoolmate right? 3035? i use a 30a but i have a Dynasty 200 and a trailblazer 302.

[handyman52607]

aluminum mm 135

all i have are basic fabricater tools: torches, chop saw, grinder, and of course the miller 135. i would'nt be doing anything major, just repairs and some small scale fabricating. welds no more than one inch long, if that.
i've heard that its possible to do, but im no expert. but if a spool gun will work on my machine which one do i get? really, any advice is appreciated.

[Vicegrip]

I have used a 135 to weld al without a spool gun. 1/8th flat stock for non critical work. It is doable and I did make some devices that are still in used many years later. It is a pain and you have to keep the gun cable nearly straight or you will birdnest the wire. This was a good while ago I don't recall if there was a spool gun that worked on the 135 nor was I going to fork out the $ for one for the simple work I had at hand. I would think that a spool gun would take most of the PITA factor out. Even with a spool gun a 135 is limited of power and al loves power.

Does not hurt the wallet much to get a spool of wire and a clean liner and try it out.

[Johnny]

At the Miller site it indicates that the Spoolmate 3035 will fit onto a MM135. It's "list Price" is $650!!!

Compatability chart:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...gun-chart.html

Product itslef:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...poolmate_3035/

You may also need to purchase this kit for $27
http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/bra...ct_id=315&ID=1


A reasonable Option:
A Tweco Flexi-MIG Conductor Tube might make it possible. If you reduce the bend in the conductor tube it should help reduce birdsnesting at the feeder spool.

I wrote a much longer post but the forum had a hickup when I posted.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/517294

Here's another conductor tube with less bend:
http://www.airgas.com/browse/product...&WT.svl=109536:

Here's another flexible tube:

https://www.mythermadyne.com/thc/en/...2508false%2508

[Aerometalworker]

all i have are basic fabricater tools: torches, chop saw, grinder, and of course the miller 135. i would'nt be doing anything major, just repairs and some small scale fabricating. welds no more than one inch long, if that.
i've heard that its possible to do, but im no expert. but if a spool gun will work on my machine which one do i get? really, any advice is appreciated.

Well I too had tried it back when I had a 135. If I pre-heated I could get an OK weld on 1/8" but man that was the limit. On much thinner then that there just wasnt much control, especially for doing a repair job where the thickness might not be known. I used the teflon liner from Miller, never had an issue with jamming.

[Johnny]

Here's another potential and mucch less expensive option. I am not a welder but I can problem solve just a little bit.

We all know that birdsnesting makes it darn near impossible to use a regular mig gun with aluminum even with a brand NEW liner and straightend out hose. The birdnest happens at the feeder but is caused, mainly I believe, at the bend in the conductor tube. If you can reduce the angle of bend in that tube the wire will hang LESS at the feed rollers.

It wouldn't be perfect but certainly better. The Miller Spoolmate option is expensive enough to make you give up completely or buy another welder. Getting or fabricating a more straight conductor tube might be reasonable option.

Tweco Flexi-MIG Conductor Tube
http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/517294

[Johnny]

Tweco Flexi-MIG Conductor Tube might make it possible. If you reduce the bendin the conductor tube it should help reduce birdsnesting at the feeder spool.

I wrote a much longer post but the forum had a hickup when I posted.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/517294

[Johnny]

The MM 135 and MM140 have the same power rating and I have a 140AutoSet.

This is 1/16" wall square tubing and 1/8" flat bar. It looks welded OK to me.

http://oregonian.biz/funfun/Welding/5.80/IMG_6034.JPG

[CRETE4U]

Welding aluminum with MM135

I came on here a while back and asked the same question about the MM175. With the help of some good people here I found out you can. I bought a new Teflon liner and never installed it. It feeds just fine with the standard liner,(A new one). It took me a while to get the machine set up, because I was not experienced with MIG. Once you get things set, just practice a lot. It will work.

[Aerometalworker]

The MM 135 and MM140 have the same power rating and I have a 140AutoSet.

This is 1/16" wall square tubing and 1/8" flat bar. It looks welded OK to me.

http://oregonian.biz/funfun/Welding/5.80/IMG_6034.JPG

Thats pretty much what I was able to do as well, and for what I work on it wasnt good enough by an means.

[cruizer]

Teflon liner and a one over tip. Still have to keep your whip as straight as possible.

[Johnny]

Thats pretty much what I was able to do as well, and for what I work on it wasnt good enough by an means.

I'll get a tig welder in the next year but for now my MM140 is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread- love it.

[brwelder]

spoolmate 100 on millermatic 135

my question is this. can i weld aluminum with my millermatic 135 and if so what do i need? any help would be appreciated

You can hook up the spoolmate 100 and a miller 300409 switch kit . If your
Serial# is LC175022 and above ( with the 2 pin square drive motor plugs)
the switch plugs into the harness . If it is a lower serial number , you have to do some wiring , but not hard to do . Go to :
http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/pro...roduct_id=1096