Aluminum welding

[classictruckman]

Thanks

[aametalmaster]

truckman for alum you need pure Argon...Bob

[classictruckman]

I've got a millermatic 250 and I want to buy a 30a spoolgun and I'm wondering what gas should I use when I can afford to get this gun?

I've used helium in the past with a TIG on aluminium, but my experience with anything but mild steel is limited.

[aametalmaster]

I have a MM185 and spoolgun and like 3035 wire. I use it for new production parts as well as repair of broken junk. Yes junk by the time it gets to me its really broke or 3 others have tried to fix it. Here is a chainsaw cover i made today from 1/8" alum. All the corners are welded and ground...Bob

[shovelon]

I have a millermatic 200. I only use my spoolgun for tacking anymore. Just too finicky for continuous welding. What I found was that I needed to clip the ball off the wire every time I started to weld or it would not start worth a darn. I clip the wire at a diagonal so the sharp end lit up faster.

I know that most people like 4043 better, but I have better luck with 5356, as it drives better and seems to arc up more consistantly.

Good Luck and have fun.

[benelli7979]

I have just bought a 252 millermatic welding machine and a used 30a spoolgun is there anything that i need to watch for while using this setup on aluminum