texm3x

I got this Mig welder from harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/interes...der-97503.html
even got the aluminum spool with argon gas i was wondering if this will work on intercool piping because i keep getting popcorn and clumps am i not giving it enough gas or is my feed speed need to be faster since its thin piece of aluminum comming out from the gun?

duffman1278

I don't think you're suppose to MIG such thin piece of aluminum, that's where TIG comes in.

iirc you probably are going to have a very hard time MIGing intercooler piping.

Top Ramen

1) Can that machine even be set up for aluminum? (correct current and polarity)

2) IC pipes are pretty thin for Mig. I used to weld up intakes with a spool-gun but it is tough to do thin gauge aluminum with a Mig.

texm3x

well i finally got it to where it feeds the wire without breaking or nesting up. but, i can't get it to keep the weld continueous in a flow pattern it shuts off
(weld stops). i seriously think i'm lacking the gas flow i have it 5-10 pressure i heard 20 was the key dunno?

MR.johnson

to answer you question. no. get a tig or a spool gun and "try" to weld thin stuff.

texm3x

i think i'm not using enough gas because it does weld but serveral people say they have used it. just not adjusting it right, i think..any help like, how much gas??low or high electricity flow, spool speed???? any words of advice??

epson1

advice? get a TIG

FabChild

Save yourself the headache and stop trying to use a cheap HF mig to weld aluminum. It is not set-up for that, as others said you will need a spool gun attachment or the wire will just keep nesting. Even with the proper setup your going to have a hard time mig welding it unless your using a very expensive machine.

q16racer

friend of mine built his aluminum exhaust with a lincoln mig welder. Used the aluminum spool at the highest heat and highest speed lol.

vtecnitrocrx

I've MIG'd aluminum a lot actually. If you have a machine that can handle it and a spool gun, yeah, it welds really nice actually if you get good at it. I was a precision TIG welder for a fabrication company for a while. I made these ceiling panels for all the Tiffany's stores and they were aluminum. I MIG welded palets and palets of those things....I was like a master at the end...lol.

Fabian

try this site for some info www.weldingtipsandtricks.com i found this site very informative.

q16racer

Good link thanks!