Ok, I know this looks really funny, but this was the result of my catchcan prototype after I took my mig to it.

Now, maybe one of you could point me in the right direction as to what went completely wrong in it, I mean this is just horrible.
My setup was a Telwin 152 Bimax, using 100% argon and aluwire, no problem in the feeding although the reel is in the machine, one tip burnt, but I got few spares. But the aluminium just burnt like that, I'm thinking maybe I should get stainless and use that for the catchcan instead of aluminium.

 

MIG welding aluminum is really tough. Either TIG it or just use steel.

 

Ewwww! yea TIG

 

did you use AC?

 

It doesn't look like that will hold without leaking.


It could be that this was the result of oxygen contaminating the weld from the back side. It could be that heat was high for the thickness of material, causing it to blow holes and let the oxygen in from the back side. It could be that your had gaps that did it.

What do youre beads look like on flat plate?

Can you take pics of them?

Oh, and is that the type of gas that's reccomended for that specific wire?

 

Could be the type of aluminum. I believe some types of aluminum cannot be welded. I think 7075 is one type.

 

Sorry, I dont have the other pieces of aluminum I tried to mig anymore, but I'll get some scarp aluminum this week and I'll take some pics of the welds. But all in all they were just beading up at the edge, and didnt really stick to the other material, lots of black soot were on the material (could be wirebrushed off).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but using mig on aluminum, I should have relatively low power setting, but a high wire speed? I gotta say, the telwin has a very confusing power setup. Now the setting on it currently are the ones I used for the catchcan.
Heres what it looks like

 

well you could try a 75/25 Ar/Co2 mix instead of the straight argon, you might be better off using ss to make it, little welders like those dont do Al too well usually, but id like to see how it does on flat plate first like someone said above, it would be easier to diagnose the problem

 

OK Engloid, here are the pics I promised. Give me your opinion on whats the problem.

Aluminium piece Front

same piece backside

Then I welded some iron anglebar with flux cored wire and argon as a comparison

 

More control man. You appear to not be holding a bead, so I'd give basic steel some practice first. That's also a lot of slag even for FCAW.

 

Looks like control is a bit of a problem. Adjust travel speed according to the bead width. Don't try to just blindly go a consistent speed.

On the aluminum...it's gonna be hard to get a nice bead on aluminum that thin, but in time, you will do better than that. That thin of material is best tig welded.

 

It looks as though there isnt enough wire speed and theres a good chance that the aluminum wire is getting caught up in the liner.

 

Thanks alot for the advices I'm beginning work next week to finish my garage (electrics and flooring), after its done I'll start to practice alot more. Welding in the bathroom (only firesafe place due to tiling) isnt exactly of the best intrests when you know what happens when the female residents see the black streaks on the tiles

 

As someone said earlier AC for Aluminum and DC for Steel.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flashmn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks alot for the advices I'm beginning work next week to finish my garage (electrics and flooring), after its done I'll start to practice alot more. Welding in the bathroom (only firesafe place due to tiling) isnt exactly of the best intrests when you know what happens when the female residents see the black streaks on the tiles </TD></TR></TABLE>

I hope you have the windows opened!

 

Nope, but its a spacious room, so it takes a while to fill up with fumes... (yes yes, very self-reassuring)

 

your welding in your *******?

rofl

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rtype16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As someone said earlier AC for Aluminum and DC for Steel.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's for TIG welding. He's trying to MIG weld.