Can this weld Aluminum?
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Can this weld Aluminum?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=6271
it says it can use aluminum wire... but im kinda doubtfull it actually can... if anyone has any experience with this machine and can vouche that it does in fact weld aluminum i would be very greatfull and will pick one up today.
it says it can use aluminum wire... but im kinda doubtfull it actually can... if anyone has any experience with this machine and can vouche that it does in fact weld aluminum i would be very greatfull and will pick one up today.
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Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (LordAphotic)
Ummm no not as pictured, you need to buy a spool gun which will be expensive along with a bottle of argon, and after all that it will probably weld like ****.
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From: Fakeville, USA, USA
Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (dave@passenger)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dave@passenger »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ummm no not as pictured, you need to buy a spool gun which will be expensive along with a bottle of argon, and after all that it will probably weld like ****.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Buying a spool gun for that would be pointless. They weld aluminum fine for how much they cost.
Just get some aluminum wire 0.024" crank up the amps all the way and turn up the wire feed speed.
The reason the cheap welders don't do aluminum so well is because they don't have a consistent feed speed, because of a shitty drive roll motors.
I weld aluminum on a lower amperage version and it never birdnests, so don't get thicker wire.
Also make sure you have a good flood of argon, plus argon is cheaper than C25 in most places and the regulator works for both.
Buying a spool gun for that would be pointless. They weld aluminum fine for how much they cost.
Just get some aluminum wire 0.024" crank up the amps all the way and turn up the wire feed speed.
The reason the cheap welders don't do aluminum so well is because they don't have a consistent feed speed, because of a shitty drive roll motors.
I weld aluminum on a lower amperage version and it never birdnests, so don't get thicker wire.
Also make sure you have a good flood of argon, plus argon is cheaper than C25 in most places and the regulator works for both.
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thanks a lot f20c
thats great to know ill buy this asap... i just need to do very thing aluminum work like no thicker than 1/8thick
the reason im cheaping out on the mig welder is cause i want a good plasma cutter that can cleanly cut 1/4 inch.
but thanx again f20c
thats great to know ill buy this asap... i just need to do very thing aluminum work like no thicker than 1/8thick
the reason im cheaping out on the mig welder is cause i want a good plasma cutter that can cleanly cut 1/4 inch.
but thanx again f20c
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From: Gastonia, NC, US
The reason you might need a spool gun is becasue the wire is so ductile that it is very difficult to be pushed through the liner without bird nesting in the rollers.
I would be surprised if this doesn't happen and also on how well it welds at 115 amps. Aluminum needs more amperage than steel. 1/8 might be possible but don't plan on doing long beads because the duty cycle is very short and it will shut down due to overheating.
I would be surprised if this doesn't happen and also on how well it welds at 115 amps. Aluminum needs more amperage than steel. 1/8 might be possible but don't plan on doing long beads because the duty cycle is very short and it will shut down due to overheating.
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From: Fakeville, USA, USA
Re: (arcboy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arcboy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The reason you might need a spool gun is becasue the wire is so ductile that it is very difficult to be pushed through the liner without bird nesting in the rollers.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
These cheap machines don't have the problem of bird-nesting. The drive rollers will just slip.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
These cheap machines don't have the problem of bird-nesting. The drive rollers will just slip.
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Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (LordAphotic)
Don't invest in that cheap machine. I saw the quality of the welds on 75/25 and its horrible, probably the same as the flux on my HH 140. Get a well built machine and you will be more satisfied on the build quaity and the weld quality it puts out.
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From: Fakeville, USA, USA
Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (dude_123)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dude_123 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't invest in that cheap machine. I saw the quality of the welds on 75/25 and its horrible, probably the same as the flux on my HH 140. Get a well built machine and you will be more satisfied on the build quaity and the weld quality it puts out.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Whoever did the welding sucks then.
They weld fine, they just don't have the super consistent wire feed as say the millers or lincolns, esab, whatever you are using.
Whoever did the welding sucks then.
They weld fine, they just don't have the super consistent wire feed as say the millers or lincolns, esab, whatever you are using.
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Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (F20Cteg)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by F20Cteg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Whoever did the welding sucks then.
They weld fine, they just don't have the super consistent wire feed as say the millers or lincolns, esab, whatever you are using.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
yeah one of my first welding machines was a cheap harbor frieght fluxcore and once i changed the wire to licoln wire it was welding very well as long as the line was straight so the wire came out consistently.
Whoever did the welding sucks then.
They weld fine, they just don't have the super consistent wire feed as say the millers or lincolns, esab, whatever you are using.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
yeah one of my first welding machines was a cheap harbor frieght fluxcore and once i changed the wire to licoln wire it was welding very well as long as the line was straight so the wire came out consistently.
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Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (LordAphotic)
how come people fail to mention that the liner in mig guns are mild steel? Isn't it true that once the aluminum wire comes in contact with the steel, you'll have contamination?
I have lincoln pro mig 175. I bought the optional aluminum welding kit and I plan to use it very shortly. I comes with a teflon liner, new drive wheels, and "super glazed" aluminum wire. I'll let you know how it works.
I have lincoln pro mig 175. I bought the optional aluminum welding kit and I plan to use it very shortly. I comes with a teflon liner, new drive wheels, and "super glazed" aluminum wire. I'll let you know how it works.
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From: Dont Steal My Car, Ct, USA
Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (small arm)
ive tried welding before, and im pretty good w/ that kind of stuff.
So i was pissed when everything turned out shitty.But im starting to think that it was the machines i was using(all Cheap)
So i was pissed when everything turned out shitty.But im starting to think that it was the machines i was using(all Cheap)
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From: Gastonia, NC, US
Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (small arm)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by small arm »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how come people fail to mention that the liner in mig guns are mild steel? Isn't it true that once the aluminum wire comes in contact with the steel, you'll have contamination?
I have lincoln pro mig 175. I bought the optional aluminum welding kit and I plan to use it very shortly. I comes with a teflon liner, new drive wheels, and "super glazed" aluminum wire. I'll let you know how it works.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No the liner will not contaminate for your application. What comes in the aluminum kit?
I have lincoln pro mig 175. I bought the optional aluminum welding kit and I plan to use it very shortly. I comes with a teflon liner, new drive wheels, and "super glazed" aluminum wire. I'll let you know how it works.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No the liner will not contaminate for your application. What comes in the aluminum kit?
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Re: Can this weld Aluminum? (93supercoupe)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93supercoupe »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ive tried welding before, and im pretty good w/ that kind of stuff.
So i was pissed when everything turned out shitty.But im starting to think that it was the machines i was using(all Cheap)</TD></TR></TABLE>
What do you mean your pretty good w/ that kind of stuff?
GMAW aluminum is quite different than steel. It is best to be pulse machine to pulse weld it. It can cause a lot of spatter and it wont turn out like a GTAW aluminum nor GMAW steel weld.
So i was pissed when everything turned out shitty.But im starting to think that it was the machines i was using(all Cheap)</TD></TR></TABLE>
What do you mean your pretty good w/ that kind of stuff?
GMAW aluminum is quite different than steel. It is best to be pulse machine to pulse weld it. It can cause a lot of spatter and it wont turn out like a GTAW aluminum nor GMAW steel weld.
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can you get away with C25 with aluminum at all? I'd rather not get a second tank at the moment, nor empty a full tank to get straight argon. In the future, how does striaght argon work on steel compared to C25? More or less tempermental?
I'm using a Miller 135 and it would be nice to get the versatility out of it. If all it took was running argo and swapping spools, I'd be happy.
I'm using a Miller 135 and it would be nice to get the versatility out of it. If all it took was running argo and swapping spools, I'd be happy.
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I can't say that I have ever tried 75/25 on alumimun but I don't recomend it. CO2 is a very dirty gas and aluminum has to be very clean.
With steel the argon cleans and protects the arc and CO2 helps penetrate.
You can't get a 75/25 tank filled with 100% argon. 100% argon cost more so you will have to get another tank.
Sorry, but you will have to run the different gases for each material.
With steel the argon cleans and protects the arc and CO2 helps penetrate.
You can't get a 75/25 tank filled with 100% argon. 100% argon cost more so you will have to get another tank.
Sorry, but you will have to run the different gases for each material.
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From: Fakeville, USA, USA
Re: (arcboy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arcboy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can't get a 75/25 tank filled with 100% argon. 100% argon cost more so you will have to get another tank.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Of course not, they are gonna just give you a different tank that is filled with argon.
Argon is cheaper than C25 for me.
Of course not, they are gonna just give you a different tank that is filled with argon.
Argon is cheaper than C25 for me.
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Re: (F20Cteg)
Can anyone tell me if this will weld aluminum?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811
It's a harbor freight tig, 220volt, 130 amp...I assume it will if the mig that this thread is about will right?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811
It's a harbor freight tig, 220volt, 130 amp...I assume it will if the mig that this thread is about will right?
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Re: (CivicVX94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicVX94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can anyone tell me if this will weld aluminum?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811
It's a harbor freight tig, 220volt, 130 amp...I assume it will if the mig that this thread is about will right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I see no A/C setting , there is a reason why good machines cost a lot of money.
That hobart one caught on fire on some guy in the apperance forum, hobart is not even a cheap brand though. Hobart I believe is a miller brand, now I'm not saying it was the machines fault, but just remember what you are putting on the line with a $100 machine
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91811
It's a harbor freight tig, 220volt, 130 amp...I assume it will if the mig that this thread is about will right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I see no A/C setting , there is a reason why good machines cost a lot of money.
That hobart one caught on fire on some guy in the apperance forum, hobart is not even a cheap brand though. Hobart I believe is a miller brand, now I'm not saying it was the machines fault, but just remember what you are putting on the line with a $100 machine
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Re: (RCautoworks)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RCautoworks »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I see no A/C setting , there is a reason why good machines cost a lot of money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I dont see this happening alot even my $2000 miller could experience this.
I see no A/C setting , there is a reason why good machines cost a lot of money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I dont see this happening alot even my $2000 miller could experience this.
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From: WA
Re: (MidShipCivic)
Just got this today, a little pricer than the HF, but worth it:
but I use this for the "good" jobs
I think they had a lower voltage one there for a similar price as that HF unit, probably still a better buy.
THe MIG is sitting on what was a "180 amp" HF welder. we borrowed it from my dads firehouse and it broke within 5 minutes of use. we opened it up and it obvious the quality of **** poor.
save money now and pay later, or pay now and be satisfied
but I use this for the "good" jobs
I think they had a lower voltage one there for a similar price as that HF unit, probably still a better buy.
THe MIG is sitting on what was a "180 amp" HF welder. we borrowed it from my dads firehouse and it broke within 5 minutes of use. we opened it up and it obvious the quality of **** poor.
save money now and pay later, or pay now and be satisfied
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Re: (k24em2)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You don't need AC to weld aluminum, it just works a lot better. The guy running that Hobart probably waaaaay exceeded the duty cycle and melted something down.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Any links to where I can find out the difference b/w ac and dc?
And does that mean that yes it can weld aluminum? I won't be using it for anything thick or very much so I just bought a cheap one
Any links to where I can find out the difference b/w ac and dc?
And does that mean that yes it can weld aluminum? I won't be using it for anything thick or very much so I just bought a cheap one