aluminium welding

[ryanjafc]

i'm new to welding aluminium and looking for a new welder to do so.

Type of work ill be doing is basically repairing ali parts on my quad and maybe a little fabrication to them.

What type of welder am i looking for? I't won't be used allot so I'm trying to keep the price down(ish)

Iv'e done a bit of welding but never with ali.

Can anyone recommend a decent one or point me in the right direction for what I'm after?

Thanks.

 

[Kent]

A TIG with an AC setting IE an AC /DC TIG set. Frankly before anyone says MIG it is not in my experience up to things like Quad repairs in Ali. Cost? a fair bit more than a guy might wish to spend who isn't taking in any paid work with it, upwards of £1000 to three times that depending

 

[ryanjafc]

Thanks. That is a bit pricey for not getting paid work for it. I'll look at getting a decent second hand one.

It won't be used a great deal so for me it wouldn't be worth spending that kind of money on a new one.

 

[Richard.]

^^^^^ what he said.
Don't be tempted into these 3,4,500 pound heaps. They will cost you more in the long run.
The Alu parts on your quad will probably be cast Alu? This is not the same as aluminium sheet and is horrible to weld. Need a good machine with good stable arc and good balance/frequency control.

 

[Richard.]

Thanks. That is a bit pricey for not getting paid work for it. I'll look at getting a decent second hand one.

It won't be used a great deal so for me it wouldn't be worth spending that kind of money on a new one.

Good acdc tigs are very sought after. You'll still spend at least a grand on a good branded one and not a lot less on an ok branded one.

 

[ryanjafc]

Thanks for the input guys, I'ts tubing for bumpers and foot guards, so not sure if its cast?

I'm in no rush as of yet, had a little search and a decent new one for what i would need is circa £1000.

I'll hang on and hope to find a good 2nd hand one.

 

[Richard.]

They do pop up cheap from time to time but you need to be sharp.

 

[ryanjafc]

This a good buy for what i need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291261362213?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Richard.]

This a good buy for what i need?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291261362213?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Yes it is. That will do you fine

 

[Richard.]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/321709670265?nav=SEARCH
Spend an extra £100 and get this. This is cheap for what it is and a lot better quality than the RTech.

 

[Jim Davey]

Make an offer right away, you might get the better machine for almost the same money.
If you need a pedal for it let me know, I'm sure I can help you out.

 

[ryanjafc]

If i was to buy either one of these tig's, is it better for me to get rid of my Mig welder? it's a sealey supermig 180. Surely all my future welding could be done with the tig? I will never be welding anything over 4mm thickness.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Mig is faster and is also easier on dirty metal and out of position welds. Ideally you would want both.

 

[Richard.]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/311328369588?nav=SEARCH
Even better machine. Worth keeping an eye on it as a lot of people tend to forget about ewm when looking for a good brand. I say it should be one of the first to consider. This may come under budget if your lucky.

 

[Richard.]

Keep the mig if you can. There are times when the flexibility and speed of mig will come in handy. I only have Tig and mma and there are occasions when I really think a mig would do this so much easier. All processes have pros and cons and been able to cover as many as possible opens more doors.

 

[norlander]

If i was to buy either one of these tig's, is it better for me to get rid of my Mig welder? it's a sealey supermig 180. Surely all my future welding could be done with the tig? I will never be welding anything over 4mm thickness.

No, keep the MIG.You may need to fabricate stuff up in m/s or make jigs etc, you may need to make a bench and welding trolley for the TIG etc. TIG can be fiddly, and TIG welding away from sitting down at a bench is tricky.
Soon as you get rid of the MIG, you'll find you need it.

 

[Windy Miller]

No, keep the MIG.You may need to fabricate stuff up in m/s or make jigs etc, you may need to make a bench and welding trolley for the TIG etc. TIG can be fiddly, and TIG welding away from sitting down at a bench is tricky.
Soon as you get rid of the MIG, you'll find you need it.

Very sound advice!

 

[Jim Davey]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/311328369588?nav=SEARCH
Even better machine. Worth keeping an eye on it as a lot of people tend to forget about ewm when looking for a good brand. I say it should be one of the first to consider. This may come under budget if your lucky.

I like the airline fitting cobbled on as a quick release gas connector.
Keep an eye out but I'd actually go for the 207 over the 180 EWM myself.

 

[Wallace]

Don't forget the cost of consumables on top of buying the Tig can make your eyes water in comparison to the Mig.