argon gas go bad???

[jetpylot333]

I haven't used my mig with spoolmate in 5 months, and I just took off the c02 and put on the argon for welding some aluminum, and I'm using 4043 .30 wire and it just won't work ,it just turns the wire to a little ball and red flames comes out the end? Anybody have any suggestions. Could it be the aluminum angle material I'm welding doing it. Need quick suggestions its a weekend home project??? thanks

 

[malcolm]

The wire speed for aluminium needs to be double the speed for the equivalent steel wire at the same voltage setting. That should stop it from balling up and spraying arc all around the place. You'll probably find the torch travel speed needs to be about twice as fast too. Heat sinks are your friend if the aluminium is thin.

 

[jetpylot333]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

 

[jetpylot333]

mig problem

I have millermatic 140 with autoset. Using .30 4043 wire, also using %100 argon at 20lbs. And welding 1/8 aluminum. I have the settings on 10 for the power and 10 for the wire speed.
I have grinded the surface and cleaned with alcohol. And I still have the problem of the wire balling at the tip and melting it. and it sends red flames out the end of the spoolgun. Does anyone have anymore suggests???

 

[shenion]

The "Autoset" is for steel. Aluminum needs twice the wire speed.

If you use 5356 wire, it will need a slower wire speed and may be within the range you can set. It will also feed a lot easier.

 

[fingers99]

So far it sounds like a feed issue (what size tip are you using, btw? Needs to be bigger than the wire).

But note that some alluminium alloys cannot be welded -- at least, by conventional means.

 

[jetpylot333]

I think you are right with the alloy answer. I have welded much bigger stuff withe same set-up with no problems. And this is some scrap I got at the shop that no one marked after storing it. I just ran a bead on a piece of 3/8 6061 and it looks fine. Thanks evewrybody. I guess I will have to tig it tomorrow at work.