Clarke 135TE/Euro Torch and Ali welding

[vijay]

Hi,

I'm a very occasional novice welder and rarely use my Clarke 135TE mig welder. I want to change that and I know I could do quite a few jobs if I could weld ali. I've read these articles http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/aluminium-setup.htm and http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/aluminium-welding.htm and also read that using a spool gun would make it even easier but I would have to adapt my machine to a euro torch fitting.

Has anyone welded ali with a 135te as standard or done any adaptions to be able to?

Thanks

Vijay

 

[shenion]

I have used my 130EN on aluminum with no problems.

Use 0.9mm 4043 wire or 0.8mm 5356 wire. 0.8mm 4043 is too soft to feed easily. Keep the torch lead straight (no tight bends.)

I did make a smooth feed roller as the knurled roughs up the wire but it worked with the standard one.

 

[vijay]

Thanks Scott. Did you use an oversized tip?

 

[shenion]

Yes, 1mm tip for 0.9mm, 0.9mm for 0.8mm.

 

[vijay]

what's the difference between 4043 and 5356 wire?

 

[shenion]

4043 is the most common with silicon, it is soft and flows easily.

5356 has magnesium, a bit stronger but more likely to crack when cooled.

The numbers are American designations, not sure of the UK equivalents.

I use 4043 as it is the easiest to use. 5356 has application on some alloys.

 

[vijay]

Brilliant Scott, thanks again

Just looking for 0.9mm 4043 wire and can't see it anywhere. It goes from 0.8 to 1.0, so should I be using the 1.0 with a larger tip?

 

[shenion]

0.9mm is the largest the Clarke's are designed to use.

0.8mm will work with a 0.9mm tip. I have used it.

I don't do aluminum on MIG anymore, too much fussing and besides, I have a TIG for that. Aluminum on MIG takes practice, usually on my small jobs, by the time i get the settings and technique right, I am done . Much more time fussing and test pieces than actual work.

 

[vijay]

Thanks again Scott, your answers have been really helpful.

Vijay