- Thread starter men8ifr
- Start date
- Messages
- 17,555
For alu wire you need to fit a teflon liner and ideally the next size tip up from the wire size you're using.
1.2mm alu wire? What machine are you going to run that through? I'd imagine that'll need a fair few amps to use successfully. I think you'll struggle to find a contact tip to suit too.
1.2mm alu wire? What machine are you going to run that through? I'd imagine that'll need a fair few amps to use successfully. I think you'll struggle to find a contact tip to suit too.
- Messages
- 17,555
Teflon liners are best for alu, the wire can slip through easier. I dare say you could run it through a good steel liner but any hint of friction will cause big problems and drive you mad. Don't forget how soft alu wire is 
.
SIP's are notoriously bad for feeding issues, anything you can do to alleviate them is worth it.
.SIP's are notoriously bad for feeding issues, anything you can do to alleviate them is worth it.
I've ordered some 1mm so will see how I get on with that. I think it's 4043 though not 100% sure..
Why would I want a 150amp machine? The problem I had with 0.8 wire was too much power the wire was burning back to the tip with the lowest power setting and max wire speed. I think I'm missing something here....
Please bear in mind I'm a beginner at this though can make reasonable steel welds when pushed...
Why would I want a 150amp machine? The problem I had with 0.8 wire was too much power the wire was burning back to the tip with the lowest power setting and max wire speed. I think I'm missing something here....
Please bear in mind I'm a beginner at this though can make reasonable steel welds when pushed...
- Messages
- 17,555
I really think you'll be wasting your time trying it with that litle SIP, alu sucks the heat away like nobody's business, you need a fair few amps to get the pool started then you go like mad to keep up and avoid blowing through. If your wire is burning back before it's touching the plate on it's lowest power setting then it doesn't sound good at all, I'd expect it to just coil up and melt on the surface without penetrating 
.
I can't think of anyone on here who uses a small mig for alu and has had good results. I've tried it unsuccessfully on my 220A butters. I know with a bit of practice and fettling it will do it but I can't be bothered with all that for the poor looking results it will give me.
.I can't think of anyone on here who uses a small mig for alu and has had good results. I've tried it unsuccessfully on my 220A butters. I know with a bit of practice and fettling it will do it but I can't be bothered with all that for the poor looking results it will give me.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
- Messages
- 7,586
- Location
- Stone Mountain, GA USA
Because aluminum wire is about 3x as conductive as steel wire. So it will draw much more power. It will kill cheap MIGs.
I tried it on my Clarke 130 and wanted a bit more power to help prevent cold starts.
