Normally just a lurker here, but my current project requires Al welding. I have a miller 211 MVP and an oxy/ace setup. Not sure if I should try to get setup with a spool gun or get a TIG welder. Not sure how capable a spool gun is. Everything I've read always seems to lean towards a TIG. Obviously money is a concern, hence why I'm looking at the PowerTIG 210 EXT. For the project, I need to weld on a V-band adapter to the compressor inlet on a turbo. The visual: Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by rb70383Normally just a lurker here, but my current project requires Al welding. I have a miller 211 MVP and an oxy/ace setup. Not sure if I should try to get setup with a spool gun or get a TIG welder. Not sure how capable a spool gun is. Everything I've read always seems to lean towards a TIG. Obviously money is a concern, hence why I'm looking at the PowerTIG 210 EXT. For the project, I need to weld on a V-band adapter to the compressor inlet on a turbo. The visual:
Reply:Tig for sure.Mig is better for long runs.
Reply:Where are you located?I’ll sell you my spoolgun for a 211 as I’ve never been successful using it for aluminum and would not attempt what you showed in the pictures. TIG is the way to go, in my opinion.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:One weld? How often have you needed aluminum welded in the past? Might be better off letting someone else weld it, that one weld might cost you 1 to 2k, trying to learn/do it yourself, if you don't make any mistakes
Reply:so your setting up a set of compounds or are ya planning on triples? unless ya already have some TIG experience this is a project to have a pro knock out for ya as if ya distort that housing or induce stress into it that compressor wheel is going to make contact at very high speed, I've also had bearings get outa alignment on the compressor after welding before as well.. I race cummins powered toys... the current ones running triples on a 6.7
Reply:Have you done any TIG welding on aluminum before? If not you're going to need to practice for quite some time before attempting this sort of job.Check out my bench vise website: http://mivise.comMiller Syncrowave 250DXMillermatic 350P with XR AlumaProMiller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3Hobart Champion EliteEverlast PowerTig 210EXT
Reply:No, never done any tig. Played with my oxy-ace setup if that counts. I might have to farm this one out to keep the project rolling. I do want to learn how to tig.No triples here. lol. Just a mid size set of compounds. 62/475 '05 dodge.What kind of "toys" are you running? Always nice to see others' projects. How much for the spool gun? I'm in Wa.Last edited by rb70383; 01-27-2020 at 02:22 AM.
Reply:IMHO to get nice welds on aluminium MIG you need to be 180 amps +for fine applications like that one, which needs to be leak free, use TIG. It's the only reliable way.
Reply:I've had a spool gun several years. I haven't used it yet. TIG does everything. I have a Miller 252 MIG machine, it'll peak out at 300 amps. I think of spool gun for big fabrication. My son wants to build a hydraulic tailgate, and a flatbed truck body. That'll be spool gun work. Little stuff & stuff you really want a pretty weld is TIG work. In both processes you need lots of amps to weld big aluminum.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by rb70383No, never done any tig. Played with my oxy-ace setup if that counts. I might have to farm this one out to keep the project rolling. I do want to learn how to tig.No triples here. lol. Just a mid size set of compounds. 62/475 '05 dodge.What kind of "toys" are you running? Always nice to see others' projects. How much for the spool gun? I'm in Wa.
Reply:For stuff on engines like manifolds, turbo adapters, pipes etc you'll never need more than 200 amps AC TIG, and you don't NEED a watercooled torch, just in case G-man is frightening you off with the cost and complexity
Reply:Ok to want to learn tig, but for this job farm it out, and make a friend to help you learn. Maybe the guy will let you practice with his equipment and guidance. You'll learn allot faster. Then buy equipment if you want.
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ersonally, I think running a spool gun is way easier than Tig welding aluminum!This is my spool gun on 16-GA aluminum. Attached ImagesDont pay any attention to meIm just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by rb70383No, never done any tig. Played with my oxy-ace setup if that counts. I might have to farm this one out to keep the project rolling. I do want to learn how to tig.No triples here. lol. Just a mid size set of compounds. 62/475 '05 dodge.What kind of "toys" are you running? Always nice to see others' projects. How much for the spool gun? I'm in Wa.
