Stick Weld Aluminum, any stick machine, no gas

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I have heard a lot of poo-pooing the concept of stick welding aluminum on this forum.  A couple of recent items involved Craigslist ads offered up as comedy. Check this:Stick welding aluminum: ESAB 34 stick aluminum welding rod; Any stick welder will work with this electrode.http://www.airgas.com/content/detail...=7000000000037Limited info but it points to ESAB 34 Electrodes.  I am not so sure about the "any stick welder will work" part.   Other info suggests this rod is for DC reverse only:http://datasheets.globalspec.com/ds/...3-FA4773CB5251Complete datasheet available if you register.There is this item also:ZENA® NO-Gas All Aluminum Arc Welding RodsUse Your Arc Welder to Weld Aluminum! Now you can weld aluminum anywhere you can arc weld, even in poor conditions, without the need for a MIG or TIG torch, special welding wire, hoses, regulators, or expensive and heavy gas bottles.http://www.zena.net/htdocs/welders/Rods/Aluminum.shtmlMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Whew, thanks for posting when you did. I almost wasted my money buying a tig welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by dallas_Whew, thanks for posting when you did. I almost wasted my money buying a tig welder.
Reply:Well I was just joking, since you said you posted that as comedy.
Reply:I keep a box of aluminum stick rods on my truck for quick dirty repairs on dump trailers, and stuff like that. They dont work half bad, you just need to wash off the slag when you are done because it is corrosive.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I have never tried them on AC, might have to play around and see if they stay lit.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I've played with them a little bit, they burn up fast! Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I played with them too, fast is a understatement, it's a welding drag race  not that bad tho, they would bail you out big time if you were in a jam or stuck somewhere  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Back in the day, that's ALL we usedMiller 252Miller Bobcat 225Lincoln MigPak 1801959 Hyster forkliftHarris OA torch
Reply:Hi, that's a very interesting weld method.I have always thought that welding alluminium needed it hot and quick.....the weld here proves that to me.Alluminium soaks up the heat and if you have a broad heat source you get a massive melt zone and collapse........it looks like the instant heat at the rod tip from the arc supplies this quick heat source before the ally can get saturated.That being the case I would expect Mig welding Ally to be good, as it has the same characteristics at the wire tip when it hits the job.....instant heat up and move on.I would also think one of the main reasons many people have trouble tigging Alluminium is because they tend to keep the tig arc in one place on the puddle too long and end up with badly corroded (burnt) and oxidised metal that won't form a puddle once it's gone all claggy.The other difference is the stick welding rods are coated with some flux.....don't know the composition, might be the same stuff you dip the filler rod in for gas welding, but as Tig uses Argon, maybe the flux is the better choice.I wonder if the stick alluminium rods could be used with Tig without Argon, as they already have a flux coating and only need the heat.....just thinking......if I can get some I might give it a try.Ian.
Reply:Originally Posted by puddytatI wonder if the stick alluminium rods could be used with Tig without Argon, as they already have a flux coating and only need the heat.....just thinking......if I can get some I might give it a try.Ian.