Spool Gun and training

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Thinking about getting a spool gun for my MM180 but I don't know squat about welding alum. I am a hobby welder and would love to find some type of training. The only welding courses I have seen are $400 for 30 hours (not bad really for the type of education you get) but I would like to learn on my own time when I have the time. Any distance ed material out in the world for Mig in general and Alum specifically?"I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.""I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."
Reply:Hey Bryan,Welding AL is not difficult, especially with a spoolgun, and you simply just need to do some homework(books) and some research on the manufacturers sites, Amazon for good books, and some Googleing. Basically, it is another world, and the main parameter for AL is the absolute cleanliness that has to be maintained for optimum results. The technique for sound welds will be produces with much practice, especially learning the heat/wirefeed curves that are necessary and the types of wire, ie.,1100, 4043, 5356, 5556 that are mainly used. For my multiple production crafts I make, I use MIG for the cost-effective ease, and TIG for the expensive auto accessories I make. A spoolgun make welding AL quite a bit easier and really reduces the "birdnesting" effect of the softer AL wire. Your 180 will do up to 3/16" fairly easy, but anything over that would require a heavier amperage welder. Basically, be mindful of cleanliness and as much practice as you can muster.....it will come. I'm sure you will receive many suggestions....consider them all, learn, read, and practice, practice, practice. Good luck.....  DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:It's not that bad especially with a spool gun (as yorki stated)...a tip I got ....at first turn the ws up more and come back down....if you are too slow with it you will burn up a tip.......and from my own observation and practice mig welding al is like pushing it with a hair drier in a circular motion get the sg a bottle of 100 % argon and have at it......if you don't like it you can still use the sg for solid, FC and s/s wire to get more reach.....Mike
Reply:hi, I should be getting my 30A spoolgun this week, I can't wait to tray aluminum. I was told by people who have experience that you should pre-heat the aluminum, then clean it very well remove any dirt and just when you think it is clean enough, clean it again..... the rest I'm told comes with practice.I'll let you know how I make out, I am interested to know how you do as well. I will see if I can post some photo's of my attempts.Guy_48Welding is an art......Millermatic 252Lincoln SP175PlusLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Why is it that my 180 can do 1/4" mild steel yet only 3/16 alum? you would think that it would be the other way around seeing as you can burn thru alum really easy with little heat. I have brazed alum quite allot but never anything more than fixing holes in coils at work. (I am a Refrigeration Mechanic so I know my way around brazing materials)"I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.""I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."
Reply:al is used as a heat sinc for a reason...it will disipate heat quickly....
Reply:Well after some digging (dont know why it took me more than five min to find) I found that my 180 with do 1/4" ALNice "I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.""I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."
Reply:Don't preheat it unless you really, really have to.Also, don't do a circular motion.
Reply:Forehand only, Lots of Argon, Like 30 to 35 cfh.Show us pics  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by turboblown......Also, don't do a circular motion.
Reply:Turbo ...... nothing?
Reply:Go to ESABUS.com  they have a lot of good cources on mig al.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:I made a stop into one of my many local wholesalers and had a chat with one of the counter guys. cleared up allot of things for sure. Now he mentioned two different wire types (not size) depending on the alum to be welded. How does a guy determine what alum he is dealing with if its not material you ordered? How do you know what wire to load?Why is it that most alum welds I see are never ground down? does it have to do with reheating and loosing strength?"I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.""I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."
Reply:Originally Posted by Bryan LI made a stop into one of my many local wholesalers and had a chat with one of the counter guys. cleared up allot of things for sure. Now he mentioned two different wire types (not size) depending on the alum to be welded. How does a guy determine what alum he is dealing with if its not material you ordered? How do you know what wire to load?
Reply:I rarely grind any of my welds.  They make aluminum wheels for preparing aluminum.  They do not load up and do not put aluminum oxide into the base metal you are trying to weld (bad thing).4043 is pure aluminum.  5356 is sort of an alloy in aluminum terms.  I was told if it goes down the road, use 5356.  I have both, but which to use is totally job dependent.One or the other cannot be anodized, so that sometimes makes the choice for you.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:On the torch motion issue, use whatever torch motion you like.   Straight forward, weaved, backstepped, circles, etc are all fine with aluminum mig.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op