aluminum welding to steel

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the welder that i got recently has a roll of aluminum wire in it. i was wondering what i would need to do to put the steel wire back in. it looks as though it has smooth drive rolls in it, do these need to be changed to the ones with teeth. also is the gun the same for aluminum as it is for steel. thanks for any help.
Reply:knurled drive rolls and a new liner in the gun - the gun is the same, but the teflon liner needs to be changed so you don't contaminate the steel wire and vise versaFire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:To add to Vipernuts' post, make sure you have the correct tip size, and you will be good to go. Like he said, change the sleeve, the rollers may be reversable; just remove the set pin, switch it around, and you are good to go.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:ok thanks for the info. i have new tips for the wire i will be using. but where can i get the teflon. i don't recall seeing it where i got my tips.
Reply:another thing. it was running gas before and i will be going to self-shielding wire. that means i have to change the polarity of the gun right.
Reply:Originally Posted by bwatkinsanother thing. it was running gas before and i will be going to self-shielding wire. that means i have to change the polarity of the gun right.
Reply:you can get a liner at any welding supply
Reply:If you're not going to be using it for aluminum you could just keep the liner that's in it and all you'll do is change the wire.  Unless you're going to a different dia. wire then change tip size too.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Did I miss it, or what is the machine in question?Most machines that get discussed here really don't need knurled drive rolls for steel, even FCAW, though it is usually recommended officially.  Try it with the smooth rolls first, assuming you have the right size.Also, a lot of guys never bothered with the aluminum liner, so make sure it has one before you go through all the trouble of swapping it out.  Welding steel through a liner that did a lot of aluminum isn't nearly as bad as trying to weld aluminum through a liner that's seen a bunch of steel.
Reply:it's lincoln sp-125. a few years old but got it for free and it works. the outside is dirty but you could eat off the inside. pretty well maintained.
Reply:Originally Posted by littlefuzzIf you're not going to be using it for aluminum you could just keep the liner that's in it and all you'll do is change the wire.  Unless you're going to a different dia. wire then change tip size too.
Reply:Originally Posted by bwatkinsit's lincoln sp-125. a few years old but got it for free and it works. the outside is dirty but you could eat off the inside. pretty well maintained.