aluminum mig for dump truck floor question

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hi,I have to weld a piece of 5052 1/4 thick plate in the floor of a triaxle.....i have a 30A spool gun....the only filler I have used in this was 4043.....im sure I need to use 5356......abrasion, etc.   correct??i had tried this filler once to fabricate a aluminum tubing structure for a boat.....my test went to crap and I did it with the 4043....what would be some good starting parameters to go with......im gonna use .035 diameter wire.....the base plate was 3/16 5052.....now worn down some, to maybe 1/8so, some voltage and wirespeed..........I can make the 4043 come out very nice......I dont know why the 5356 went wrong.....I know it doesnt run like 4043....also, I have about 23 feet of welding......how many pounder spools should I get??thanks, rich
Reply:rich,This chart here will help you with picking the right filler rod for a particular alloy.  Looks to me like 5356 (with 5183 being a close second) is your best choice for this application.http://www.alcotec.com/us/en/support...ller-Chart.pdf
Reply:thanks..........i just wanna know why it ran so crappy the only time I tried.........but, as I get older Im losing patience which isnt good for a welder ( or wanna be like me)......and yes, Ive always used alcotec........I went to a 2 day seminar for aluminum a dozen years ago and WOW, I didnt know about aluminum oxide......and we only actually welded with 4043, mig and tig....thanks, rich
Reply:Clean, clean, clean.  Otherwise it runs better for me..Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:got any settings........035 dia. for 1/4 thick.....??.........23v 740 ipm??
Reply:Originally Posted by welderdawggot any settings........035 dia. for 1/4 thick.....??.........23v 740 ipm??
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956dawg,I think 740 ipm sounds way high.   I'd guess it be down closer to the 400 to 450 range.   One thing about 5356 wire is you can't run it to hot or you'll just burn out more of the Mg in it and get more of that smut.  In that regard 4043 is a lot more forgiving.Wish I could give you some hard fast numbers to set it at but I almost always have to have my hands on the equipment and be able to run some test beads on scrap while playing with the dials before I can get it dialed in.
Reply:Aluminum in a triaxle? Never seen anything other than steel.Craftsman 90 amp Arc welder
Reply:got it done..........about 22v and 650ipm.........worked great unless a wind gust or the base material was worn thinner than bologna........
Reply:Originally Posted by welderdawggot it done..........about 22v and 650ipm.........worked great unless a wind gust or the base material was worn thinner than bologna........
Reply:I realize you've completed the job but you might find this http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...calculator.php helpful next time along with the alloy chart that HT2-4956 posted.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:ran miller 30A spool gun off millermatic 251 with digital wire feed display...alcotec's parameters for .035 5356....for 1/4 inch....was 23v 740 ipm.....something like that...