Am thinking about buying some 1/16" ER4043 MIG wire for O/A

admin

I want to learn o/a welding of structural 6061 aluminum extrusions I have (1/8" thick and slightly less).  I'm thinking about buying some 1/16" 4043 MIG wire for use as sticks.  Saw a couple of videos where wire was used as the filler in an oxy/acet application.  In one post (I believe on WW) wire was twisted to give bulk and stiffness to the rod for control.  Anyone got any views on this approach?  Is 1/16 too large for a two strand  twisted filler rod?  Stiff enough to use alone?  Should I be looking at 0.30 or 0.35?Are Thermacote and Welco decent brands of 4043?Thanks, JerryLast edited by storeman; 02-13-2014 at 03:31 PM.Reason: Clarity30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:If you have to buy it just get the 36 inch TIG cut lengths of 4043 in either 3-32 or 1-8 inch. Price per pound should be roughly the same.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Thanks.  I reached the same conclusion and just bought 2 lbs of 1/8".  Looking forward to trying it in a week or do when things dry out/warm up.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:O/A of aluminum has always interested me. Please keep us posted on your progress.  Pictures too.  I've been to Tinman Tech and watched what videos are available.  I briefly considered the aluminum O/A package that they offer.Lincoln Precision TIG 185.Flex-Loc 150 torch.Super-Flex hose.Lincoln MIG 180.Victor Oxy/Act torch set.DeWalt Bandsaw with SWAG stand
Reply:Will do.  I'm going to start from a very coarse approach and see where it goes from there.  Have a lot of material to play with so maybe I'll learn something....even if what I learn is to give up.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press