Aluminum Welding Problems

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I am trying to set up a spoolgun for aluminum welding.  I'm getting a lot of black oxidation and either burn through or chunking deposits.  Even with the feed-rate set very high, I'm still getting burn back into the tips. The argon tank still has about 600 psi and I'm getting good flow to the gun. I'm also carefully preping the AL prior to welding and have a good ground.I have another dedicated magnum sg spoolgun I use for steal and it works great.  I'm running a Lincoln Invertec V350 pro for both tig and mig.  With mig I run the guns through a K-488 spoolgun module.I'm not sure what to do at this point.  I am wondering if this is a polarity issue?  Is the polarity reversed when running aluminum in comparison to steal?Thanks for all replies.
Reply:Originally Posted by F40I am wondering if this is a polarity issue?  Is the polarity reversed when running aluminum in comparison to steel?.
Reply:The shielding gas is pure argon - no mix.  The wire is ER 4043 and I'm welding 6061 al.  What does DCEP stand for?
Reply:Think I just answered my own question about DCEP - direct current electrode positive?
Reply:YES electrode posative.  You also have to use a forehand method for aluminum.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I use a spoolgun for aluminum all day at work and this happens to me occasionally. Check to make sure the wire isn't arcing inside the gun, get a new tip, clean the little bit of liner, clean all of the dust out of the gun. If you're nearing the end of the spool of wire it could just be that that's where the wire is most curved and sometimes slight bends will get stuck at the drivewheelhttp://specific.net
Reply:I have a miller xr push pull system and have had arcing inside the gun also. Make sure the contact plate is in good condition. You may need to have a lubricating gel on the contact as well.Bill
Reply:I got her working good now.  I cleaned up the inside of the gun and put on a new tip.  I also adjusted the gas shielding nozzel and increased the gass flow and gass pre-flow.  What a difference!  Thanks for all the replies.