Guidance on setting up to weld aluminum ornamental fence

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My first post so...Hi All!! I purchased a Hobart 187 MIG welder a few years ago but I really have not used it. I messed around a little with some scrap pieces of mild steel and flux core, very very messy, and I learned that it will certainly take practice to do even reasonably nice work.Anyway..the reason for my post is that I have some aluminum ornamental fencing at my home and a couple areas need some small repairs. I have the gas hoses/regulator but I don't yet have any gas and I'm not really sure what gas I need. So my questions are below:1) What gas would I need to use to try to weld this aluminum fencing? (I believe from what I have read that I need 100% argon?) 2) Is there any gas that I could get that could serve double duty to do this aluminum fencing as well as mild steel?3) I'm guessing that I should buy a spool gun? I understand that trying to do aluminum without a spool gun is a bad idea?4) What type of wire roll should I buy? This fencing material is pretty thin.I really appreciate any help.Thanks in advance!
Reply:welcome   - argon is whats used in alu mig  - your welder is too small for alu mig hire someone who know whats there doing by the time you setup and play around it'll cost you probally 10x what a couple hrs of a rig welders time is worth to do the repairsHigh Octane Welding
Reply:Unfortunately, very thin aluminum + very low experience + spool gun = frustration.I'm all for learning new things, if you're serious about dropping money on a spool gun and learning how to do all this, it will take many hours (days) to get kinda good.Good takes weeks, awesome takes months or years or never (depending on the person).It's a great hobby, post pics of what you want to fix.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Your welder will work well on most aluminum fencing.  Answering your question depend on the type repairs you plan and volume of welding. Tacking ornaments, welding balusters, butt welding tubing...  Depending on how much repair work you might not need a spool gun.  Make sure all parts are aluminum not zinc.Practice is important .Good luck.Last edited by tapwelder; 03-07-2015 at 03:34 PM.
Reply:No gas and don't know what gas to useNo spool gun or aluminum kit for welderWants to weld aluminum and can't weld steelWell we all have to start some wereBut starting out in the major's before playing little league www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Tough bunch here,eh? You are probably not getting much support in trying this ,but trust me you are getting good advice. ....and welcome aboard!
Reply:Thanks for the replies and info. I really appreciate it.I just want to make a couple of small repairs to an existing fence. But eventually I have some small projects I'd like to do after I practice. I enjoy diy and already have my welder... I bought the welder brand new some years ago but I just have not had the time to get into this until now. I have sub'd out all the other stuff I've done but now I have more time so I'd like to give this a shot finally.I'm looking at this as a very long term investment so I have no problem spending the money on the spool gun, gas, etc. I will take a couple pics and post up what I want to fix. I basically have a couple of hinges for gates that broke off (interestingly they broke at the weld) and I want to repair two catches for my rolling gates.I plan to grab some scrap pieces of the same type of fencing material and practice on it before I try doing the repairs.So definitely, I will need the Argon then. Sounds like I could get away without the spool gun at least for these small repairs.What wire should I get? Would this be a good choice?: Hobart Aluminum MIG Welding Wire — 1-Lb. Spool, 0.035in., Model# H381808-R18Thanks again!