What alloy filler wire?

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I have a 215 Italian Fimmer mig set that will pulse and get into spray transfer if required,I am wanting to try mig welding aluminium (1/8" thick) or so, I have a reel of 5356 or is this just for alloys containing magnesium, Or will it be OK for standard aluminium too. Many thanks,Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:Hey Gordon,I use 5356 for 90% of the production runs, crafts, & general aluminum repairs. You must be mindful that any application that has a probablility of exceeding 150*, you should switch to 4043. Being a bit stronger, 5356 can be problematic with cracking if your setup is not predetermined by testing on samples. Since almost all of my alum. is 6061, 5356 welds beautifully, both TIG & MIG. Bear in mind that, as ALWAYS, aluminum HAS to be clean.....almost germ-free, to get good fill & penetration. There are a couple other grades available that you can try also. Lot of good info on Ed Craigs website.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Thanks for that Denny,  No specific job planned at the moment,Just trying to practice a new skill, Thanks again,Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:keep your whip straight clean clean oh clean ---it can be doneidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:If you are using a regular (push) MIG gun as opposed to a spool gun, 5356 is much easier to feed than 4043. It works well for most 5000 and 6000 series alloys, but you may want to look at the wire manufacturers' spec sheets if you have a specific alloy to match. ESAB and Lincoln have lots of info on their sites.Here in the US, 6061 is the most common Aluminum alloy and 5356 is what I mostly use.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:I am using a regular mig torch with teflon liner, The Fimmer machine has a lovely 4 roll wire feeder with all 4 rolls gear driven so hoping it will feed ok.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:I had a bunch of problems trying 4043 and 5356 from a shortened Miller gun with a Teflon liner.  It fed fine, but for some reason, no matter what wire speed, the wire would melt back and fuse to the tip.   I bought another 25 tips and plan to keep playing.  I think it has to do with post flow gas.  I used 100% Argon.   My spool gun with the same settings and wire welded much much better.  I think it's part of the reason the spool gun has a two stage trigger and a 4" tip instead of a 1-1/4" inch one.  Please post back your results.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255It fed fine, but for some reason, no matter what wire speed, the wire would melt back and fuse to the tip.   I bought another 25 tips and plan to keep playing.
Reply:Gordon,5356 will work fine with most common aluminum alloys.  It is stiffer and will feed better thru a standard whip than 4043.5356 does require a higher WFS than does 4043.  Because of the higher magnesium content in 5356, there is a higher melt-off rate.  Using a WFS for 4043 could result in a burnback into the tip.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Try increasing your stick out just a bit with the aluminum.  Even with the longer tipped SM-1/2/3 spoolgun if you're too close it'll melt to the tip.