Passport Plus welding aluminum

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Thinking about adding the spool gun for some up coming work.  This will be 1/16 and 1/8 alum stock.  We don't have a tig and I normally would just use a gas rig but we will have a fair amount of this work coming and I really like the machine (when I've used it).  Pictures settings and position would be great.    On a side note do most of you guys run it on mix at the shop or big co2 tank?  I understand this unit to be designed to run co2 and of course it's cheap so we just run that.  It seems to burn in every bit as hot as our old Miller 200, at least to me.
Reply:If you are gonna weld aluminum you need 100% argon.
Reply:Ya sorry I wasn't clear, I was talking about steel when I mentioned the c02 or mix gas set up.  I understand 100% argon is standard for aluminum.
Reply:Not necessarily.........It is common practice to weld aluminum with DC- and helium....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Helium is used some but certainly not the STANDARD.  That's why I don't hardly ever get on the net and put something on a forum or help other folks on boards like this.  Some loud mouth will try and take the opposite side just to make himself the know it all.  I didn't say it was the only way but pick up the phone and call 1000 welding shops and ask what gas they use when mig welding aluminium (which is what we are talking about) and see what they say.
Reply:if your doing aluminum repairs mig or tig how do you know what alloy of aluminum your welding on.   So obviously the next question is there a better "all around wire" for aluminum repairs, i have done years of aluminum mig and some tig welding.   The problem was in school and at work it was never discussed that there are different alloys of aluminum and these are the characteristics.   or if they needed to be welded differently.  i was simply given parts and print and i welded them with what i was given.only now because of the internet am i able to look up info as needed.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:Originally Posted by Metal Pounder2Helium is used some but certainly not the STANDARD.  That's why I don't hardly ever get on the net and put something on a forum or help other folks on boards like this.  Some loud mouth will try and take the opposite side just to make himself the know it all.  I didn't say it was the only way but pick up the phone and call 1000 welding shops and ask what gas they use when mig welding aluminium (which is what we are talking about) and see what they say.
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CNot necessarily.........It is common practice to weld aluminum with DC- and helium....
Reply:Whatever......I must have made a mistake......I thought this was a welders forum?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by Metal Pounder2Thinking about adding the spool gun for some up coming work.  This will be 1/16 and 1/8 alum stock.  We don't have a tig and I normally would just use a gas rig but we will have a fair amount of this work coming and I really like the machine (when I've used it).  Pictures settings and position would be great.    On a side note do most of you guys run it on mix at the shop or big co2 tank?  I understand this unit to be designed to run co2 and of course it's cheap so we just run that.  It seems to burn in every bit as hot as our old Miller 200, at least to me.
Reply:hmmmmmmm  Good Job Ed........You get the pie.......Opps   sorry all gone...........Last edited by B_C; 04-01-2011 at 01:55 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CWhatever......I must have made a mistake......I thought this was a welders forum?
Reply:Hey Im old Ed.......LMAO   Don't guys use some helium mix when they MIG weld alum....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:http://www.ehow.com/way_5544959_can-...-aluminum.htmlJust trying to help the guy with a smaller machine get the job done.......Wasn't meant to be  a "BIG MOUTH"  lolLast edited by B_C; 04-01-2011 at 02:07 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHey Im old Ed.......LMAO   Don't guys use some helium mix when they MIG weld alum....
Reply:I like my sammies with lots of mayo on em.....Have a good day and enjoy the weather we have here in Ca....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by Metal Pounder2Thinking about adding the spool gun for some up coming work.  This will be 1/16 and 1/8 alum stock.  We don't have a tig and I normally would just use a gas rig but we will have a fair amount of this work coming and I really like the machine (when I've used it).  Pictures settings and position would be great.    On a side note do most of you guys run it on mix at the shop or big co2 tank?  I understand this unit to be designed to run co2 and of course it's cheap so we just run that.  It seems to burn in every bit as hot as our old Miller 200, at least to me.
Reply:Brian,How thin have you used your passport on(aluminium)?  If I can get it to look like that, and have good penetration, I would be happy.  Do you like the flow better when using 75/25?  I sure like the price of the big co2 tank but have never ran mine on mix to see the difference for myself.    I used the little passport some more today on a small job that was on location and the thing just amazes me on 110 power.  I'm saving for a bigger mill and just didn't want to put money into the spool gun and have it not be able to do what I need.    I use my Henrob torch for basically anything that isn't mild steel.  Any pictures of the passport on thin alum would really be cool.  How do I post pictures on here?
Reply:Originally Posted by Metal Pounder2Brian,How thin have you used your passport on(aluminium)?  If I can get it to look like that, and have good penetration, I would be happy.  Do you like the flow better when using 75/25?  I sure like the price of the big co2 tank but have never ran mine on mix to see the difference for myself.    I used the little passport some more today on a small job that was on location and the thing just amazes me on 110 power.  I'm saving for a bigger mill and just didn't want to put money into the spool gun and have it not be able to do what I need.    I use my Henrob torch for basically anything that isn't mild steel.  Any pictures of the passport on thin alum would really be cool.  How do I post pictures on here?
Reply:I wanted to give an update.  I went ahead and bought the spool gun for the pp.  Man have I been missing that for a LONG time.  For clean work it is just the way to go for what I'm doing right now.  No pre heat and man is it fast.  I don't think it can hang with my gas rigs on this alum but for 1/8" there is no comparison.  I don't have any 1/16" to do today but will post back when I do.  I even tried it on 110 volt and it was maxed out but worked great.  My only comment is the bead is taller than I'd like it to look.  Cut a few sticks apart and had 100% pen.  I'm sure I'll be able to get it to run down a bit with some trigger time.    For settings I'm running 7/95 .030 4043.
Reply:theres only two reasons to use helium to get a little more heat from your welderor to save a little money on gas
Reply:Originally Posted by ed mactheres only two reasons to use helium to get a little more heat from your welderor to save a little money on gas
Reply:Wow..........  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock