welding aluminum with Lincoln 180C

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I just bought the spoolgun for my Lincoln 180C.What kind of results can I expect welding 14 gauge aluminum square tubing. I am not able to get a nice bead.Material is clean,but I am not sure of its alloy. Is this setup capable for this job or am I in need of other equipment? I have read all that I can find about this process and other than more practice any helpful hints? Thanks..John W...JW714
Reply:Picts? Settings? Wire size, wire speed, heat settings, gas used? Info please? You're not giving us much to work with here.That machine should weld 14g alum. It won't be easy, but it's in the range of that machine. You probably need to set the heat at or near max, alum needs the amps. Same with wire speed, you should be almost 2x what you'd use with steel, so you should be a 3/4 to max depending on your heat setting. Alum needs to be clean. Wire brush the surfaces to be welded with a SS brush to break up the oxides just before welding. The natural alum oxide layer that forms will melt at a higher temp than the bare alum.  wipe the cleaned are down with acetone to remove any oil and let dry before welding. DO NOT USE BREAK CLEANER! You will need to push the gun, use 100% argon and move FAST. Small tube like 1" will be a PITA because the moment you start you'd almost already be done.Also don't expect the "tig like" look to the welds. Not going to happen on alum this thin with mig.Last edited by DSW; 08-02-2010 at 12:58 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the reply DSW, I set my wire speed and volts to the inside cover specs.I think it was 4 WS and H voltage......However I only had 20cfm on my 100% argon.Since increasing my gas and holding near vertical on the spoolgun I am now getting satisfactory performance from this setup.Thanks ....John W...JW714