I need to learn how to weld Aluminum.

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I saw a guy on YouTube brazing aluminum with an Oxy/Acetylene set and some Alumiweld Rod from Harbor Freight and to me it looked like the perfect solution for a guy who doesn’t have a TIG welder available. I don’t know how strong it actually is, but I have stuff at home that needs repaired all the time and when it comes to Aluminum, I’m just out of luck, so I think I’m going to buy some of this stuff and check it out.Once I broke an aluminum tool and I took it to a welding shop to repair and the guy said it cost $100 just to warm up his TIG welder. Well the tool only cost $60 at the time and I don’t know if the guy was lying to me or not so I just bought a new tool.Anyway, I’m doing some resource now to see how much it will cost me to buy a small TIG Welder to use at home. I have no idea what I need, but I’m on a limited budget because it will just be for my own use and I don't know how much I will actually using it. However if it were to have a good resale value in case i ever have to sell it, I wouldn't mind paying a little more. I just have so many tools that I paid a lot of money for that aren't worth much now.  Years ago I bought a bottle of argon gas and a roll of .035” 4043 alloy aluminum wire for my Lincoln Pro Mig135 as discussed (here), but I could not find the required #K663-2 Aluminum Feed Kit, so I never did get it working.Any guidance will be appreciated.
Reply:http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8Going the Tig route just isn't cheap- even a "Cheap" import will set you back almost a grand, coul be more with shipping the machine back and forth for warranty :0Or look for a used machine on CL Sych 250 or a LincolnIf you'll only be doing thin gauge you could get away with a Diversion 165 or 180Where abouts in the High Desert are you?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8Going the Tig route just isn't cheap- even a "Cheap" import will set you back almost a grand, coul be more with shipping the machine back and forth for warranty :0Or look for a used machine on CL Sych 250 or a LincolnIf you'll only be doing thin gauge you could get away with a Diversion 165 or 180Where abouts in the High Desert are you?
Reply:http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/3069922233.htmlprobably need 100amp Input though Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by sleeperThanks, I’m in Antelope Valley. Do you think if I found the Lincoln Aluminum Feed Kit, that it would be worthwhile to use it instead of buying a Tig?  I just did a search and found one on eBay for $70.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/3069922233.htmlprobably need 100amp Input though
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Not really- the 120v machines just don't have enough power for Aluminum and you have to keep the Gun really really straight since the Wire is so soft.You might get OK results but w/o a spoolgun it is just a PIA. But again, even if you had a spoolgun the 135 just doesn't have enough power for working anything above 16g and anything thinner is just down right HARD with any MIG machine( yeah you could use a MM350p with pulse
Reply:I spent a lot of time looking for a small TIG to use at home and I’m exhausted, so I’m no longer going that route. I guess I’m stuck with the Alumiweld Rod from Harbor Freight unless there is another way besides a TIG or a spool gun.
Reply:stick welding with aluminum rod is also an option, Rick V did a whole bunch of stuff on a couple thread about them.   I don't know if he has tried again since competing his Stick welding class now he can get a decent bead down.  i tried them too but unless its thick aluminum you are welding and you can stick weld decently, don't bother.    A hot start stick welder really helps with those rods too.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawstick welding with aluminum rod is also an option, Rick V did a whole bunch of stuff on a couple thread about them.   I don't know if he has tried again since competing his Stick welding class now he can get a decent bead down.  i tried them too but unless its thick aluminum you are welding and you can stick weld decently, don't bother.    A hot start stick welder really helps with those rods too.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawstick welding with aluminum rod is also an option, Rick V did a whole bunch of stuff on a couple thread about them.  ...
Reply:This rod welding aluminum video is really funny, welding aluminum with stick is not the best thing in the world, but look at the hand movement the guy does during welding, wtf??Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:See Rick V threads herehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...light=aluminumhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...light=aluminumDo us a favor and don't bring them back to life by posting in them... heh..  Also all of Rick's welds in those threads were done prior to his class http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=welding+classTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by LayoutManThis rod welding aluminum video is really funny, welding aluminum with stick is not the best thing in the world, but look at the hand movement the guy does during welding, wtf??
Reply:Originally Posted by LayoutManThis rod welding aluminum video is really funny, welding aluminum with stick is not the best thing in the world, but look at the hand movement the guy does during welding, wtf??
Reply:Your better options might just be aluminum brazing.  Here's a thread on various means of brazing aluminum.  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=46803Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Here ya go, http://durafix.com/  and only $45/lb ...   I nominate Rick to buy some and test them out for us.  they have to be some kind of Solder as they melt at 732*FTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Those low temp aluminum rods are mostly zinc... I covered most all that in my referenced thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=46803Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VThose low temp aluminum rods are mostly zinc... I covered most all that in my referenced thread http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=46803