Aluminum MIG question...

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I am very new at welding, and recently purchased a Hobart 140, 115Vwelding machine like the guy Zapster owns, but I am having trouble welding aluminum.I tried to find the same model that he has, but I couldn't. I think the one I bought is very close, because it is a hobart. I have seen pictures of his welds and they look like the best ones ever!  I have been trying very hard, but I cant make mine look the same as his. I think I need to use more acetone.I have been trying to dump acetone on the metal before I weld it, but it seems to evaporate very fast. I was think about making an "acetone injector" to add acetone as I am welding. Perhaps by using a pump, and attaching a hose directly to the welding gun. I would turn it on and pump acetone on the metal right in front of the arc so it wont evaporate so fast.  Do you think I should mist it or just squirtit on the metal.Do you guys think it will work? Will it make my aluminum welds look better? I'd appreciate any help. I really dont want to ask Zapster until I get better, because I will be embarassed.Thanks,Slagpit.
Reply:Acetone is flammable.  The reason to use it is to clean the metal.  It's not some magical weld additive.  Just wipe the metal down with it before welding, this cleans any dirt, grease, oils, etc off the metal.  Before starting a weld on Al, use a stainless steel wire brush to clean the oxide layer off the metal were you are going to weld.  If you want your welds to look nicer, you're going to have to practice and improve you technique.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlagpitI am very new at welding, and recently purchased a Hobart 140, 115Vwelding machine like the guy Zapster owns, but I am having trouble welding aluminum.I tried to find the same model that he has, but I couldn't. I think the one I bought is very close, because it is a hobart. I have seen pictures of his welds and they look like the best ones ever!  I have been trying very hard, but I cant make mine look the same as his. I think I need to use more acetone.I have been trying to dump acetone on the metal before I weld it, but it seems to evaporate very fast. I was think about making an "acetone injector" to add acetone as I am welding. Perhaps by using a pump, and attaching a hose directly to the welding gun. I would turn it on and pump acetone on the metal right in front of the arc so it wont evaporate so fast.  Do you think I should mist it or just squirtit on the metal.Do you guys think it will work? Will it make my aluminum welds look better? I'd appreciate any help. I really dont want to ask Zapster until I get better, because I will be embarassed.Thanks,Slagpit.
Reply:Zap does his beautiful welds with a TIG welder...  Different process than MIG, slower, more controlled, beautiful.   MIG is for getting something done fast.  It is very difficult, even for a professional aluminum welder with alot of experience and the best equipment for welding aluminum, to make a mig weld look like a perfect tig weld on aluminum.  By oscillating the mig torch, one can get a sort of similar effect, but still not the same as an individual wire dip into the puddle as with tig, or an oxy/fuel torch.Also, the little mig machine you have there, although fine for welding steel, is not really designed for mig welding aluminum.   Try a spool gun on your machine for better results feeding the aluminum wire.   Aluminum wire is soft and does not like to be pushed down a long torch.   That is why we use a push-pull feed system in our shop where we mig weld aluminum production parts.   The wire drive motor in the welding gun pulls the wire through the torch rather than pushing it, keeping it from bunching up so it feeds smoothly.  If you're fighting with wire that is feeding erraticly, your weld will not look smooth and consistent, regardless of your aluminum mig welding skill level.      If you're trying to get a consistent, good-looking mig weld with only a push-feeder, good luck.  At least try to find a teflon liner to put in your torch so the wire has a chance to slide down the torch and use an oversize tip so it wont get caught up at the tip and bunch up behind the drive rolls.   You might have half a chance at feeding it then.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Oh this has to be a joke I cannot believe anybody is that dumb...  Well I can believe I guess...Ron ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:Thanks for the replies.  I will get a stainless steel brush next time I am out.  I bought my welder at the local Farm & Fleet, do you think they would have the brush too???My boyfriend thinks I am stupid for wanting to learn to weld  I remember watching my Dad weld when I was little.  He died when I was young I think he would have loved to have taught me.  Mom says so.Thanks Again.
Reply:I think you should practice on steel pieces before you try aluminum.What gas are you using?
Reply:I think you should go for it and let us know the results,  it might help with the preheat too!DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Give us alittle more info., so we can help you    John    SMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Much like putting a match to a can of hairspray..... maybe a little bigger than that! Enjoy if you dare!
Reply:I really dont want to ask Zapster until I get better, because I will be embarassed.
Reply:Use straight gasoline, and lots of it. DO NOT WIPE UP THE EXCESS. Strike an arc and get back to us.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingUse straight gasoline, and lots of it. DO NOT WIPE UP THE EXCESS. Strike an arc and get back to us.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlagpitMy boyfriend thinks I am stupid for wanting to learn to weld
Reply:It's really beyond me how some grown men can get so much enjoyment from acting like children.Absolutely goofy.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Originally Posted by Joe HIt's really beyond me how some grown men can get so much enjoyment from acting like children.Absolutely goofy.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingUse straight gasoline, and lots of it. DO NOT WIPE UP THE EXCESS. Strike an arc and get back to us.
Reply:The boyfriend part is believable though.
Reply:Static-XJ,  I didn't know that acetone was flammable.  I will keep that in mind.  I didn't think it would be since real welders were using it.  But I am just trying to learn.Shieldarc, I just found some alum scrap at my friends farm.  He is letting me use his machine shed to weld in, because I live in an apartment.  So when I went to the store to buy the welder I told the man that I wanted to weld steel and aluminum.  He sold me this plastic tube, I think he called it a liner and said to pull the metal one out of the gun and use the plastic one for the aluminum.  He said the Hobart 140 would do aluminum.  I didn't know they didn't sell the welding gases there so they sent me over to a company in my town that had welding gases.  They leased to small tanks one for aluminum and one for steel they said the one for aluminum is argon, and the one for steel is argon with carbon dioxide in it.  Mike the guy there was real helpful but those tanks were expensive and it was only a lease.  I have my dad's old welding helmet and gloves Mom kept them.Right now I am just trying to learn some stuff and maybe later try to do some welded sculpture.For those of you who were trying to help me, thank you.The rest of you are just mean!  I was reading all the stuff you wrote over on discuss welding, and thought you were all nice.  Some of the guys were talking about some slagpit, and I thought that was a cool name, so I used it here.  So I guess that site is closed now, I never registered over there.  I came over here and registered and thought you would be nice but I gues I was wrong, if you don't like my name, I am sorry but I thought it was cute.  I just don't get you guys, picking on someone you don't even know!And I know not to weld around gasoline, and yes I am a girl!
Reply:Where you bought the welder or the tanks at, ask those people about a welding book... Read and go through the motions with no power on the welder. Then try it with the power on.And read everything you are going to use while welding! Cans of Acetone and such stuff explain there contents and flammability etc etc.And give yourself time ok...Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Sorry about my post earlier slag, I just thought you were one of those that just wanted to mess with us like ol crapster.  I hear you also need U shaped rollers to feed the aluminum wire.  I've never tried it like this since I have access to a tig.  It'll probably be hard to get the wire to feed through, if you take the nozzle, tip, and diffuser (part the tip screws into) off it'll be less likely to hang at the end.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by STwelderWhere you bought the welder or the tanks at, ask those people about a welding book... Read and go through the motions with no power on the welder. Then try it with the power on.And read everything you are going to use while welding! Cans of Acetone and such stuff explain there contents and flammability etc etc.And give yourself time ok...
Reply:It sounds like your running a strait push system for AL. When ever that is done there are a few rules i've learned to follow. 10' max gun length. Nylon or teflon liner. Just enough drive roll tension to push the wire through the gun. and 5356 Wire only it has a better colum strenght. my 2 cents --Gol'
Reply:and try to keep the welding lead as straight as possible, less bends the easyer the wire pushes thru
Reply:Miss Slagpit you will be better off going to another forum as your labled a phony here now, what the heck is that for a name? Guy's are going to think of u as a sper mpit.If u are a girl, what is your name and where do you live?Originally Posted by ShieldArcMiss Slagpit you will be better off going to another forum as your labled a phony here now, what the heck is that for a name? Guy's are going to think of u as a sper mpit.If u are a girl, what is your name and where do you live?
Reply:and if she is for real??? thats no way to treat the new peeps!!!!! i will give the person  a chance to  learn if they want.......now if she/he builds an amphibious water craft and trys it in the river,,, thats an other storywe're not all bad  ms. slag
Reply:we're not all bad ms. slag
Reply:To Zap, Ha Ha Ha, Zap, not everyone is out to get you. You jumped all over this girl and didn't even offer to help. To slagpit, Ditto on all of the helpful posts form the members. Don't worry zap ( and the un-helpfull post people) will warm up to you.   Get some seat time in, and feel free to post pictures of your progress, this site has a lot to offer in help.
Reply:zap is just a azzzzzzzz hole IMOTrailblazer 302 AirpakDynasty 200 DX  Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52 CamoMiller Dailarc 250 OLD But great!!2 Miller 140's w/autoset NEW! Millwauke Cold cut sawsDewalt portabandJd2 notcherPipe beveling machine
Reply:enough, thread locked.Just skip the personal attacks.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.