|
|
I have a Lincoln 135 SP and do a lot of sheet metal welding, but I'd like to add aluminum to my list. Specifically, I'd like to be able to weld on cast aluminum, like intake manifolds, as well as thinner plate aluminum. I'm not sure that I want to bite off on a $2,000 TIG machine. I've noticed that Lincoln offers an aluminum feed kit for the 135, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not I could really get decent cast aluminum welds. I've also thought about using a torch for aluminum welds, but don't know how effective that method would be?Any thoughts on my situation?Thanks!
Reply:Your skepticism is well founded. Aluminum cast is out of its league. Thinner sheet can be done...some folks here have done it with that machine, I think. I have done limited amounts of AL with the millermatic 130, but not on a regular basis.For cast, you need a lot more output than the 135 has to offer. On thicker material, I use a big old dialarc with high frequency (big, cheap relative to other tig machines, and adequate in many cases, but did I mention BIG). Advanced features cost money, but if you are willing to do it the old way (ha!), it'll work.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:welding cast aluminum (intakes etc..) is toughlots of contamination..sand still in the castings..oil soaked from the inside out..good chance of cracking during cooldown..i've done multiple intakes..blown up (very expensive) aluminum cyl. heads..replacing where the seat fell out and destroyed the head..welding cast to billett...you really need a good tig with gas shielding to get any results that are "good"sometimes you need to make a pass...grind it out..make another...grind it out ..till you get the "clean" metal to the top..i would never use a wire (mig) on anything like that..if you want aluminum done right there is really no "cheap" way out...zap!
Reply:Yeah, I should have mentioned that I have always had problems with castings with my dialarc...so, it probably aint the optimal tool for the job either...it would just get you more amps per dollar than some of the more expensive newer machines. The right tool makes stuff lots easier. Tig aint cheap...no matter how you look at it. Even crappy ac tig machines are fairly expensive. Old tig machines are not that cheap either.By the way, I have made my own puddles on the floor from aluminum castings. The best fix for a situation like that is beer applied liberally to the operator while the new replacement part is shipped .Last edited by smithboy; 02-18-2006 at 10:46 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:We had one gut in my last tig class that brought his little Lincln feeder in to try aluminum. He didn't have much luck as the wire kept birdnesting. I think he had tha aluminum kit. I'm guessing but the kit is probably just a teflon line and maybe an oversize tip.DennisDennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill |
|
发表于 2021-9-1 00:17:52