3/8 Aluminum, Having a hard time

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Hi everyone, I am using a Lincoln 182c to weld 3/8 thick aluminum plate, according o the welder specs it should only weld up to 5/16, but I still tried to weld using the "max" voltage setting. I ran some beads on a couple of butt welds, and after braking the 2 parts apart I noticed that there was no penetration. It took a lot of force to brake the welds apart, but I was disapointed after having no penetration. I used argon gas and .035 wire, please, I need help.
Reply:Preheat!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I don't know what that welder is.  I googled it and came up empty handed.Are you MIG'ing or TIG'ing?  If you are MIG welding, are you using the appropriate AL filler?  Are you trying to butt weld 3/8" plate in a single pass?  Are you beveling the plates?  No way should .035" filler complete 3/8" plate in a single pass.  Do you have any pics of what you got going on here? Originally Posted by SundownIIIDon't get me wrong.  They are just as ill informed about politics as they are about welding, they just post more on that subject.
Reply:V grind, leave a 1/8" gap, preheat to 225 to 250 degrees, weld. The root pass will be at the thinest part and will heat the aluminum two passes on top side by side should do it.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:I also say preheat.  It's your friend in this case.  I have done a fair amount of fillets on 3/8 aluminum, TIG with a Dynasty 200, 3/32 Ceriated at about 180 amps (a bit much for 3/32 but it worked) and preheated like crazy with oxy/propane and it worked great.  I used Argon, but you could also use Helium or a mixture of Helium/Argon, that would help you.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:preheat bud, get  a 250 temp stick and go to town
Reply:1) Wire brush clean.2)Light an acetylene only flame, cover area with the carbon. Aluminum will be black at this point.3)With torch still lit, turn oxygen on to a good neutral flame4) Start preheating. Keep moving , do not stay in 1 place.5) When all carbon is burned off, it is at the right temp. 6) GO!!
Reply:Hello El soldador, if your pieces of 3/8" material are of any size you are not getting enough heat. Aluminum has so much higher thermal conductivity that it requires considerably more amperage to properly weld it. Preheats will help with welding on it. Yet, you can cause metallurgical issues with the aluminum that may weaken the weld joint in a detrimental way. Even a 250 amp machine is on the fringe of energy output to properly weld on 3/8" aluminum. The 5/16" rating of that machine is based on welding on steel, aluminum is a whole different breed of cat. Consider the use of your aluminum parts and if they are of a critical nature you may need to consider upgrading to a different machine. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Hey guys,I'm with Allan(aevald) on this one.....not enough amperage a$$ to get a good fusion, even with pre-heat/bevel. Need a 250A+ minimum.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Sometimes swinging a little stick real fast, still doesn't have the umph of a big club.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:The welder specs say it won't do it.  You tried it and couldn't do it.  I don't understand the question...My name's not Jim....
Reply:get a bigger machine, 180 amp machine is under powered for 3/8 aluminumTiger 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