Aluminum spool gun welds

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Finally bought a better MIG, Miller 251, can someone post some pictures of alum. spool gun welds. I see a lot of tool boxes and just lately and aluminum flatbed welded with what I think is a spool gun. I have never used one but if the welds I have been seeing are the best that can be done, no thanks. or is it the operators ? I would like to invest in the 30A but dont want to shell out the K for nothing. I know it won't be TIG appearance but should be at least presentable. I would like to do a flatbed for my truck. I looked at one at the local truck body place on display and it was very poor , fast production work. The cash and carry price, $3800.00 you mount it. The welds had very little ripple and the worst part is they didn't even take the time to clean the black trails off the welds that had missed half the joint, half the time. Wish I had taken pictures to post."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:You cant judge by those aluminum tool boxes. You can teach a monkey to pull the trigger, it doesnt mean they can weld. You will get pro welds if you are doing it correctly. To see what mig aluminum can look like, go to an aluminum boat builder website. try northwestjetboats.com or hellscanyonmarine.comYou should find excellent examples at those places.
Reply:Upper weld is TIG and the lower is MIG, .047 wire at 19 volts with 30A gun & MM250. I am just learning to MIG the aluminum and have gotten better. Good wire is (Esab) makes a nicer weld than Harbor Freight wire. Attached ImagesWilmington, NC
Reply:Spool guns can make very nice welds, its up to the gunner....the first two pics are of a display rack I did, hadnt cleaned them up yet...the next one is a test plate, getting the gun running right... Attached Images
Reply:NiceWhat machine and gun are you running?? And what voltage and gas.ThanksWilmington, NC
Reply:Although these welds aren't TIG appearance, they are far superior to what I saw on that display flat bed. Thanks for the pictures , I'll continue to do my research."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:TEK, are you pushing or pulling on those welds?
Reply:Originally Posted by Eric CTEK, are you pushing or pulling on those welds?
Reply:Check this out kolot.  Can answer alot of ??s about MIGing aluminum.http://www.millerwelds.com/swf/flv/f...=320&h=240&v=8Last edited by duaneb55; 07-16-2009 at 11:29 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Mig question. All of the aluminum welds look OK to me, anyway is there a difference in running 4043 and 5356, it seems that with 4043 the weld is cleaner than with 5356. I heve only used .035 in my 30A spool gun . Any info regarding the  different techique of running these wires and which is the strongest? Thanks Jim.
Reply:Originally Posted by Lucky EddieNiceWhat machine and gun are you running?? And what voltage and gas.Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Those were pulling Eric and yes he should push to eliminate all that black oxidation.
Reply:The classification for aluminum filler metals is completely different than that of carbon steel.  The numeric designations do not indicate mechanical properties, rather they indicate the different alloying elements of the compound.  The following information was taken from Lincoln Electric's "Aluminum GMAW Welding Guide"ER4043:Smooth Bead, Good WettingLow Column Strength (lower "feedability)Higher PenetrationLower DuctilityLower TensileLess Prone to PorosityAnodizes Dark GreyMuch Lower Shear StrengthLower Cracking SensitivityLower Melting PointNarrower Melting RangeER5356:Black Smut, Distinct RipplesBest FeedabilityLower PenetrationHigher DuctilityHigher TensileMore Prone to PorosityAnodizes with Good Color MatchHigher Shear StrengthHigher Cracking SensitivityHigher Melting PointWider Melting Range
Reply:i saw a thread that a guy miga alum. boat it was the best iveever seen i looked for it but no luck