What mig to get for aluminum??

[Gomer pyle]

The more I read the more my head hurts. lol
I'm still not sure I want a multipurpose machine as I will never use Tig. What machines(in any brand) do pulse? Do I have to get multipurpose to get pulse?
I know the Miller 255 is multipurpose and single pulse, the Everest 253/353 are multi and dual pulse, I don't believe the Lincoln 260 is but not sure and I can't find pulse on ESAB website for there 285???

 

[user.69169]

Less I read it wrong, you plan to build ONE (1) aluminum door. You have a machine that will do that already, and honest if you lay de door out right your machine will do all the welding needs done.

I can introduce you to a man in S Dakota who inherited a door shop making what you want to make, and no pulse machine in dat shop, never was. Door needs to be monolithic and in 2020 dat means adhesives more den welding.

 

[Gomer pyle]

I've been told that my machine would never feed aluminum correctly??? Yes, I only have one door to build now but who knows what the future holds. Having a tool is never a bad thing. I don't know a lot about miging aluminum, is pulse needed or just the latest fad?
I am very bad to zone in on one particular option, extra, etc... that I end up missing a lot of great things, so I'm trying to look into everything. While I really like my current machine, I know that parts availability is bad for both the power source and the wire feeder, so I've decided not to put more money into this setup.

 

[dragoneggs]

Keep this thread going. I have a Miller 211 MIG (transformer) and a never used Spoolmate 100 spool gun but have never attempted Aluminum yet. I love my MIG but would also love to do some thin stuff that maybe TIG is the answer along with Al.

 

[Big Barn]

I would do a little research like (removed) suggested earlier and see what spool gun is compatible with your S-O Systematic.

For instance if a Miller Spoolmatic or 30A will work with a contactor, even if your existing machine tanks you will still have a usable spool gun to use on another Miller machine or resell very easily.

Or use a Teflon liner with .035 wire and keep your whip relatively straight.

If all this works then go out and buy your new Ellis saw

 

[5030]

One thing though. If you are looking at the Miller 252, you can do better aluminum welding with a Pulse MIG. See you can't weld out of position with aluminum like that. If you go to pulse, MIG, you can. And with the double pulse capability, you can even yield near TIG like results in appearance.

The Power i-MIG 253DPi is both single and double pulse.

I run an ESAB pulsed MIG and it does TIG quality (appearance) welds in mild steel and aluminum.

 

[5030]

Less I read it wrong, you plan to build ONE (1) aluminum door. You have a machine that will do that already, and honest if you lay de door out right your machine will do all the welding needs done.

I can introduce you to a man in S Dakota who inherited a door shop making what you want to make, and no pulse machine in dat shop, never was. Door needs to be monolithic and in 2020 dat means adhesives more den welding.

+1. Hard to beat glue together for lighter gauge aluminum. No muss, no fuss, easy prep and solid adhesion.

 

[dragoneggs]

+1. Hard to beat glue together for lighter gauge aluminum. No muss, no fuss, easy prep and solid adhesion.

A properly surface prepped aluminum, bonded with the right adhesive will yield incredible bond strength. There is a big difference between the strength of a mechanical bond vs. a chemical bond. Just need to know what you are doing... but it is simple and anyone can do it.

 

[Gomer pyle]

I would do a little research like (removed) suggested earlier and see what spool gun is compatible with your S-O Systematic.

For instance if a Miller Spoolmatic or 30A will work with a contactor, even if your existing machine tanks you will still have a usable spool gun to use on another Miller machine or resell very easily.

Or use a Teflon liner with .035 wire and keep your whip relatively straight.

If all this works then go out and buy your new Ellis saw

I have done a lot of research on adding a spool gun to my machine. Systematics will build me one for 1200-1400 that is plug and play but I’m back to parts availability for my power source.
I may try a Teflon liner just to see how it works but I don’t want this to be a just to get by.

 

[Big Barn]

I have done a lot of research on adding a spool gun to my machine. Systematics will build me one for 1200-1400 that is plug and play but I’m back to parts availability for my power source.

Okay. My bad. Skip that option...