CAN i WELD ALUMINUM ?

[skippy957]

I do think that the best material for a cab is steel for the frame works. It will not crack on the twist movement of the tractor. Aluminum is light but not as strong as steel on repetitive movements. As soon that you weld 6061-t6 aluminum you will have utility aluminum (lower grade).
Also steel tubings are good for cab construction and you can also hide electric wires in it, and easier to weld.

 

[DaryleD]

A DC machine will weld aluminum but it wont be as good as a MIG or TIG.
Those MIG or TIG welders are equip with high frequency devise inside that minimize the contamination of oxidation during the welding process.
Forget the ac/dc welder and go with MIG equip with a push/pull gun on it or go see a shop.
It is hard to weld aluminum without cracks or bad finish with a ac/dc welder.[/quote

I just wanted to clarify what High Frequency does, so anyone interested can understand. Mig or Tig wolud be the way to go as stated. High frequency has nothing to do with oxidation or contamination though. A clean workpiece and shielding gas takes care of that. High frequency was developed to keep the arc going when running in AC ( alternating current ). AC current is current switching from negative to positive. When it switches from one to the other, it must pass through the Zero point which would cause the arc to go out. In order to keep the arc going, they imposed a High Frequency wave over the ac current. I'll stop here, so not to bore anyone.

 

[Northstar9126]

It's a shame you don't have a MIG welder. All you would need is another tank and a spool of aluminum wire.

I was under the impression that you also need a special spool gun. My welder ( Miller 210 ) offers an aluminium spool gun as an accessory. A small spool of wire is mounted on the gun itself. I always thought that was because the aluminum wire is too soft and would jam up in the liner that comes from the welder rollers. I havn't bought the aluminum gun ( it's quite expensive ) If there is a way to weld aluminum with my welder without buying the special gun I would love to hear.

 

[sandman2234]

Aluminum can be run in a simple push gun if the liner is new and clean and well maintained. The best way to do it is either a pull gun, or a push-pull combination gun. A little motor in the gun pulling the wire keeps it from binding so it doesn't bind as much. Great idea, not cheap to buy but probably worth it if you don't have TIG acess or experience, or need it done in a hurry due to time constraints.
My choice is TIG due to already having one and being able to run it, plus it makes such a pretty weld!
David from jax

 

[chucko]

I used them years ago on airboat rudders. I think you have to swap your + and - on the welder and it does not look as good as even mig does. lots of splatter so you will have to do lots of cleanup

 

[Rob-D]

I've welded alu. on small MIG machines. The wonderful little Lincoln 110v SP's.

It wasn't easy. Make sure your weld metal is cleaned with a SS brush that is only used for alu. And keep the gun line straight and taught or you'll bunch up the alu. wire. You can use the harder wire and not have it bunch up as badly but it isn't as good for welding. I think Lincoln sells a special liner for alu. and they have the process on their site explaining how to weld alu. with small MIGs.

Now I'm spoiled I use a Miller 210 MIG with a spool gun running 100% argon. Fast and easy but not as nice as TIG. TIG welders are the artists of welding if you ask me.
Rob

 

[Solo]

I like the Tig for aluminum. Make sure everything is clean clean clean.

Solo

 

[schmism]

My neighbor has a MM syncrowave Tig.

at wide open 180 amps he still maxes out at a little over 1/4" AL.

It takes a increadable amount of heat to weld AL, and then it doesnt act like steel. The weld pool doesnt glow red/orange/yellow when its hot so its not just like welding steel.

 

[MJPetersen]

The weld pool does get shiny like a mirror though. This happens just before the whole puddle drops though onto the floor!!

Mike

 

[sandman2234]

Gets shiney, bottom falls out and then you have to try to fill the hole before anyone notices you messed up. Usually happens to me when somebody has another shield and is watching closely.
David from jax