Welding Question

[sven]

Ive seen Clarke at Harbor Freight too.

I have a Lincoln 135 MIG that works great. My only complaint is the gun...the switch broke right out of the box.

[Daurie]

I can, however dim the lights in my neighborhood with my Syncrowave 250! .

I have a Syncrowave 250 too.. thats one bad ass machine.

[Donnie]

I need a welder and I figured I would ask you guys. Does anyone have a recommendation on a 220v welder. It will be used for my restoration and other auto/trailer projects. Thanks

When you choose a brand, some good ones have been mentioned, look not only at the high end current I.E., 135 amps or 225 amps, but be aware of the low end of the heat setting.....5 amps to 135 amps is more useful than a 35 to 135 amps if U R going to be welding sheet metal. Some inexpensive choices do not offer a really low end setting...Also a bottle of gas, my favorite mix is 85/15, U can choose any mix that you like....is a better choice than flux core wire...if U choose gas, remember Stargon, is probably something U won't want as it burns hotter than CO2 / argon........

[Enigma]

More questions

Last Saturday I was watching Two Guys Garage. One guy was fitting and welding in a repair panel to a fender on a hot rod project. He used a plasma cutter to remove the old metal and was welding in the new panel with something I hadn't seen before. It looked sort of a y-shaped handle and seemed to give off an arc and he was using mig wire as filler. Anyone know what this set-up is and details.
Also- what is the price of a plasma cutter and how does it work?

Thanks

[alaskajosh]

...and was welding in the new panel with something I hadn't seen before. It looked sort of a y-shaped handle and seemed to give off an arc and he was using mig wire as filler. Anyone know what this set-up is and details.
Also- what is the price of a plasma cutter and how does it work?

Thanks

Sounds like a TIG set-up he was using.

Seems like plasma cutters start at around $1,000.

[greenmeanie]

As someone mentioned gases I thought I would ask this.

Does anyone know where to get small disposable bottles of argon for welding aluminium with a MIG? I want to do maybe 30 plug welds to practice and then replace a simple peice of corroded body work on my truck.

The weld shops I have been to in Phoenix claim not ot do them and don't do rental bottles. I can't justify the expense of buying a 40cuft for just these few welds.

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about see this web page.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/welding-gas.htm

[yank]

I read some place Hobart is owned by Miller. I have a Hobart 175 now discountinued. The gun says Miller on it. I think for someone that does'nt weld allot the Hobarts are a good option.

[jp-]

As someone mentioned gases I thought I would ask this.

Does anyone know where to get small disposable bottles of argon for welding aluminium with a MIG? I want to do maybe 30 plug welds to practice and then replace a simple peice of corroded body work on my truck.

The weld shops I have been to in Phoenix claim not ot do them and don't do rental bottles. I can't justify the expense of buying a 40cuft for just these few welds.

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about see this web page.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/welding-gas.htm

Do you have a bottle of 75/25? Mig is not the best on aluminum and plug welds are tough in aluminum, you will probably need to enlarge the hole to something like 1/2" rather than the 3/16 spot weld size, just to make sure you have a good weld.

Anyway, for just a few welds you could probably get away with 75/25 on aluminum.

When I bought my welder I told the sales guy that I wouldn't buy unless it came with both an Argon cylinder and a 75/25 cylinder. He said no problem (as they also sold gas). He was happy to throw in the cylinder hoping that I'd be back to buy more welding supplies.

[greenmeanie]

Hmm, I do have 75/25 so I'll give it a go with that. It's only a couple of little corner pieces at the front of the tub wherer the T-posts meet the rear passenger footwell so it is not structural.

Now, I'm thinking that I should convert my little 100A MIG over to my Ally plug welder. Anyone got any advice on settings for this.

It should be a fun experiment.

[SafeAirOne]

Does anyone know where to get small disposable bottles of argon for welding aluminium with a MIG? ...

...The weld shops I have been to in Phoenix claim not ot do them and don't do rental bottles. I can't justify the expense of buying a 40cuft for just these few welds.

I've never seen these before, but then again, I don't hang around the local welding supply houses much. I'd be stunned if the local welding / gas supply place didnt rent/lease small tanks of argon. I have found it difficult to get a personally-owned bottle of gas filled because all the welding places in my village all want to lease me one of thiers.

I hope you find a place to get gas, because I'm curious about how MIG machines do on aluminum without using a spoolgun. I haven't been brave enough (or had a need) to try yet.

[jp-]

Hmm, I do have 75/25 so I'll give it a go with that. It's only a couple of little corner pieces at the front of the tub wherer the T-posts meet the rear passenger footwell so it is not structural.

Now, I'm thinking that I should convert my little 100A MIG over to my Ally plug welder. Anyone got any advice on settings for this.

It should be a fun experiment.

Safe brings up a point about a spoolgun. If you are going to weld aluminum on a MIG with no spoolgun you must get at least .035 wire. Any smaller and it will instantly birdnest. Also, you must keep the wire feed tube as straight as possible. If you have an 8' welding line running to your gun, move the welder 8' away and weld with the line almost straight. On steel, it makes no difference if the feed tube is coiled on the ground as the steel will not birdnest.

Settings will be almost maxed out on the feed speed, and probably a number 4 or 5 on the voltage. Always use a test piece first.

[49coe]

I'm curious about how MIG machines do on aluminum without using a spoolgun. I haven't been brave enough (or had a need) to try yet.[/quote]
Not too well.

[Rineheitzgabot]

I am curious to see how the 75/25 works on aluminum.

I have doubts that it will burn evenly, and not look like swiss cheese. I would recommend straight Argon (100%). You need it more potent to ensure the shielding.

I also agree with the spoolgun thing. You need the drive wheels closer to the plasma, when burning aluminum.

IMHO

[alaskajosh]

MIG'ing with AL:

In order for me to weld aluminum with my MIG (W/O a spool gun) I had to buy a $110 kit from Lincoln. It included a new plastic lined liner for the welding hose, special rollers that wouldn't mis-shape the soft AL wire, and special tips for the gun.

I had to run minimum .40 wire.

Then I had to get an argon bottle (75/25 did not perform for me) and I forget what that cost.

Ultimately, the results were spotty for me. Poor, really. And I could really only weld about 3/16" MINIMUM (no thinner).

On a project that mattered I rented a spool gun and was very pleased!! I'd wished that I'd put that $110 towards the gun!!

From what I've seen and heard MIG is really NOT ideal for aluminum except maybe for thicker stuff... like big boat hulls. For good results on thinner stuff- be thinking TIG.

I also think that, whereas with steel an amateur can quickly get the hang of it, aluminum is another matter.
Be prepared for lots of trial and error... hopefully on scrap!! Anything structural should really be left to a professional. Aluminum has a lot of moisture in it (you can see it sweat off as you weld) and ideally one should thoroughly preheat the area prior to welding... it's a PITA and there's lots to not know (coming from a guy who doesn't know lots).

Kind regards, Josh

[109 Pretender]

Welding Aluminum

The best bet for someone not experienced in welding alum. is to farm out the job to someone who does it all the time. Otherwise for the adventurous - absolutely use shielding gas - 100% argon most recommended and easy to get - there are other exotic blends avail too. Never use any shield gas that can oxidize (CO2 mixes are a big no no!). Spool guns block vision too much for 1st timers. I use TIG w/100% argon - excellent start/stop control w/footpedal - really important for alum. However, I never TIG body metal that I will work on - why? electric welding hardens the alum. a lot! All exotic aluminum car bodies have traditionally been gas welded Ferrari, AC Cobra, etc) - much less enbrittelment in weld zone and you can easily anneal and work metal afterwards. (Trick to this is to use Cobalt Blue lenses - ck w/glassblowing suppliers). The fluxes used w/alum. give off a bright orange flare. Cobalt kills the flare so you can see. Adjust for a slight reduction flame (shield), use correct alloy and flux - all extremely important if you want good results - and who doesn't? Practice a lot before welding on Rover. With experience you can use a steel block (support) and weld up holes up to dime size - wrong alloy,flux,and/or technique will have you blowing dime sized holes as the metal melts and falls through... Remember too that aluminum naturally hardens with age - so don't add to the problem any more than necessary.
PS - Looks like a bunch of us have the Miller Syncrowave 250 TIG - great machine!
cheers!