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Mig aluminum with out a spool gun
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:57 am
by Homemade
Stupid question. I’m looking at a multi processes units for my second welder. I’ve come to the conclusion that an ac machine is not needed because any aluminum I do, I can spoil gun it.
My question is, can I change out the wire inside the machine to weld aluminum or does the spool gun do more then just change the wire?
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Re: Mig aluminum with out a spool gun
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:34 am
by ldbtx
A spool gun shortens the path the soft Al wire must travel. It's difficult to get the soft aluminum wire to feed properly (if at all) through the 10' to 15' liner of the typical MIG machine. For reliable wire feed and welding, get the spool gun. Otherwise, you'll be saying bad words.
Re: Mig aluminum with out a spool gun
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:47 pm
by Homemade
Thanks.
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Re: Mig aluminum with out a spool gun
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:50 pm
by Welderhayden
You can definately do it but bring alot of patience and contact tips with you.
Keep the gun and liner as straight as you can, back the tension off on the drive rolls, try use a larger dia wire like 1.2 or 1.6 and get the aluminium tips- 1.2A (alot of them)
I am unfortunate enough to have to use this set-up at work for breakdown repairs so I can attest to its use