1mm v 1.2mm Alu wire on EWM Phoenix 330 Pulse

[Hood]

Just to add to the above post, all these wires have been with a standard Mig, only ever used Super6 with the EWM Pulse so will be good to see if a better brand wire makes a difference with it.

 

[Hood]

Ok been busy here so this evening was the first time I got a chance to load the EWM wire.
Big difference I would say, it is much more like the results I was getting from the 1mm wire.
This now begs the question of whether the change is down to the change in grade from 5356 to 5183 or change in brand of wire from Super6 to EWM. I suspect the latter but I still have a niggle that the 1mm wire was Super6 so...
Ok here is a vid.

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Ok been busy here so this evening was the first time I got a chance to load the EWM wire.
Big difference I would say, it is much more like the results I was getting from the 1mm wire.
This now begs the question of whether the change is down to the change in grade from 5356 to 5183 or change in brand of wire from Super6 to EWM. I suspect the latter but I still have a niggle that the 1mm wire was Super6 so...
Ok here is a vid.

Good morning Hood.
5356 is the most commonly used in marine but the 5183 is a stiffer wire, slightly more corrosion resistant and stronger. Most will use the 5356 unless other wise specified or there is no 5356 around. The 5183 is more costly

 

[Jim Davey]

^^^ Like everything with marine (triple the price) aerospace (quadruple) or wedding (infinitely more expensive, cake for instance) in the description...

 

[Hood]

I remember going to Lucas to get an alternator for a boat, guy was struggling with the part number and we found one with same specs and identical looks and mounts but slightly different part number. Eventually the guy asked what it was off and when I said a boat he looked up a different manual and found it. Cost was double for the identical marine one. I opted for the standard one against his advice, he said the marine one must be sealed or something, I just looked at him and said what good are special seals when I can see the windings through the holes in the case. He then shrugged and said I was right, saved myself £200 never again have I told anyone a part is on a boat.

 

[Jim Davey]

Some have potted electrics for spark suppression in fume filled bilges or higher spec anti corrosion finishes but yes, mention boats and you get shafted.

 

[Hood]

This was identical in as much as the eye could see. Possibly the lacquer on the windings could have been some superior grade but I seriously doubt that, it was basically just a bog standard lorry alternator

 

[Hood]

Was using the EWM wire today welding some bits and pieces on an Alu Catamaran and it is beautiful stuff to weld with. Inside the bow I was filling up corrosion pitting and expected trouble but it went without a hitch. Outside I was re-welding a bracket that had been welded on previously and was a bit dodgy, ground out the old weld and re-welded and also added a couple of gussets and it was blowing a gale, expected trouble and again perfect. Did a crack in the stern on the divers platform and again things went well and lastly welded up some shelves in a console that I probably would have previously tig welded but not now
Tomorrow I will be welding some aerial mounts on that I made up today and also might get a chance to do the shelf in the other console.

Now whether it is because of the different grade of wire or that the EWM wire is better quality I still don't know.

 

[Brad93]

Who supplies EWM? Bolher?

 

[Hood]

Who supplies EWM? Bolher?

Not a clue, maybe @Jim Davey will know.

 

[Jim Davey]

I believe it is Brad. EWM don't advertise the fact though, but it's good stuff.

 

[henry Kadzielski]

Was using the EWM wire today welding some bits and pieces on an Alu Catamaran and it is beautiful stuff to weld with. Inside the bow I was filling up corrosion pitting and expected trouble but it went without a hitch. Outside I was re-welding a bracket that had been welded on previously and was a bit dodgy, ground out the old weld and re-welded and also added a couple of gussets and it was blowing a gale, expected trouble and again perfect. Did a crack in the stern on the divers platform and again things went well and lastly welded up some shelves in a console that I probably would have previously tig welded but not now
Tomorrow I will be welding some aerial mounts on that I made up today and also might get a chance to do the shelf in the other console.

Now whether it is because of the different grade of wire or that the EWM wire is better quality I still don't know.

Good morning Hood.
With your comment about 'prevoius tig welding but not now'.
I have found that years ago, it is much easier to mig less than perfect alli than it is to Tig. The tig requires a much cleaner surface to get a good job. If the surface is questionable mig it grind it back and repeat, much easier. I did some repairs to an alli dingy, it had corrosion holes in the bottom. It was used for a fishing boat as the net dingy to catch bait. So there is salt water in there most of the time and as such it corrodes. The owner told me he had a few holes, about 4, I found about 14. Some small and some larger, just a whitish oxide on the bottom, wire brush and 'SUPPRISE' a hole. The bottom of this dingy was about .8mm grade unknown, but welded with 1.2mm Safra no problems, Frances did help in this case, but supprisinly little druma. I have a 250amp A/C D/C 3 phase Tig, not turned it on for years. Mig for alli is my go to first, unless some one wants something special for finish. Most of the fisherman I deal with it's hurry the f^%k up whats taking so long and no one looks at the welds

 

[Hood]

Henry, I still use Tig a lot as some things I still prefer to look really good, for example the aerial brackets I welded up yesterday for fitting today.
Having said that the Pulse Mig is allowing nice looking welds on material thickness that I would never have dreamed of previously with the standard Mig.
The console was only 3mm and if I had used standard Mig on it the welds would have been messy due to it just being on the limit for spray transfer and me having to go like hell, I just do not like welding Alu with dip, doesn't look right to me, anyway no such issues with the pulse and the welds were actually very nice looking.

 

[6 milli billi]

EWM Aluminium wire is manufactured in Germany. It is NOT Bohler wire, that i can tell you for sure.

 

[Jim Davey]

There you go, from the horses mouth.

 

[Hood]

I think I better get some bills sent out as I must be half way through the EWM wire by now and that postage to the Highlands is a killer

Couple of welds on the 3mm sonar console modifications today, was messing around with different techniques on the verticals, came out fairly good

 

[Jim Davey]

I'm sure there is a closer EWM dealer. Premier springs to mind.

 

[6 milli billi]

Where are you buying your EWM wire from? Premier are not a Sales Partner of EWM, they are just a re-seller and don't sell our filler materials.

 

[Hood]

I got the EWM wire from @Jim Davey
Just taking the micky out of him because he (and his courier company) think Arbroath is the Highlands

 

[Jim Davey]

Buy a pallet and I'll throw in the carriage. In fact I'd deliver it in person, wearing a Kilt.