- Thread starter Superbad
- Start date
Don't any of you be laughing
I have been attempting to have a go today. Firstly,I was battling to stop the reel from unravelling. Next problem was the tip melting
It seems I'll have a further read on the tutorial section
Looks like you have to significantly increase wire feed superbad. Always the case when mig welding al/al. As for reel unraveling, tighten up the mechanism bolt where you fit the spool, sounds like it is too slack?
Ps, if using .8 wire, use a 1mm tip.
aha,ok,thanks for that
The bolt doesn't run up close to the reel,I'll have to put a nut on
yep,done that
Its the wire speed - i melted three tips before i figured that one out
Make it faster - mine is set near maximum for ally...Like others have said, you need to have a feed which doesn't stick as well - keep the torch cable as straight as possible to stop the wire sticking in the liner.
that's great advice,I'll do that next timeIts the wire speed - i melted three tips before i figured that one out
Like others have said, you need to have a feed which doesn't stick as well - keep the torch cable as straight as possible to stop the wire sticking in the liner.
No Malcolm,yes Malcolm
I mean yes the tip is sticking out,because the shroud is nackered,the threaded part of the shroud has come away from the shroud,need a new one
Finalreminder
Professional amateur
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- 245
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- Denbighshire
If your welding is anything like your photographic skills I'd throw the towel in lol
Only jesting
Only jesting
hey my photographic skills is art,I could enter the Turner prize with such skillsIf your welding is anything like your photographic skills I'd throw the towel in lol
Only jesting
Thanks runnach. The pic is not helpful,but I'm not welding onto cast,I've cut out flanges. It helps when the wire feed cooperates. I find that it is important to keep the torch cable straight as possible. I'm not too pleased on having to buy the disposable cannisters,they don't last long
arkangel06
Senior Member
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- 132
muhahahahahaha
just kidding
just kidding
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- 17,347
It's difficult to judge welds when the picture quality isn't too good and without meaning to sound rude the welds don't look too good. I've tried alu mig and I can sympathise, my efforts weren't much better. The welds look very cold and blobby and as a result will be weak. Are you able to get some similar parts to practice on? That would help you get a feel for suitable settings and technique. It's unfortunate that ac/dc tigs are so expensive, it really is the best way to weld alu.
Just out of interest, what is your steel welding like? Can you lay down a nice looking bead on mild steel or do you find that a bit of a struggle too? I only ask because if you are a novice, alu isn't the ideal material to learn on.
Just out of interest, what is your steel welding like? Can you lay down a nice looking bead on mild steel or do you find that a bit of a struggle too? I only ask because if you are a novice, alu isn't the ideal material to learn on.
This is something of an understatement!
The issues you come across with MIG welding aluminium are the same as DC Tig welding aluminium (weld won't flow, drop through is just around the corner, very difficult to work out exactly what is happening) plus you have the horrors of wire feed. Aargh!
I used to do a lot of oxy/acetylene ali welding and, provided you have the right flux and goggles found it much easier than any of the DC processes.
I'm half way though the fabrication of a plenum chamber for the Cinq Turbo. I'm using weber/pico injectors which have the same end fittings as the original old style weber ones that were fitted to the inlet mani stub I'm hacking about, so needed to reposition the holes that fit the fuel rail by welding on some big slugs of aluminium bar and sending it off to my friendly machinist to mill everything nice and flat.
The results look horrible, but it's on well enough. A little work with a file and my Dremel-a-like will make it look a bit prettier. After all the welding is done I'll use an aluminium filled epoxy to tidy it up and use red crackle paint to render it gorgeous.
Then I'll post all the pics: at the moment I'm just too embarased!
