KX Riders

General => In General... => Topic started by: kawdude on March 29, 2004, 02:28:33 PM

Title: Welding
Post by: kawdude on March 29, 2004, 02:28:33 PM

Is there anyway to weld aluminum without a TIG.  Seems like I read somewhere that it could be done with Oxy/acet rig.  Anyone know?

Title: Welding
Post by: Paul on March 29, 2004, 02:29:42 PM

Isn't heliarc aluminum welding with a stick?

Title: Welding
Post by: kawdude on March 29, 2004, 02:33:34 PM

I've heard that term but have no idea what that means.  I'm clueless on this subject.  I got stick welder, torch and MIG but thinking about buying a cheap tig if I can't get the job done with the other 3.

Title: Welding
Post by: mikesmith on March 29, 2004, 07:21:36 PM

To make a strong clean weld you need a TIG welder,and when it comes to aluminum the more you pay for one the better,get a miller.My 2 cents.

Title: Welding
Post by: Rick on March 30, 2004, 02:21:53 AM

If it's not high structure stress, you can use a MIG.  You can either spool up aluminum wire or purchase a spool gun and run argon as your shielding gas.  Works well on heavier material, but takes practice on light material.  However, TIG is always best for high stress applications.  

As a note, I do not have a TIG, and have only had one application where a MIG was not up to the task.  Paid a few bucks and had someone else TIG weld the part.

Rick

Title: Welding
Post by: kawdude on March 31, 2004, 05:06:32 AM

I read somewhere that you must use the spool gun.  The aluminum cannot be pushed thru the hose.  Has anyone tried this?

Title: Welding
Post by: mikesmith on March 31, 2004, 06:32:32 AM

Theres a liner you get to make the wire feed through easier and you have to keep the cable flat or itll kink the wire.Not the best set up,but it works.A spool gun allows you to have more freedom in your welding positions,but is heavy and a little harder to hold/control.