Welding and Materials

[ERA289FIA]

i a in the middle of a welding class so i am far from an expert. I know aluminum can be welded by a TIG welder. they are a little expensive but they are very nice. I will probably be purchasing a miller 135 mig welder. it can weld up to 1/4 in. steel and runs about $630. it seems like a great welder. we don't get to try TIG welding this class tho. anywho, ya you can weld aluminium, it just takes practice. i am taking classes at a local community college which are held at a metal shop and they are great, they have the equip and supplies. if you can find some classes, they are worth it.

[Tongue Pirate]

We have a few welders at work, including an aluminum spool gun which seems to work really well. I need to go in work clothes some day so i can get in & get dirty.

[rjbh20]

TiG welding aluminum takes a bit of practice and hand/eye/foot coordination, but its great fun. Just be careful not to rest your elbow on the (steel) workbench or you can get a zap you'll remember for a long time

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by Tongue Pirate

We have a few welders at work, including an aluminum pool gun which seems to work really well. I need to go in work clothes some day so i can get in & get dirty.

Dirty is the operative word. With aluminum, both TIG and MIG require clean metal. Especially MIG, since DC current doesn't clean as well as the AC of TIG. Use a solvent to remove any oils and a stainless wire brush immediately before you weld.