Setting up mig to weld alloy

[garth44]

Going to making my own parts for next boat build. Boss has a Lincoln 180 mig. Runs argon shield. Says go for your life. I think I need a new gun with Teflon liner ? What thickness alloy wire should I get . Any other trick to make it work? Mainly making seat bases , welding up steering pulleys , engine mounts etc

[PM]

With the 180A you may get away with 1.2mm, but 0.9mm probably be better for more control welding below 3mm thickness.

Use 100% Argon, NOT Argo-shield

[Nigel]

I think I need a new gun with Teflon liner ?

I can lend you my spare hand piece with teflon liner if you want to have a go... you will also need 100% argon for the welding as PM said

[garth44]

cheers guys. managed to convince my boss that he needed a spool gun. set it up tonight and goes well.

[swifty]

What size wire are you using?

[PM]

managed to convince my boss that he needed a spool gun.

Well done!!!

[garth44]

Using 1mm at the moment have ordered .8

[KevinDoDa]

I'm interested tooo , the spool gun is it a pull or push or both ? and which is best for a novice welder? Have a Magmate 250. Also another hand piece for alloy.

[lq4151]

I just set up my Boc 200 amp Mig to do alloy and its cranks using 1mm wth argon changed rollers.to suit alloy
 got 3 meter hand piece with liner.
 never had a birds nest.
I've found that you must use a tip that's suited to alloy .
 I'm only doing 6 mm at the most but it works fine. Very happy with it

[garth44]

this is the spool gun.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/manufacturing-metalwork/welders/auction-1080012813.htm

easy to set up . give it a good blast over next few weeks when time comes to build engine box , seat bases etc

[PM]

you'll find it way cheaper to buy a 6kg roll rather than 12 0.5kg spools. Once you own a few smaller spools it'll be worth re-spooling them from a larger roll

[mohawk]

Pm's right but dont go nuts with the cordless drill and use a leather glove too slow down the spool . Ive had some epic fails.

[Moab]

Pm's right but dont go nuts with the cordless drill and use a leather glove too slow down the spool . Ive had some epic fails.

you'll find it way cheaper to buy a 6kg roll rather than 12 0.5kg spools. Once you own a few smaller spools it'll be worth re-spooling them from a larger roll

this is brilliant.  I can't believe I've never seen this or heard of it before.  buying 1lb at a time gets old fast.

thanks, matt