MIG Aluminum Weld without using Portable Spool Gun? Yes it’s Possible!
by Ashish Kumar ConsultantsHeard about MIG welding aluminum without a portable spool gun? Thinking of giving
it a try? Well, it is quite understood that spool guns are expensive and come
with several drawbacks.
Undoubtedly, aluminum welding is quite tricky even if you
are using a $250 spool gun. But if you are up for the challenge and have a
little patience, this webcast has come up with tips and techniques to utilize
your welder to MIG weld aluminum without a portable
spool gun. And you will come to know how one of the most popular 120-volt
hobby welding machines does on aluminum straight out of the box-without using a
spool gun.
An Expensive
Accessory
Most of do it yourself welders, sooner or later, need to
tackle an aluminum welding project. The primary job is usually a minor repair
or customization to a vehicle or something around the house. For a one-time
job, you might not want to spend extra money on a spool gun. New spool guns
cost half as much as many hobbyists spend on a welder. And not all MIG welders
can support a spool gun- so using one may not even be an option.
Successful welding with aluminum needs a stable arc. With
its short feed distance, a spool gun provides a steady and reliable feed of the
soft aluminum wire.
As an alternative to a spool gun, it may be possible for you
to adjust your MIG welder so that it can provide a steady, reliable feed of
wire to the weld. Soo if you ca pull this off and if your welder has the power
required, there is no reason you cannot weld aluminum without a portable spool gun.
What are the Drawbacks to the Spool Guns?
Apart from its high cost, there are many other disadvantages
of using a portable spool gun. Spool
guns are heavy and bulky, so they are not at all ideal for faster travel speed
required for aluminum welding, or to be used in tight quarters. Moreover, the
capacity is limited to small and one-pound spools.
So, if you are working in close spaces, or larger projects,
you might prefer using a smaller, lighter MIG torch led from a larger spool.
Reducing
Friction to MIG weld Aluminum without a Spool Gun
It is obviously a delicate act of balancing. You would want
to minimize the drive roller pressure on the wire to prevent squeezing and
deforming the soft wire. The deformed wire will add friction and cause a
hang-up.
On the contrary, you need enough roller pressure to maintain
a smooth, consistent wire feed to the weld. Any slippage of the wire will cause
the electrode o burn back to your contact tip, thus ruining it.
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Created on Jan 15th 2020 04:49. Viewed 427 times.