wingnut1969
03-22-2004, 01:47 PM
hey guys .......i wanna try some aluminum and i found a post on here that said ,lincoln website has a good article on aluminum welding......i read it and it says"You will not obtain good results attempting to weld on aluminum with a steel wire electrode.
Instead, our recommendation is that compact MIG welders should be limited to .035" diameter 4043 aluminum alloy filler metal. A 5356 aluminum alloy electrode may commonly be recommended by retailers and distributors, since it is a stiffer wire and can be easier to feed. However, with these types of wire feed welders, there is often not enough amperage to achieve a good weld with 5356. Even though 4043 is a softer wire, following the proper steps outlined below will ensure good feedability.
Do not use other diameter wires. Specifically, you should avoid 0.030" wire (it is difficult to feed) and 3/64" wire (these compact machines do not typically produce enough current to reliably melt this diameter of wire)."
so is 4043 better? and what diam do i use.....in the article it says avoid .030.why......isnt .035 thicker than.030? my steel wire is .030..............i'm confused lol
thanks guys
Instead, our recommendation is that compact MIG welders should be limited to .035" diameter 4043 aluminum alloy filler metal. A 5356 aluminum alloy electrode may commonly be recommended by retailers and distributors, since it is a stiffer wire and can be easier to feed. However, with these types of wire feed welders, there is often not enough amperage to achieve a good weld with 5356. Even though 4043 is a softer wire, following the proper steps outlined below will ensure good feedability.
Do not use other diameter wires. Specifically, you should avoid 0.030" wire (it is difficult to feed) and 3/64" wire (these compact machines do not typically produce enough current to reliably melt this diameter of wire)."
so is 4043 better? and what diam do i use.....in the article it says avoid .030.why......isnt .035 thicker than.030? my steel wire is .030..............i'm confused lol
thanks guys