welding aluminum mp210

[albrightree]

I got lazy and wanted to try welding aluminum without buying a spoolgun. I probably could have used the Airco Squarewave 250 ac/dc and made it look pretty. Whats the point if they're just going to ram it with a forktruck again anyway. The job was to replace broken gussets on IBC totes. Mostly made from 1/4" aluminum. I replaced with diamond tread plate, and a little added brace behind the gusset. I used lincoln .035 5356 with an aluminum(plastic liner) tapered .035 tip 40cfh straight argon, 20.5v -21.5v 500 IPM. It seemed to work well, not perfect. It sure beat dragging a big machine onto a mezzanine, and the mig gun was easy to use in some of the tight spots. The top wire speed on this machine is 500 ipm on without the spoolgun. These totes weigh about 1500 lbs when full , and the seem to be holding up so far.

[BYW200]

Have you tried 4043 .035 through the mig gun yet? Wondering if it would go through the mig gun without bird nesting up in the machine as some have told me. I'm still looking into which machine would work for general aluminum repairs.

[fps]

Have you tried 4043 .035 through the mig gun yet? Wondering if it would go through the mig gun without bird nesting up in the machine as some have told me. I'm still looking into which machine would work for general aluminum repairs.

I have used both 4043 and 5356 .035 in my machine (not lincoln, but without spool gun), and the 4043 works as long as you don't make any mistakes. One thing for sure is the 4043 welds much nicer, easier and can spray using a fare amount less heat.

[albrightree]

I should be using 4043 on this application, but I figured if I had problems with 5356 then the 4043 would be really bad.The feed tension was set to really low, and it only bird nested twice because it burned back to on the tip in the beginning (my fault). I have 16 more of these totes to weld, so I will give the 4043 a try next. I only using the 1 lb. spools. so its not a major investment. It really saves a lot of time over TIG in a non-critical weld. You can have some bend in the line, but not too much. You can tell when bend is too much, the feed starts falter and the weld begins to skip.

[BYW200]

I have an older Lincoln Pro-Mig 135, bought it at Lowes 16 years ago and has never failed me. The only wire I've used through this machine is flux core wire. Not sure if I should change the liner or not. Never used the regulator that came with it either, hopefully the diaphragm isn't dried out.

[BYW200]

I'm not sure if I should buy another mig just to weld aluminum, or take a chance at running aluminum through this older mig.

[fps]

I'm not sure if I should buy another mig just to weld aluminum, or take a chance at running aluminum through this older mig.

I believe the biggest problem, even if your machine or other guy's machine has the power to spray, without a 100% variable voltage dial, it will be very hard to dial things in.

[albrightree]

I've been really happy with the 210mp , and I think its just as portable as your 135. Welding 1/8" to 5/16" aluminum with no problems, it seems to have enough power. It does a real good job with the flux cored steel too(.035 and .045). I don't know how thick the aluminum is you want to weld, but is 135 amps enough ? The aluminum liner isn't so expensive that you couldn't experiment with it before deciding on a spoolgun, or a new machine. I don't think you'll hurt anything putting aluminum through the 135 mig gun, just have to be patient trying different settings, and clearing out the birdnests occasionally. I didn't buy the 210MP with the intention of ever doing aluminum, but it turns out it works well on a lot of jobs.

[BYW200]

Thanks albrightree, I was thinking that Ill just go get a 125cu bottle of 100% argon, spool of 4043 and go for it. If it fails to perform, at least I'll already have the gas for a new machine.

Oh, I forgot to mention, probably the thickest aluminum I'll weld is around 1/4" at the most, and i'll just make multiple passes.

[albrightree]

I think the most important part is the gun liner lincoln#KP1959-1 for .035 aluminum wire. I got mine for about $50 from Grainger (6JDY3), its for a magnum 100L gun. Some extra tips would probably be good too, That aluminum sure can burn back into the tip fast. The welds in the picture (mine were the spattery ones, not the pulsed mig ones) showed 20.5 volts 133 amp , running 500ipm. Works well enough for boat trailers, dock plates, hand carts, and dumpsters.

[BYW200]

I have the same gun. Think i'll get that liner you have. Those heat settings are what my mig is maxed out at I believe, and it being a 115v machine will probably blow the breaker for sure. Though, if I can weld half the thickness of what you had to weld up, I'll be happy.

[JimboTN]

Since you said you might continue to use this with aluminum on occasion, will you leave the plastic liner in when welding steel or change it back to the original liner?

[albrightree]

I've heard that the steel will contaminate the liner, and when going back to aluminum the weld will look like you didn't clean the aluminum. It only takes about 5 minutes to change the liner, so I always have. I'm almost considering another gun, the 175L is about $275 from the dealer. Maybe a 100L gun would fit on a 210mp? They sure are alot cheaper, but lighter duty.

[Broccoli1]

Does the 210MP come with the spindle adapter to run the bigger rolls of wire?

[Meltedmetal]

Does the 210MP come with the spindle adapter to run the bigger rolls of wire?

Yes, up to 8" spools.

[Broccoli1]

thanks-

got one on the way.

Need a little red around the shop

[Meltedmetal]

I bought one in April. They are still on sale here in Canada but the price went up May 01 mostly due to the exchange rate I think. I paid 1425 minus 250 rebate for 1175 CND. With the price increase they are now 1345 CND after the rebate. Of course we pay taxes @ 15% on the before rebate price.

[Broccoli1]

999.00 with rebate

USD


Just sold the MM211 - older style. $750.00 never liked the way it welded.