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Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
I have a thick piece of cast aluminum that broke in two .
I’d like to mig weld it Would like to use a strong aluminum wire ?
What gas to use ? I’m hoping it’s one of the ones I have already.
I’m guessing I put an nice big bevel on it
I’d really like to be able to fix it but if I just screw it up I’ll go buy a new part it should be
A Standard size doing it more for practice and to see if I can.
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
Aluminum requires 100% argon. Are you using a spool gun, push/pull gun, or do you have a machine that will feed aluminum wire through the normal whip? How thick is the piece and what's it used for? Do you know what kind of cast aluminum it's made from? I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty certain some cast aluminum types really can't be welded.
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
I use 5356 wire and preheat heavy castings to around 350 for mig, depending on the quality of the casting and how much contamination has gotten into the material it may weld nice or it may weld like crap, good luck.
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
I have Argon gas so that works .
It’s about 1 inch 2 inch in thick spots it’s shaped like a I but much more rounded
And tapers to a smaller point .
I have the new miller 255 mig with the pulse Option
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
double bevel...pre heat.. You "might" be able to push 5356 thru the gun, but probably will need a spool gun. You will have to spray transfer it, pushing lots of wire Make stuff VERY CLEAN. If it's a one time deal, you might be better off taking it to a shop .. no discouragement intended.
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
Originally Posted by
CrookedRoads
I use 5356 wire and preheat heavy castings to around 350 for mig, depending on the quality of the casting and how much contamination has gotten into the material it may weld nice or it may weld like crap, good luck.
Bingo! Done that myself many times.
Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
75-25 Helium Argon mix will also give you a hotter weld.
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Re: Thoughts on mig welding thick cast alum
Originally Posted by
lars66
75-25 Helium Argon mix will also give you a hotter weld.
Good catch....I overlooked that in my post above.
Check out my bench vise website:
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Miller Syncrowave 250DX
Millermatic 350P with XR AlumaPro
Miller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3
Hobart Champion Elite
Everlast PowerTig 210EXT