Aluminum mig welding question

[Lucky Dog]

I'm trying to learn how to mig weld aluminum.

I have a Lincoln 210mp with a spool gun, and argon.

My question is that when I pull the trigger, the wire hits the piece, but there is no arc for a split second. I can feel the wire push back on the gun before it starts welding. Sometimes the wire will push off to the side and out of the weld area.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

 

[RNeumann]

Bad ground is the first thought

 

[Shaneard]

Either bad ground or dirty material. Aluminum has to be super clean where your welding and also where your ground clamp is.

 

[Lucky Dog]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check my ground. I make sure the aluminum is clean, but to be honest, have not looked at the ground clamp. Maybe that needs a little cleaning also.

Thanks!

 

[RNeumann]

Notorious problem- a lot of folks replace them.

 

[Oldpath05]

1> Plastic liner in mig gun, 2>Smooth drive rolls, 3> Contact tip one size bigger, 4> Good ground, 5> A book with list of curse words............

 

[Big Barn]

5> memorize to save time. Write down newly created phrases for future reference.

 

[RNeumann]

1> Plastic liner in mig gun, 2>Smooth drive rolls, 3> Contact tip one size bigger, 4> Good ground, 5> A book with list of curse words............

I think OP is trying the spool gun. 5 applies to both though!!

 

[Oldpath05]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^:thumbsup: 6> Open window before throwing hammer.

 

[Oldpath05]

I think OP is trying the spool gun. 5 applies to both though!!

No spool gun, the last time I mig welded aluminum I replaced liner with a plastic liner, but just remember to take it back out for steel welding. Although a spool gun might be a good option and my Miller Matic is built for it but I dont know.

 

[yomax4]

I suggest a cobra push pull system at about 3k and a digital Synergic twin pulse power supply at approx 7K. If this is a no go then be sure to secure the ground on clean aluminum and preset hotstart if available. if not. Start in the middle and work back. Good luck and enoy ! Aluminum is awesome.

 

[Big Barn]

I can vouch for the Cobra push-pull system. I liked it. The power source mine was attached to, (Miller 350P) not so much.....

 

[RNeumann]

Mig Welding Aluminum with a Spool Gun - YouTube

 

[RNeumann]

And good discussion on grounding etc

Mig Welding Basics - YouTube

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Learn what true spray is and looks like. So many people try to short circuit weld aluminum.

 

[Stimw]

Check 3 things, ground- wire to clamp connection, welding wire dirty, or tip dirty.
Also spool gun connections.