Bought a Miller Multimatic 200

[Shield Arc]

Here is another one playing with the pulse.

 

[Big Barn]

Me neither really!

I think we've all heard the theory of monkeys pounding on typewriters indefinitely and eventually creating to text the works of Shakespeare.



I liken my welding attempts to that theory.....

This has been my BEST attempt at aluminum mig with pulse OFF. I probably didn't move FAST enough with pulse ON or didn't have it dialled in right to get decent results.





3/64 5356 wire.


Terry

 

[Shield Arc]

Terry that weld doesn't look bad at all!:thumbsup: Little cold on the start is all. Sometimes run on, and run off tabs can help the cold starts, and craters in the stops. When I'm getting ready to stop, I'll back up some to give the crater time to fill.

 

[Big Barn]

Terry that weld doesn't look bad at all!:thumbsup: Little cold on the start is all. Sometimes run on, and run off tabs can help the cold starts, and craters in the stops. When I'm getting ready to stop, I'll back up some to give the crater time to fill.

Thanks, Carl. I'm AWARE of those tips, I just don't weld enough to REMEMBER to utilize them when necessary.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks for sharing Aluminum MIG welds, Terry. When I hopefully get my hands on some scrap this winter I want to start practicing. Though wondering if I should just sell my SpoolMate (NIB) and put it towards a dedicated TIG and learn that way? My Miller 211 is all I got for machines.

 

[Big Barn]

Thanks for sharing Aluminum MIG welds, Terry. When I hopefully get my hands on some scrap this winter I want to start practicing. Though wondering if I should just sell my SpoolMate (NIB) and put it towards a dedicated TIG and learn that way? My Miller 211 is all I got for machines.

Mark.

IMHO since you ALREADY OWN IT, the spool gun is worth way more to you than selling it. (By all means plan and save for a dedicated tig.)

The way I look at it is you're ONLY an argon bottle away from welding aluminum. Not to mention you'd have to acquire the argon for EITHER process.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Mark.

IMHO since you ALREADY OWN IT, the spool gun is worth way more to you than selling it. (By all means plan and save for a dedicated tig.)

The way I look at it is you're ONLY an argon bottle away from welding aluminum. Not to mention you'd have to acquire the argon for EITHER process.

Terry

Probably a wise decision.

 

[Shield Arc]

Though wondering if I should just sell my SpoolMate (NIB) and put it towards a dedicated TIG and learn that way?

Remember that Kid I helped build that telescoping bike frame?
In no time at all I had him Tig welding aluminum like this. You're way smarter than he is!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Sodo]

Looks like I'd better hurry up & get a bottle while this thread slightly resembles its subject.

 

[dragoneggs]

Looks like I'd better hurry up & get a bottle while this thread slightly resembles its subject.

Good plan!

 

[Sodo]

Looks like I'd better hurry up & get a bottle while this thread slightly resembles its subject.

Good plan!

Now WAIT just a friggin minute! MultiMatic 200 Owners manual .pdf

I HAVE an Argon bottle from TIG'n. For some silly reason I was thinking I needed something different than the gas used for TIG. I could have crankedup that Spoolmate100 back when I got the TIG set up. Dangit. But that means I get to weld Aluminum TODAY. :thumbsup:

 

[Big Barn]

Now WAIT just a friggin minute! MultiMatic 200 Owners manual .pdf

I HAVE an Argon bottle from TIG'n. For some silly reason I was thinking I needed something different than the gas used for TIG. I could have crankedup that Spoolmate100 back when I got the TIG set up. Dangit. But that means I get to weld Aluminum TODAY. :thumbsup:

I was kinda WONDERING when you were going to realize that. LOL

Terry

 

[Sodo]

OK I'm welding! Had a little setback because the MultiMatic200 uses the MIG's gas valve for the Spoolmate. But Aluminum MIG welding uses Argon, which is the OTHER gas circuit (the TIG valve). So to make this "easy" I assembled a little adapter out of more CPC gas connectors to quickly connect the TIG Argon bottle to the welder.

Here's my first ALUMINUM weld with the Spoolmate 100. I think this is gonna work out FINE!

 

[Big Barn]

OK I'm welding! Had a little setback because the MultiMatic200 uses the MIG's gas valve for the Spoolmate. But Aluminum MIG welding uses Argon, which is the OTHER gas circuit (the TIG valve). So to make this "easy" I assembled a little adapter out of more CPC gas connectors to quickly connect the TIG Argon bottle to the welder.

Here's my first ALUMINUM weld with the Spoolmate 100. I think this is gonna work out FINE!

Nice Sodo!

Here's an alternative for connections if anyone's in need.

Quick couplers from Western Enterprises. Blue is for inert gases.

Green and red are for oxy-fuel (respectively.)

Terry

 

[yomax4]

Sodo (Dragoneggs and others) I can only ASSUME my Tweco spool gun for my Thermal Arc 181i is similar to your Spoolmates.

View attachment 489551

Here's my first mini project 3 years ago when I bought it. 1/4" (pushing the limits obviously by the looks of it) material for a wall mount spool holder for rolls of emery cloth. 650 IPM. 24.9 volts. Inductance set at 1.

View attachment 489552

I would HIGHLY recommend looking into the spool gun modifications BuckitCase referenced.

These days I only use this setup for light materials such as the .100 bright tread aluminum plate I use to fabricate belt guards.

View attachment 489553

View attachment 489554

Okay, guys. Hope that's some incentive to grab a bottle of argon.

Terry

Yes, The Spoolmate and the Tweco / Thermal Arc spool gun both come from the same plant in China. Work ok for light Alum.

 

[dragoneggs]

So I am to understand I need more than just a bottle of Argon, eh? Okay I'm paying attention. I will say that if my first Al weld comes out like that I would be dancing. :cool2: Of course I would probably then throw my back out in the process. :laughing:

 

[Sodo]

You move a lot FASTER than with steel, and no funny "J" motion, just like hot glue. So many little things I've made over the years I wanna re-make them with Aluminum now.

 

[dragoneggs]

You move a lot FASTER than with steel, and no funny "J" motion, just like hot glue. So many little things I've made over the years I wanna re-make them with Aluminum now.

No stacking dimes eh? I guess that is just TIG?

 

[Shield Arc]

Sodo did you push or pull that aluminum weld? If you are right handed, holding the spool gun in your right hand, and you traveled from the right to left, that would be pushing.

 

[Sodo]

I think I went left to right. Starting with the nozzle angled back over the weld (as I had read to do) but when it got going I just rotated the gun. Heck I don't know I just wanted to dance when it worked out! I need to do a lot more befor welding on aluminum that is "purchased" and part of a "project ".

Agreed it's sorta ugly compared to TIG. But its all I've got for Aluminum. 1/8th is good. Now I just want to know if I can weld 3/16 & 1/4 with this rig.