CAN i WELD ALUMINUM ?

[HUCKthe1]

Brushing Aluminum helps remove oxides but mechanical means is the only way to clean aluminum for welding. That means filing or grinding. Filing is the best because it removes oxides and grinding with aluminum oxide blades helps remove most but still adds oxides. TIG will give the best results but equipment cost is high. The high frequency units are not cheap. AC is the way to go with TIG in this application. MIG might be your best bet or as someone else said build a 1x1 tube frame and attach aluminum to it. Some weld shops might even custom cut and weld some pieces(for a price) for you that can then be mounted to your framework. Have fun which ever way you go.

 

[Rara Avis]

How To Weld Aluminum. By a Beginner, For Beginners

 

[tater digger]

It's a shame you don't have a MIG welder. All you would need is another tank and a spool of aluminum wire.

Also you would need a special handset that pulls the wire through because aluminum mig wire is too soft to push through the sleeve ( big mess, you waste 6 feet of wire every time it jams). these handsets are expensive too.
If your arc welder has outputs for TIG controls and DC, high freq. , you would be better off getting a TIG whip for your old arc box than a whole new MIG system. TIG gives you the most control too, kinda like a torch and rod but faster. It does take two hands to use but clamps and helpers are good to have.

 

[skippy957]

There a cheep way to weld aluminum for under $1000;
Browser Level Verification
Browser Level Verification