Stick welding aluminum
- Thread starter mikefromnh
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OP
mikefromnh
Gold Member
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- Mar 7, 2009
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It's interesting you have it labeled 0.0 arc force. This was the first time I was wondering if I could have benefited from adjustable arc force.
A couple more pics
117 amps
Before and after wire brushing the flux.
A couple more pics
117 amps
Before and after wire brushing the flux.
Shield Arc
Super Member
I'm thinking the OP was just stating that for a small aluminum repair, aluminum stick is a cheap good fix. As far as aluminum mig welding goes, everybody that can mig weld steel, can mig weld aluminum, and it does come out a lot better, but to stick weld aluminum, you have to be good at stick welding, and then it's a challenge. Then you have the cost set up for aluminum mig welding.
I've welded a small aluminum project before with 1/8 stick on 1/4" thick angle bar, worked ok I thought, the welds was strong and lasted, I think I set my DC welder on DC straight, on the stop and starts, I cut the end of the rod for a better arc re-start.
I've welded a small aluminum project before with 1/8 stick on 1/4" thick angle bar, worked ok I thought, the welds was strong and lasted, I think I set my DC welder on DC straight, on the stop and starts, I cut the end of the rod for a better arc re-start.
5030
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Just before welding use a stainless steel wire brush on the weld zone. And a little preheat helps too..... Yep.
I keep my stainless wire brush in the consumable drawer under my Lincoln TIG machine. Always handy.Right with my TIG finger and doeskin gloves.
I keep my stainless wire brush in the consumable drawer under my Lincoln TIG machine. Always handy.Right with my TIG finger and doeskin gloves.
5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 25,733
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
Been kicking around an ESAB Pulsed Mig with a push-pull gun. I demo'd one here at the shop and the weld asthetics are amazing. TIG in appearance and 3 times the speed.
Shield Arc
Super Member
I've done some repair work with stick before. Actually, the first time I did it I was surprised how well it worked and how strong it turned out. However, unless it is something remote in the field, my spoolgun is the go to and that's after a good brushing with my stainless steel wire brush that hangs on the wall dedicated for aluminum.
Stimw
Elite Member
I have used them in the past.
The learning curve is straight up!
KEEP the rods in a container! If you lay the rods down they will become wet in minutes!
The learning curve is straight up!
KEEP the rods in a container! If you lay the rods down they will become wet in minutes!
That's no joke. I did a repair and left the remaining rods in the plastic container they came in. Next morning I had some overpriced short pieces of aluminum wire.
