hf MIG welder can't weld alumium?

[r97]

just curious why, is it just feeding problems, or am i missing something? could you weld aluminum with it anyway?

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders/230-volt-160-amp-mig-and-flux-welder-93793.html

Thanks!


EDIT: just noticed, on the HF website the welder is labeled as 140 A, but if you look at the link it says 160A, hmmm.....

 

[devino246]

feeding problems. Aluminum is much softer than steel.

 

[Badot]

Devino beat me.

Just curious for my own sake though, would it work if you were careful not to kink the torch line or anything, or would it be more trouble than it's worth? Also, how about a spool gun?

 

[r97]

thats what i figured. if you were to find a new short Teflon gun (or spool gun)that fit could it work?

 

[devino246]

thats what i figured. if you were to find a new gun that fit could it work?

Probably but those guns are really expensive.

 

[r97]

darn, just as i feared!

thanks for the help though!

 

[redsox985]

Spool gun? Although I doubt that's an option for a HF welder.

 

[r97]

thats what i thought, but hf doesn't carry them, and they are pretty expensive.

LOL, jam a piece of tungsten into the electrode then get some aluminum TIG filler rod?

 

[redsox985]

Oh, what the he//! Isn't your welder still under warranty? Try it out. You'll need shielding gas though.

 

[r97]

hmmm, i don't have any shielding gas..... maybe i could ex-hail on the weld a lot? or use a party balloon helium tank?

 

[redsox985]

Worst comes to worst I guess you could point the helium nozzle right at the weld although I believe it's only ever used in a mix for welding stainless. Please correct me if I'm wrong (I wouldn't doubt it if I was). It couldn't be bad, it just may not go as well as it could.

 

[oscaryu1]

Replace steel liner with like teflon tube, and add a barb to the nozzle lol. Switch polarity to DCEP and have fun :O