Aluminum welding for beginners?

wkparker said:

Looking for advice on equipment needed to get me started welding aluminium. I have a fair amount of experience welding steel, and own a small Lincoln MIG welder that suffices for my shop projects.

A couple of projects I have in mind now would be better if made using aluminium, but I see so much conflicting advice that I thought I'd ask the GJ experts where to start. I'm not building race cars or rocket ships, so just looking for a place to start.

Sorry if this has been asked.., a search didn't turn up what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

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OK, to be clear, I know even less about welding than you do wkparker. But I'm trying to learn more my self. From my research and assuming you want to keep it on the cheap...here is what I think you need to do, get a MIG spool gun (google it) because aluminum wire won't go through your current setup with out binding up. Assuming you are using a gas blend currently you need to switch to 100% argon for your shielding gas. I also think you need to switch polarity on your welder. I say this all very authoritatively and yet without any real knowledge or experience to back it up because...

... a lot of times the people that really know about this stuff won't respond to a simple request for knowledge...but boy o boy will they come out to tell someone who acts like an expert just how wrong and stupid they (me) really are. Hopefully now they'll start posting up here with the info you need...but be prepared for a few "you need to buy a Miller this or a Hobart that" responses where they don't really give you the info you need and yet they are allowed to post as experts with their one line answers and just expect you to take their word for it with your money.
Best wishes, and I'll learn here with you while I selflessly take all the arrows.

OK, to be clear, I know even less about welding than you do wkparker. But I'm trying to learn more my self. From my research and assuming you want to keep it on the cheap...here is what I think you need to do, get a MIG spool gun (google it) because aluminum wire won't go through your current setup with out binding up. Assuming you are using a gas blend currently you need to switch to 100% argon for your shielding gas. I also think you need to switch polarity on your welder. I say this all veryand yet without any real knowledge or experience to back it up because...... a lot of times the people that really know about this stuff won't respond to a simple request for knowledge...but boy o boy will they come out to tell someone who acts like an expert just how wrong and stupid they (me) really are. Hopefully now they'll start posting up here with the info you need...but be prepared for a few "you need to buy aor aresponses where they don't really give you the info you need and yet they are allowed to post as experts with their one line answers and just expect you to take their word for it with your money.Best wishes, and I'll learn here with you while I selflessly take all the arrows.

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In addition to the cost of the welder itself, don’t forget to include costs for the accessories and supplies you’ll need to operate your new welder. This includes welding protection (helmet, gloves, jacket, etc.) as well as gas and consumables.

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