Aluminum welding machine - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Backwoods101 · 10-23-2019, 08:49 AM

I’m looking for the best setup for performing weld repair on aluminum trailers and figured I’d pick y’all’s brains. What’s the best machine/ setup in y’all’s opinion?

Thanks in advance

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Ramball36 · 10-23-2019, 08:52 AM

I've been researching this pretty recently, I will be adding a Miller Alumapro XR gun to one of my Millermatic 252's. It's a push pull gun instead of a spool gun, a lot less bulky than a spool gun.

Backwoods101 · 10-24-2019, 04:54 PM

Ttt

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Silvey · 10-24-2019, 05:01 PM

Look up Mr. Tig, a few guys from the shop bought the yellow inverter ac/dc high frequency machine, its a lot cheaper than the other 2, and has held up good for them.

Backwoods101 · 10-25-2019, 06:34 AM

Thx fellas, I’ll check em out

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Backwoods101 · 10-25-2019, 12:52 PM

Ttt

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crumrw · 10-25-2019, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvey

Look up Mr. Tig, a few guys from the shop bought the yellow inverter ac/dc high frequency machine, its a lot cheaper than the other 2, and has held up good for them.

Are you talking about the AHP machine? If so, I have one of these, and works great. It cost about $800 new when I bought it. Included gas regulator, torch, and foot pedal as well.

Backwoods101 · 10-25-2019, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crumrw

Are you talking about the AHP machine? If so, I have one of these, and works great. It cost about $800 new when I bought it. Included gas regulator, torch, and foot pedal as well.

Good to hear

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Backwoods101 · 10-30-2019, 05:07 PM

Ttt

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Backwoods101 · 11-05-2019, 05:20 PM

Ttt

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Backwoods101 · 11-14-2019, 10:36 AM

Ttt

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Backwoods101 · 11-14-2019, 05:08 PM

Anyone know a good MIG setup?

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bowaddict40 · 11-14-2019, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backwoods101

Anyone know a good MIG setup?

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When I was building Sooner trailers all we used was the miller welders. We ran those things hard all day and I dont remember one ever breaking down.

Backwoods101 · 11-14-2019, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowaddict40

When I was building Sooner trailers all we used was the miller welders. We ran those things hard all day and I dont remember one ever breaking down.

Thanks. Miller is all we run at work TIG welding and they do hold up great.

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Backwoods101 · 12-02-2019, 07:55 PM

Ttt

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Texas Grown · 12-02-2019, 10:09 PM

Miller used to make a lead called a Cobra-matic. It is very similar to the XR being offered. I used one every day when I was working with U-Haul building moving trucks, vans, and trailers 30 years ago. They have a set of rollers in the head of the lead like the XR dose. This helps pull the wire through the lead while the machine pushes it. There is also a wire speed controller in the head of the lead (just like the XR) so that you can adjust for going up or down or around without having to stop and restart. The rollers in the lead that pull the wire through also help keep it from binding up at the machine end, which is what happens when you try to push it through with softer fillers from the machine end alone. Doesn't' happen as much with 5356. But dose happen pretty often at the machine end when using 4043. That is why a set of rollers were put in the head, if that makes sense.

How much amperage do you think you will be needing to do the type of work/repair you will be doing? And how much down time between beads are you willing to take (Duty cycle time). That will determine your power source needs. Then pick a lead type after determining that.

bboswell · 12-03-2019, 12:13 AM

Welding new aluminum is one thing,making weld repairs on older aluminum is another. It is completely possible to lay a pretty MIG bead on old aluminum that doesn’t stick to anything.

If you insist on MIG you best best be stringent on your prep work!

10-23-2019, 08:49 AM	#1
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Aluminum welding machine I’m looking for the best setup for performing weld repair on aluminum trailers and figured I’d pick y’all’s brains. What’s the best machine/ setup in y’all’s opinion? Thanks in advance Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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10-23-2019, 08:52 AM	#2
Ramball36 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Angelo	I've been researching this pretty recently, I will be adding a Miller Alumapro XR gun to one of my Millermatic 252's. It's a push pull gun instead of a spool gun, a lot less bulky than a spool gun.

10-24-2019, 04:54 PM	#3
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-24-2019, 05:01 PM	#4
Silvey Eight Point Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Crosby TX Hunt In: Waelder TX, Crosby TX	Look up Mr. Tig, a few guys from the shop bought the yellow inverter ac/dc high frequency machine, its a lot cheaper than the other 2, and has held up good for them.

10-25-2019, 06:34 AM	#5
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Thx fellas, I’ll check em out Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-25-2019, 12:52 PM	#6
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-30-2019, 05:07 PM	#9
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-05-2019, 05:20 PM	#10
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-14-2019, 10:36 AM	#11
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-14-2019, 05:08 PM	#12
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Anyone know a good MIG setup? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-02-2019, 07:55 PM	#15
Backwoods101 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Harper Hunt In: Gillespie, Kimble	Ttt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-02-2019, 10:09 PM	#16
Texas Grown Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burleson, Texas Hunt In: Kick CoViD's tail!	Miller used to make a lead called a Cobra-matic. It is very similar to the XR being offered. I used one every day when I was working with U-Haul building moving trucks, vans, and trailers 30 years ago. They have a set of rollers in the head of the lead like the XR dose. This helps pull the wire through the lead while the machine pushes it. There is also a wire speed controller in the head of the lead (just like the XR) so that you can adjust for going up or down or around without having to stop and restart. The rollers in the lead that pull the wire through also help keep it from binding up at the machine end, which is what happens when you try to push it through with softer fillers from the machine end alone. Doesn't' happen as much with 5356. But dose happen pretty often at the machine end when using 4043. That is why a set of rollers were put in the head, if that makes sense. How much amperage do you think you will be needing to do the type of work/repair you will be doing? And how much down time between beads are you willing to take (Duty cycle time). That will determine your power source needs. Then pick a lead type after determining that.

12-03-2019, 12:13 AM	#17
bboswell Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery County Hunt In: Where ever I can	Welding new aluminum is one thing,making weld repairs on older aluminum is another. It is completely possible to lay a pretty MIG bead on old aluminum that doesn’t stick to anything. If you insist on MIG you best best be stringent on your prep work!