How to MIG Weld Aluminum: Spool Gun Aluminum Welding for Beginners

Ғылым және технология

A walkthrough of aluminum MIG welding from square one covering equipment, settings and technique.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), also known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Metal and Gas (MAG) and Wire Feed Welding can be used to weld a wide variety of aluminum parts when done with the right setup and technique. In this video, I demonstrate dialing in the aluminum welding process using a spool gun on a basic MIG welding machine.
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Пікірлер: 310

  • @kevwallace6628
    @kevwallace66283 жыл бұрын

    Dude, just did a simple 2F weld test, and I was watching your video before I went in, you going ‘back and forth’ motion allowed me to ace my test. Smoked it! Never welded aluminum before either

  • @heffegaming

    @heffegaming

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lmao I’m doing the same shit rn I’m outside the place 😭😭

  • @kevwallace6628

    @kevwallace6628

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@heffegaming haha, goodluck! Do what he did

  • @kyleclarke1896

    @kyleclarke1896

    2 жыл бұрын

    Quick question what is a 2f test ?

  • @kevwallace6628

    @kevwallace6628

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kyleclarke1896 2F is fillet weld, 2G is groove (meaning root pass)

  • @kyleclarke1896

    @kyleclarke1896

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kevwallace6628 ohhh Okok thank you 🙏🏾

  • @warrenrodgers6876
    @warrenrodgers68762 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your help with mig welding aluminum.I’m a lifelong welder of 59 and I still try to learn something about welding everyday👍God bless🇺🇸

  • @algordon5843
    @algordon58432 жыл бұрын

    The most comprehensive concise and practical videos on KZread for a beginner. That's my considered opinion after watching a couple of hundred hours of videos over the past 6 months. THANKS MATE Your blood is worth bottling!

  • @marcoshernando6120
    @marcoshernando61202 жыл бұрын

    At last!! Someone that actually explain with examples the adjustment!! Great Job. Thank You 😃

  • @wilsondelosreyes5335
    @wilsondelosreyes53353 жыл бұрын

    TimWelds, you're so good a teacher and in doing easy-to-learn presentation. Thank you so much! Please just continue doing your passion for us followers.

  • @MiklaDfar
    @MiklaDfar3 жыл бұрын

    VERY nice... simple, articulate and to the point... one of the better videos I've seen on MIG welding AL.

  • @TempleThomas
    @TempleThomas3 жыл бұрын

    Just got my spool gun - thanks for the help.

  • @johnnyg5790
    @johnnyg57902 жыл бұрын

    Starting a new job mig welding aluminum. This video gave me a lot of confidence!

  • @somanynamesilltrythis0180
    @somanynamesilltrythis01802 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting this video, it's really helpful. I'm gonna try to do some aluminum welding tomorrow for the first time, so I appreciate all the advice.

  • @andrewjschutz
    @andrewjschutz2 жыл бұрын

    First time watching this guys videos and I already got to express I love his attitude! I’m gonna be checking out more of this dude for sure.

  • @matthewmyers7440
    @matthewmyers74402 жыл бұрын

    I haven't welded aluminum in years and randomly got moved into a fab spot where I work and this was a nice little refresher to watch on lunch. Appreciate it!

  • @karlgreene8489
    @karlgreene84893 жыл бұрын

    Nice job I can understand everything you are laying down thank you!

  • @adamfreeman6679
    @adamfreeman66793 жыл бұрын

    I just ordered the Hobart 240 ironman hopefully this video helps me learn to weld Aluminum.

  • @jdduddy614
    @jdduddy6143 жыл бұрын

    This is a great video. Just simple welding.

  • @cowabungask8r
    @cowabungask8r2 жыл бұрын

    As long as Tim’s making these videos nobody else needs to make welding videos. There’s no point, He’s got this on lock. Great filming, explanation, and welds.

  • @grahamkameron3248

    @grahamkameron3248

    2 жыл бұрын

    I guess Im asking randomly but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any tricks you can give me.

  • @leandrojason1387

    @leandrojason1387

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Graham Kameron Instablaster =)

  • @grahamkameron3248

    @grahamkameron3248

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Leandro Jason i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

  • @grahamkameron3248

    @grahamkameron3248

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Leandro Jason it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

  • @leandrojason1387

    @leandrojason1387

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Graham Kameron No problem :)

  • @MattheuD
    @MattheuD2 жыл бұрын

    This helped me remember how to weld after 10 years not welding alum. Passed weld test. Thank you!

  • @ausfrog381
    @ausfrog3813 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely great video explaining everything

  • @mistermac4118
    @mistermac41189 ай бұрын

    Thank you for some basic advice on the various settings, it was very helpful.

  • @jeepcj3b436
    @jeepcj3b4362 жыл бұрын

    I've watched several of your videos. Very good series - I'm learning a lot - thank you.

  • @mkeyser
    @mkeyser2 жыл бұрын

    Really great info Tim. To start your weld try using a sacrificial piece to arc to then lead into your project, I learned that tip from a welder on youtube.

  • @NN-cw9rb
    @NN-cw9rb8 ай бұрын

    Great video with excellent tips. Makes welding aluminum look not so scary. Thank you for your time!

  • @toddeich333
    @toddeich333 Жыл бұрын

    Really like the way you went into detail. Thank you.

  • @PrimalOutdoors
    @PrimalOutdoors2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks this was very clear and useful Jason

  • @craigrobertson5030
    @craigrobertson50306 ай бұрын

    Been thrust into AL, helped answer some questions

  • @fasteddie..4204
    @fasteddie..42042 жыл бұрын

    Best vid I've found so far..thank you this helped me out quite a bit

  • @MrPatdeeee
    @MrPatdeeee2 жыл бұрын

    VERY good kind Sir. You "cut to the chase". And that is rare and I learned a lot without waiting forever. Thank you.

  • @mikesapp3241

    @mikesapp3241

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes instead of 60 seconds of bullshit looking at the camera. Just do the damn thing and quit talking about subscribing.

  • @davepiotrowski1992
    @davepiotrowski19922 жыл бұрын

    Interesting video. I was told from a mate that you can't weld aluminium with a MIG welder, you need TIG. So, really, with a different alloy gun and wire for you can. Great stuff. 👍

  • @codysmith3404

    @codysmith3404

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ya your mate doesn't know what the fuck hes talking about

  • @nahbro5520
    @nahbro55202 жыл бұрын

    Hey Tom great video! Finally found someone with the identical welder! That helps!!

  • @GOONRID3RFRANKLIN
    @GOONRID3RFRANKLIN2 жыл бұрын

    Great steady and effective technique thank you

  • @e90julien
    @e90julien2 жыл бұрын

    wow. you have such high quality content. can't believe I've never found this channel before

  • @dddddmorgan
    @dddddmorgan3 жыл бұрын

    Looking forward to seeing that H.F. gun get put to use, that's my all purpose machine. Just got my aluminum spool gun and I appreciate the info.

  • @kevinragsdale6256

    @kevinragsdale6256

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can run aluminum on that with no spool gun, I do it like that.

  • @larrydesantiago5206
    @larrydesantiago52063 жыл бұрын

    Appreciate you and this video man! Got my sub

  • @WillPemble
    @WillPemble2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Tim! What a fantastic tutorial :)

  • @ayebee1207
    @ayebee12072 жыл бұрын

    Your video is great. I like the two fire extingushers behind you. Smaller "oh crap" one. And larger "double oh crap!" Cheers!

  • @chrismitchell45
    @chrismitchell453 жыл бұрын

    I just picked up a “new old stock” Klutch 200iDV Multi process welder with Mig(flux and gas)DC Tig, Stick and SPOOL GUN for $300 from Northern Tool!!! Wouldn’t you know it, that eavesdropping, internet AI puts this video in my feed today 😂 Great video as usual, can’t wait to try the spool gun!

  • @kevinragsdale6256

    @kevinragsdale6256

    2 жыл бұрын

    I got a titanium 200 for $200 new in box, and was so excited because it could do tig. Then I realized it won't tig weld aluminum.

  • @2012jcarpenter
    @2012jcarpenter3 жыл бұрын

    Great videos. Thank you!

  • @stevo3644
    @stevo36443 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video and can’t wait to try it out.

  • @charlesh1735
    @charlesh17354 ай бұрын

    I used to weld aluminum McDonald’s arches together that would be mounted on a swing arm that set a top a 3/8” thick 4” pole that was at every McDonald’s in the world. I pumped out 65 to 80 pieces a day using a cobramig 300 push-pull with argon gas. I could change my amperage and WFS right from the gun! While I was using the most cost effective way to pump out more pieces,I remember the older guys using the electrode tungsten guns with filler rods to weld their signs. I remember one old school welder in his early 60’s told me one day,young man you better learn to weld the tungsten way with a filler rod. Because one day you will have no other option. Well guess what? He was right,I have a welding test Monday for a new job and it’s been since welding school about 15 years ago since I used a tungsten electrode with a foot pedal and filler rod. But hopefully by watching your videos it will brush up my Tig welding skills.

  • @tswrench
    @tswrench2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent instruction!

  • @shaanbrown7663
    @shaanbrown76633 жыл бұрын

    Awesome I’m learning something thank you sir.

  • @jadymulqueeney
    @jadymulqueeney3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tim, very good info

  • @onecarwood
    @onecarwood Жыл бұрын

    Great video. Everything I needed to know.

  • @gabeofalltrades0770
    @gabeofalltrades07704 ай бұрын

    Found this super helpful! Thanks!

  • @kermitthefrog6363
    @kermitthefrog63632 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again Tim...it is appreciated!

  • @benjaminstubbs7845
    @benjaminstubbs78453 жыл бұрын

    First video I found. Very well done. Subscribed. ✌🏽

  • @rogicighivare2828
    @rogicighivare28283 жыл бұрын

    Good lesson Sir , thank you.

  • @GuestInvitado-gd3bi
    @GuestInvitado-gd3bi4 ай бұрын

    Nice spool gun you got there Tim. I've never used one, but I am looking forward to try. Since, I already have the welder (HOBART 210), I want to go for it. Thank you for sharing. Oh, you got some nice welds there. Take care my friend.👍👍

  • @sailingkulali
    @sailingkulali3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tim!

  • @alexandergarcia240
    @alexandergarcia2403 жыл бұрын

    I am finally getting around to using the spool gun I bought for my everlast welder. I can't wait to weld some aluminum.

  • @Squatch_830
    @Squatch_8302 жыл бұрын

    Nice video. Very informative. Simple and quick liked it alot

  • @johnjennings8085
    @johnjennings80852 жыл бұрын

    Haha has miller welder uses harbor freight gun. Looks like it works pretty good though. We have a gun like this in the shop, another brand and it bird nests if you look at it side eye instantly. This video explains why thanks.

  • @56WagonWheel
    @56WagonWheel3 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful, thanks

  • @slothsvr8151
    @slothsvr81512 жыл бұрын

    Great info keep up the good work brother

  • @lesdeanjns
    @lesdeanjns3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, and you can use a coupon to start on and ramp on to your metal can help with start up heating metal

  • @jorgerosales609
    @jorgerosales6093 жыл бұрын

    Excellent mate! Gracias

  • @enriquerodriguez1804
    @enriquerodriguez1804 Жыл бұрын

    Good instructions 👍 Thanks guy.

  • @dragon6594
    @dragon6594 Жыл бұрын

    Are you finally a guided get right into it stays in it is great information great video love it thank you so much

  • @ckvasnic1
    @ckvasnic12 жыл бұрын

    Tim, Very nice video. Thank you for shareing your time and knowledge. All the best, Chuck

  • @TimWelds

    @TimWelds

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @ckvasnic1

    @ckvasnic1

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TimWelds Follow-up question. Does the polarity of the gun and ground need to be reversed when useing spool gun on aluminum?

  • @mdandry
    @mdandry9 ай бұрын

    Very helpful, thanks 🙌🏻

  • @matthewlouis167
    @matthewlouis1672 жыл бұрын

    In short circuit transfer the wire doesn't touch the work. A bead of filler metal forms, roughly the size of the diameter of the wire and it transfers to the weld at a rate of around 100 times a second. Slow mo videos of this are really cool.

  • @daveosland3199
    @daveosland31992 жыл бұрын

    With the right set up and wire, I can weld 1/4" 6061 in one pass with my XR30 gun.... Good video!

  • @mikeh2772
    @mikeh27723 жыл бұрын

    Good looking results. Makes me want to go back to using my ESAB ST-23 gun more.

  • @thomasheer825
    @thomasheer8252 жыл бұрын

    Tim I converted my Mig to the Euro Plug setup. makes it easy to switch back and forth with wand and spool gun.

  • @paulrockey830
    @paulrockey830 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic, thank you!

  • @TurboWorld
    @TurboWorld Жыл бұрын

    Very decent! Thanks for the help!

  • @stanleyjobson2556
    @stanleyjobson25563 жыл бұрын

    Good my friend. Very nice video about of aluminum weld

  • @paul_schuette
    @paul_schuette3 жыл бұрын

    Great video!

  • @ar5000
    @ar50002 жыл бұрын

    great video, very helpful. BTW, petroleum products like Vaseline can cause the o-rings to fail. Try using something silicone-based like Molykote 111.

  • @juanmorales2145
    @juanmorales21452 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the video 👍

  • @OrdnanceTV
    @OrdnanceTV2 жыл бұрын

    At 4:14 when you got the voltage dialed in perfect I audibly said "OHOHOOYEEAAHH". I must've eaten my wheaties this morning. Great video, big fan, keep it up.

  • @TheStrlx
    @TheStrlx Жыл бұрын

    Great video ,nice looking mig welds and good information on adjusting the machine I was curious to find out your thoughts on the harbour freight gun compared to the miller ?

  • @nigelbeaumont1109
    @nigelbeaumont11095 ай бұрын

    Great informative Video Sir.

  • @Aaron-hj4cg
    @Aaron-hj4cg2 жыл бұрын

    Tim, truly appreciate the videos you make. I’ve looked everywhere and am having difficulty in getting the “stack o’ dimes”. I’ve tried to match your pace and doing the pause but instead of a distinct dime the weld pools together and it looks smeared. Im getting a nice spray with strong outside corner welds that I can beat with a sledgehammer without shearing. I really am after the look I guess. Thanks again.

  • @chipsammich2078

    @chipsammich2078

    2 жыл бұрын

    Might be running to hot..

  • @ks7002
    @ks70023 жыл бұрын

    Could you describe how you tack weld aluminum using the spool gun? Also would be interesting to see you weld thin gage aluminum. Thanks

  • @andrewhuf6939
    @andrewhuf69392 жыл бұрын

    Very very helpful

  • @zenjon7892
    @zenjon7892 Жыл бұрын

    Gotta say, I prefer TIG for aluminum, because it's what I do at work. I'm getting a home setup for general welding going at home though, and I want to learn this

  • @anarchistangler
    @anarchistangler Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, good at teaching. Thanks. Where is your video about cutting it?

  • @dillonbrowning4408
    @dillonbrowning4408 Жыл бұрын

    Great vid thanks man!!

  • @jmav3783
    @jmav37833 жыл бұрын

    Great video👍

  • @takeit2-11
    @takeit2-119 ай бұрын

    awesome! thanks

  • @scottcarr3264
    @scottcarr32643 жыл бұрын

    We have new "Lorch" brand (german) Mig machines at work, and they will do Pulse and Double Pulse Alluminium, Straight out of the gun, NO Spool gun, I haven't really tried much with that other than a test run on coupons when the salesman showed us what these machines can do, but what I did see was pretty Impressive.

  • @thedillestpickle

    @thedillestpickle

    2 жыл бұрын

    What is double pulse? Is that the waveform control as well as pulse to the wire feed?

  • @2thousand27
    @2thousand273 күн бұрын

    Awesome, thank you so much

  • @rickardo5027
    @rickardo50272 жыл бұрын

    Tim, I have watched this video several times and think it's great. This is my "GO TO" channel for anything welding. At the seven minute mark you appear to be dragging the puddle rather than pushing it. Is it just the optics of the video? I am attempting to weld 1/8" material and would like to know how to finish the weld without a crater at the end with something this thin. Thanks

  • @lordvoldemort9651
    @lordvoldemort96512 жыл бұрын

    As a newbie to welding, i cant escape the subtle yet obvious humor in how everybody is always talking about how far their stick is out 🤭😏

  • @anthonytitian8386
    @anthonytitian83862 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the tip welding on my boat

  • @davecaresforyou7606
    @davecaresforyou7606 Жыл бұрын

    This was amazing

  • @FaizalYacob
    @FaizalYacob2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your howto.

  • @harrypersaud9422
    @harrypersaud94222 жыл бұрын

    Great video sir

  • @bquade70
    @bquade703 жыл бұрын

    Excellent, I subscribed. 👍👍 Just learning... Hobart handler 140.

  • @frankbosley5299
    @frankbosley52992 жыл бұрын

    Great video, Tim! This is super helpful to me as a new welder. Thanks so much!

  • @johnc.wunscheljr2873
    @johnc.wunscheljr28732 жыл бұрын

    thanks for showing spray transfer works. I saw you pulling your weld . I thought your suppose to push on aluminum for better cleaning???. GREAT VIDEQ

  • @draxxmedia4063
    @draxxmedia40632 жыл бұрын

    Thank you much!

  • @JamesKing-yy9sv
    @JamesKing-yy9sv2 жыл бұрын

    Great introduction to spool gun ,I have recently purchased a spool gun , trying to set it for welding 2 mm square tube Perhaps some suggestions on 0.8 mm wire... voltage and speed.. I'm using the metric system mm/ second and VOLTS

  • @seadubya649
    @seadubya6498 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the content. Enjoy watching! Use silicone instead of Vaseline.

  • @SQUIGGLEVISION3D
    @SQUIGGLEVISION3D3 жыл бұрын

    you are a hero

  • @chevyreb8704
    @chevyreb87042 ай бұрын

    Nice video, I have the same Miller 211 and a Miller 100 spool gun. What polarity do you have the leads set for welding aluminum with the spool gun?

  • @vipinpatel4545
    @vipinpatel45452 жыл бұрын

    well explained

  • @rickyharvey9876
    @rickyharvey98763 жыл бұрын

    Hey Tim I need some advice, this upcoming week I have to take a 2g,3g, and 4g weld test. Is there any tips I can use on machine settings for these positions?

  • @summerdude600
    @summerdude6002 жыл бұрын

    Great Video and a lot of helpful tips to get going. One thing I'd like to ask is if you make any modifications to how you'd start off with setting when you use 5356 wire instead of 4043? do you decrease the voltage a little more to start? need more wire speed? just curious if the alloy makes any difference in how you go about your set up?

  • @nigelbeaumont1109

    @nigelbeaumont1109

    5 ай бұрын

    I notice he doesn’t answer

  • @bobbyrose9467
    @bobbyrose94673 жыл бұрын

    Good video

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