Good job. A few pointers, the gun should always be pushed. The gas should be set 25 - 50. The nozzle should be between 3/8 and 1/2" from work piece. If you push and keep a 5 -15* angle it will eliminate a lot of the porosity you are getting along with the gas being higher and cleaning the metal before the weld. To adjust the weld speed and heat, you want to hear a sound like cooking bacon and you will be close. Just wanted to offer some tips. You are very talented and have a excellent channel.
just watching this now, 3 months later. Love it!! My brother in law passed his mig welder on to me and I have never taken the time to do exactly what you are doing in this video. I only tried once and thought the same thing about wire speed as a first timer. so, it is interesting to see someone go through the same trials and thoughts. I need to take a couple hours watching vids like this, then a half day just running beads. like you said... I forget the phrase but basically, work through my failures.
Everything has a learning curve and practice is gold. You'll only getting better with time and experience. Kudos to JDS Outdoors for donating the welder. Can't wait to see how this new skill fits into your building projects in the future.
As a welder first, I have been working on my fab skills, so its all something you can put in your toolbox as a builder. But yea, honestly a lot of hte time its actually easier and more economical to fabricate and fasten. I work in the robotic industry and there is a reason a lot of the stuff we assemble on site is pre engineered to be fastened. Also, its easier to make a field repair with rivets or fastners etc.... you dont need a power source. With that said....learn tig my man. Your a great fabricator and builder but you need to be mastering AC HIGH FREQUENCY TIG.
Just to Add one thing to what Gregg Perry Gave you for advice... Aluminum Has to be very clean when welding. One tip is to clean the Aluminum with a very fine grit of sandpaper ( 220 grit ) and then wipe with Acetone. this will help greatly with your penetration and porosity.
I had a spool gun, I bought a TIG and never looked back. I ended up selling my spool gun. Maybe it’s just me but I think TIG is way easier. I work in aerospace, I fabricate parts. The welders taught me so much. I’m not a welder by trade but I did spend over 30 years in the collision repair business. Mig was second nature to me. Now I would rather TIG everything, Steel too.
pond tini the flat pontoons 12 L x 24 w x16 in h a taperd front are better then the round ones they are more stable that would be a fun project to look at
welding for 18 years ..steel and aluminum...we run miller 252 for steel and miller 350p is with a xr pro push pull gun with a helium mix gas ... we do custom aluminum balconies and everything else .....aluminum is a whole different ballgame .....main thing for aluminum is clean , clean , clean ....stainless brush ...and acetone wipe down ....aluminum heats up way faster ....practice practice practice ..!!!!....push don’t pull and keep your stick out further than with a mig with steel
The 350p is what we have at nates shop in IL it's awesome. When I sent the hobart to Mike I replaced it with a millermatic 255 with the 30a and a multimatic 220 tig.
Gregg pretty much said it all. Push, NEVER pull, keep your angle vertical, and make sure you're using stainless wire brushes. Aluminum with a spool gun (mig) is dirty, just the nature of the beast. Also, don't keep practicing on same piece, you're heat soaking it and then you second guess your settings 👍👍👍
No problem with DC with a spool gun on thicker materials. AC better with TIG but DC is fine with a gun. Aluminum is more finicky. Clean oxide off and leave more stick out compared to mig and steel. Travel speed is faster too. 1/16 i couldn't do good with spool gun. Stainless steel brush and acetone helps.
Would love to see a DIY trailer build - something simple and budget friendly. Take an old equipment trailer and build a trailer on top. (After you finish the pontoon, of course!)
Your speed needs to be just right both gun feed and your hand travel If you turn your feed down too low you will melt tips You will eventually see that you wont get weld bumps, and that you can weld alot more than you think!
Use .030 dia. wire and your using way too much stickout. 5356 filler wire will give you better results but it will be a little more "sooty". If the voltage settings on the heat dial go down to a sufficient level, you should be able to mig .050 aluminum with .030 wire. One of the most important things to do is brace your body and the hand that is holding the mig gun barrel on something to to make a steady weld. Try short little dashes ¼"-⅜". Always push the weld by about 15°. Down hand welds are ok on thin material using drag technique. You will have to get your face within 8 to 12 inches to see clearly small welds like this. Position ànd position comfort is very important.
Aluminum is definitely difficult to weld! I enjoy watching you learn the process though. At one time I was certified to weld non-structural steel and aluminum. One thing I took away from the course though is that before you ever weld on your vehicle (in this case boat) always use scrap metal to dial in your settings.
Slow down your speed. Make sure always keep your peace clean, with a wire brush and acetone, that helps a lot!. Pull not push, and practice practice practice.
I wish you would have bought the Harbor Freight ProTig 205 for $1,200. It’s an AC TIG welder and people have been getting some great results on Aluminum.
Bro, you need to be tig welding this thin stuff. Spool gun is going to be a better application for heavier wall thicknesses. TIG IS WHERE ITS AT BRO. WITH YOUR FAB SKILLS, IF YOU CAN MASTER TIG YOU WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST.
Good job. A few pointers, the gun should always be pushed. The gas should be set 25 - 50. The nozzle should be between 3/8 and 1/2" from work piece. If you push and keep a 5 -15* angle it will eliminate a lot of the porosity you are getting along with the gas being higher and cleaning the metal before the weld. To adjust the weld speed and heat, you want to hear a sound like cooking bacon and you will be close. Just wanted to offer some tips. You are very talented and have a excellent channel.
I do agree
just watching this now, 3 months later. Love it!! My brother in law passed his mig welder on to me and I have never taken the time to do exactly what you are doing in this video. I only tried once and thought the same thing about wire speed as a first timer. so, it is interesting to see someone go through the same trials and thoughts. I need to take a couple hours watching vids like this, then a half day just running beads. like you said... I forget the phrase but basically, work through my failures.
Yup, I just got a new welder also!
Hell yes two years in the making and it finally happened. That is a kick ass little welder and will serve you well like it served me.
*NOTE: The Hobart handler 190 is NOT an AC welder, but it's still badazz!*
Could be wrong but I think you only need an AC welder for tigging aluminum.
Everything has a learning curve and practice is gold. You'll only getting better with time and experience. Kudos to JDS Outdoors for donating the welder. Can't wait to see how this new skill fits into your building projects in the future.
As a welder first, I have been working on my fab skills, so its all something you can put in your toolbox as a builder. But yea, honestly a lot of hte time its actually easier and more economical to fabricate and fasten. I work in the robotic industry and there is a reason a lot of the stuff we assemble on site is pre engineered to be fastened.
Also, its easier to make a field repair with rivets or fastners etc.... you dont need a power source. With that said....learn tig my man. Your a great fabricator and builder but you need to be mastering AC HIGH FREQUENCY TIG.
Just to Add one thing to what Gregg Perry Gave you for advice... Aluminum Has to be very clean when welding. One tip is to clean the Aluminum with a very fine grit of sandpaper ( 220 grit ) and then wipe with Acetone. this will help greatly with your penetration and porosity.
I had a spool gun, I bought a TIG and never looked back. I ended up selling my spool gun. Maybe it’s just me but I think TIG is way easier. I work in aerospace, I fabricate parts. The welders taught me so much. I’m not a welder by trade but I did spend over 30 years in the collision repair business. Mig was second nature to me. Now I would rather TIG everything, Steel too.
I love this stuff. I would be excited to see your other outdoor adventures. Love your stuff man keep it up.
Thanks!
pond tini the flat pontoons 12 L x 24 w x16 in h a taperd front are better then the round ones they are more stable that would be a fun project to look at
welding for 18 years ..steel and aluminum...we run miller 252 for steel and miller 350p is with a xr pro push pull gun with a helium mix gas ... we do custom aluminum balconies and everything else .....aluminum is a whole different ballgame .....main thing for aluminum is clean , clean , clean ....stainless brush ...and acetone wipe down ....aluminum heats up way faster ....practice practice practice ..!!!!....push don’t pull and keep your stick out further than with a mig with steel
The 350p is what we have at nates shop in IL it's awesome. When I sent the hobart to Mike I replaced it with a millermatic 255 with the 30a and a multimatic 220 tig.
I just bought a brand new 252 any tips on using a spool gun with it..
Gregg pretty much said it all. Push, NEVER pull, keep your angle vertical, and make sure you're using stainless wire brushes. Aluminum with a spool gun (mig) is dirty, just the nature of the beast.
Also, don't keep practicing on same piece, you're heat soaking it and then you second guess your settings 👍👍👍
Thanks
No problem with DC with a spool gun on thicker materials. AC better with TIG but DC is fine with a gun. Aluminum is more finicky. Clean oxide off and leave more stick out compared to mig and steel. Travel speed is faster too. 1/16 i couldn't do good with spool gun. Stainless steel brush and acetone helps.
Would love to see a DIY trailer build - something simple and budget friendly. Take an old equipment trailer and build a trailer on top. (After you finish the pontoon, of course!)
Coming soon!
Your speed needs to be just right both gun feed and your hand travel
If you turn your feed down too low you will melt tips
You will eventually see that you wont get weld bumps, and that you can weld alot more than you think!
Use .030 dia. wire and your using way too much stickout. 5356 filler wire will give you better results but it will be a little more "sooty". If the voltage settings on the heat dial go down to a sufficient level, you should be able to mig .050 aluminum with .030 wire. One of the most important things to do is brace your body and the hand that is holding the mig gun barrel on something to to make a steady weld. Try short little dashes ¼"-⅜". Always push the weld by about 15°. Down hand welds are ok on thin material using drag technique. You will have to get your face within 8 to 12 inches to see clearly small welds like this. Position ànd position comfort is very important.
Thank you so much for the tips!
Aluminum is definitely difficult to weld! I enjoy watching you learn the process though. At one time I was certified to weld non-structural steel and aluminum. One thing I took away from the course though is that before you ever weld on your vehicle (in this case boat) always use scrap metal to dial in your settings.
I was going to do this to the pinholes in my transom but being it's a riveted 1/16th in. material I chickened out lol.
Tack weld it at a super low setting
Slow down your speed. Make sure always keep your peace clean, with a wire brush and acetone, that helps a lot!. Pull not push, and practice practice practice.
I'm thinking Tiny House Boat in your future.
Soon, my friend. Soon!
It's ok thats why they make grinders
Love it!
I wish you would have bought the Harbor Freight ProTig 205 for $1,200. It’s an AC TIG welder and people have been getting some great results on Aluminum.
It's on my hit list next
@@TinyBoatNation I have been using spoolguns, they are great but TBN needs TIG
Bro, you need to be tig welding this thin stuff. Spool gun is going to be a better application for heavier wall thicknesses. TIG IS WHERE ITS AT BRO. WITH YOUR FAB SKILLS, IF YOU CAN MASTER TIG YOU WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST.
Torch angle is wrong and you should be pushing not pulling aluminum is not clean way too many wrongs going on for anything right to happen
I got it later on.