Where do I find info about what size wire to use? I'm looking to weld 1/8-1/4" aluminum. Does in use argon gas? Thanks!
870836
I'm also using.035 wire with mine. You will need to run a bit hotter then what you chart calls for.
870837
Actually you can use a helium and argon mix to get more heat. Do some research but I believe it is 75% argon 25% helium. This can help when using a welder with this power to get a little more out of it.
870838
You can use .030 or .035 the Spoolrunner will accept both. I bought .030 because that is what Home Depot had in stock. Welding aluminum requires 100% Argon gas. I have not tried a mix but all the documentation I have seen said use Argon only. This link has all the specifications. http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/spoolguns/spoolrunner-100/
870839
Yes argon will work fine, I got the spool gun for my shop. Works very very well.
870840
Hobart web site is the best to find good information. You can only use 100% argon gas. There are a number of tips that work. Clean material is a must. Have tools designated as aluminum only, hand wire brush and 4" grinder wire wheel. Also, practice on scrape. It is a really fast process, you have to weld faster than steel welding. You can push better than pulling the puddle. I as weird as it sounds you can well down hill easy. If you don't have Aluminum grinding wheels for your grinder. The aluminum fills up the wheel fast, but if you run candle wax on the wheel before it last a lot longer. You have to do it every few minutes. I hope this helps. Oh, keep a number of tips on hand. Hobart web site is the best to find good information. You can only use 100% argon gas. There are a number of tips that work. Clean material is a must. Have tools designated as aluminum only, hand wire brush and 4" grinder wire wheel. Also, practice on scrape. It is a really fast process, you have to weld faster than steel welding. You can push better than pulling the puddle. I as weird as it sounds you can well down hill easy. If you don't have Aluminum grinding wheels for your grinder. The aluminum fills up the wheel fast, but if you run candle wax on the wheel before it last a lot... » Read More Hobart web site is the best to find good information. You can only use 100% argon gas. There are a number of tips that work. Clean material is a must. Have tools designated as aluminum only, hand wire brush and 4" grinder wire wheel. Also, practice on scrape. It is a really fast process, you have to weld faster than steel welding. You can push better than pulling the puddle. I as weird as it sounds you can well down hill easy. If you don't have Aluminum grinding wheels for your grinder. The aluminum fills up the wheel fast, but if you run candle wax on the wheel before it last a lot longer. You have to do it every few minutes. I hope this helps. Oh, keep a number of tips on hand. « Show Less
870841
Yes I used Argon gas and be sure to read the numbers on the inside of the door as well as PUSH the aluminum rather than pull as you will burn through.
870842
you can use argon and ..030 wire would be a good choice and the gun does come with both .030 and .035 contact tips..035 wire might be better for the 1/4"
870843
Hobart web site is the best to find good information. You can only use 100% argon gas. There are a number of tips that work. Clean material is a must. Have tools designated as aluminum only, hand wire brush and 4" grinder wire wheel. Also, practice on scrape. It is a really fast process, you have to weld faster than steel welding. You can push better than pulling the puddle. I as weird as it sounds you can well down hill easy. If you don't have Aluminum grinding wheels for your grinder. The aluminum fills up the wheel fast, but if you run candle wax on the wheel before it last a lot longer. You have to do it every few minutes. I hope this helps. Oh, keep a number of tips on hand.
870844
the size of wire to use is listed most of the time with the welder manual that you are using the spooler with. the smaller units can only use the smaller diameter size wire. when your not sure always use the smaller size wire, that way the wire will flow better, make take a little longer to make the weld. When welding aluminum 1/8 to 1/4 always use pure argon
870845
Google it. Also you should consider the aluminum you are welding, much of it is a mixture of aluminum and another metal. Heating aluminum makes it easier to weld too. If you are welding aluminum you need to use 100% argon gas.
870846
.030 or .035 are both fine. Gun comes with rollers to fit both sizes. The 030. will have a smaller puddle with slightly less heat but i use 035 as well. Either is fine.. Both sizes are usually in stock at rural king or a similar store. Strait argon gas.
870847
Google welding chart.you can use .035 or .030. Just feed and temp settings are different.Use 100 percent Argon with aluminum.Good luck
629242
I think what you are asking is what the duty cycle is. It all depends on the heat setting you are using at the time. The duty cycle at about 140 amps is close to 100%, and drops to about 30% at 250 amps. I don't know what you will be welding, but even on pretty heavy iron (3/8" or so) using .035 solid wire and co2/ argon gas, I seldom ever use more than 125, to 140 amps, so I never exceed the 100% duty cycle. But I also very seldom have long enough welds at a time to matter. The welder I had before I bought the Ironman 230, was just a 150 amp with about a 30% duty cycle at 120 amps, and it was still going after nearly 30 years, and I used it for some pretty big projects. I think what you are asking is what the duty cycle is. It all depends on the heat setting you are using at the time. The duty cycle at about 140 amps is close to 100%, and drops to about 30% at 250 amps. I don't know what you will be welding, but even on pretty heavy iron (3/8" or so) using .035 solid wire and co2/ argon gas, I seldom ever use more than 125, to 140 amps, so I never exceed the 100% duty cycle. But I also very seldom have long enough welds at a time to matter. The welder I had before I bought the Ironman 230, was just a 150 amp with about a 30% duty cycle at 120 amps,... » Read More I think what you are asking is what the duty cycle is. It all depends on the heat setting you are using at the time. The duty cycle at about 140 amps is close to 100%, and drops to about 30% at 250 amps. I don't know what you will be welding, but even on pretty heavy iron (3/8" or so) using .035 solid wire and co2/ argon gas, I seldom ever use more than 125, to 140 amps, so I never exceed the 100% duty cycle. But I also very seldom have long enough welds at a time to matter. The welder I had before I bought the Ironman 230, was just a 150 amp with about a 30% duty cycle at 120 amps, and it was still going after nearly 30 years, and I used it for some pretty big projects. « Show Less
1984738
Out of the box NO - I tried the aluminum rods without any success. It is DC but with a TIG torch and gas tank you can. What I have read online you can weld aluminum with DC but it is better with an AC unit. AS of yet I have not had the chance to set up my attachments to verify this.
349519
Any fine diameter silver solder will work fine. Rule of thumb is to always use solder with a smaller diameter than the wire you're trying to solder, I always try to use 0.032 for just about anything.
1391545
I have a 125 welder and this only uses flux core, I also, have a 140 with shielded gas and it use both flux core and solid wire.
50920
Not without a spoil gun and the correct gas. Your skill level and grade of aluminum will determine how strong your weld is. Eastwood sells this welder with the kit you need.
658420
Glad to help. This kit is great. Comes in very handy when needed. However, I believe #8 gauge is the largest wire it can be used on.
744652
Yes it can. If you add a spool gun and Argon gas it will weld aluminum I've been told. I have never tried it tho.
438797
I have been using .023 for sheet metal , and .030 in for welding a custom bumper together , I've also used .035 in several passes (3) when I lengthen a pick up truck frame (light duty truck) and had NO problems . One thing thou is dedicate a fuse and outlet , If you find need for an extension cord use at least a 10 ga. wire but still hooked to your dedicated fuse out side of that I would put the longevity 140 up against a hobart any time.
1697056
It can be used with aluminum wiring just as you would use it with copper. I would suggest rewiring from aluminum to copper ASAP though. Wiring smaller than 6 gauge ( ex-12/2 and 14/2 romex style can get very brittle if ever heated from high draw) so what you can replace I would suggest. There are adapters and electrolytic gel you use to connect copper to aluminum wire, google search more information on it.
932632
With out getting too technical 12 agw is best 14agw will do and pass on 16agw. For the tech stuff see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gaugeHope this helps.
227795
I use the Lincoln 0.35 wire, it's a good all around type of wire and it's inexpensive.
718888
It welds aluminum fine . Ive done several jobs with it for aluminum, all small stuff nothing over 1/8 thickness .never had a problem with the machine just takes a few trys to find the sweet spot for the balance and frequency
1857911
I believe to biggest roll you can use is a 10lb roll. You can only use 10lb roll to weld steel as aluminum welding would require the spool gun not included with your purchase. Great unit for the price.
1793212
I do not know for certain. The standard wire spool is for steel and may work also for stainless but you will need the maximum power setting for stainless. Stainless requires much more heat to weld properly. You may want to check with a local welding supply and they will be able to tell you for certain.
682147
it can run .030 and .035 welding wire so long as the coordinating "tip" is in place on the mig gun. I found my best results were using Lincoln NR-211MP .035" wire with a .035" copper tip in place on the mig gun. Both available at your local Home Depot and in-stock normally.
2279456
Mostly for welding Aluminum --requires an Aluminum wire spool and Argon gas (and a welder, in this case a Hot Max). Works great for me.