Looking for a TIG welder for aluminum

Oak · #1 12-08-2021, 01:40 PM

Hey all, I have a question about welding cast aluminum. I recently picked up a 2072 with a broken tab on the front of the transmission. I know the front tabs are not needed with the brace kit that I will install on this machine but I would like to try and weld it back on. I have an Esab 252i mig, tig & stick machine that I thought had the capability of welding aluminum but it can only weld DC tig. So, I will need an AC tig machine but don’t want to drop $2k on one. I found the attached machine with a 6 year warranty and was wondering if anybody could give me some direction on what machine to purchase.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-ti...dc-welder.html

R Bedell · #2 12-08-2021, 02:28 PM

IF.........you are not going to do a lot of Aluminum Welding, wouldn't paying a Professional Welding Shop ($50-$100) for this repair, cheaper than spending $850.00 ??

Oak · #3 12-08-2021, 05:41 PM

Yes, I could do that and probably should but it's something I'd like to learn how to do.

spndncash · #4 12-08-2021, 07:33 PM

have you tried to use the MIG with a spool gun and a reverse polarity setting? The thick casting will likely be easier to weld with MIG than with TIG.
And, you'll need argon or argon/helium if you dont have it. you cannot weld aluminum with co2 in the gas mixture

Oak · #5 12-08-2021, 07:49 PM

Well, that was my first thought also with the gun but when I looked up the number for my machine the gun was $700+. I didn't look to see if I could find a gun cheaper yet. I do have a tank of argon.

IIRC I was thinking that I heard people say the guns didn't work that well on aluminum. I don't know if that is true.

spndncash · #6 12-08-2021, 08:27 PM

You would have to be real good with a gun to MIG weld THIN aluminum. I would say TIG is the only way to go on thin sheet aluminum. On medium thickness say 14/16 gage its not difficult either way. Thick castings, I have not used a TIG since welding school many many years ago. I am too old to Tig anything that is not on a bench. if you want to TIG the eastwood is not bad, priced alright too. I live real close to the eastwood store in Parma. they are fun to go to and have classes regularly. I have Lincoln or Miller for mig/tig/plasma because years ago those were the only options and my forty year old equipment is still supported for consumables.
Getting it clean is most important. clean it/grind it then clean it out again! you likely should heat it up to get any oil/grease out then clean it with acetone and heat it again -get some heat into it and contaminants out. they will ruin the weld no matter what you use.

Farmall450 · #7 01-23-2022, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak

Well, that was my first thought also with the gun but when I looked up the number for my machine the gun was $700+. I didn't look to see if I could find a gun cheaper yet. I do have a tank of argon.

IIRC I was thinking that I heard people say the guns didn't work that well on aluminum. I don't know if that is true.

There are generic guns on eBay -- I got one for my Hobart Ironman but haven't actually tried it yet. They are pretty well reviewed and available for all the brand names.