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Pulsed Aluminum Welding Recommendations

Posted on 8/7/20 at 10:38 am
Posted by Booskee
Assumption Parish
Member since Aug 2020
71 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 10:38 am

First post here, but looooong time lurker. I’ve decided to participate, especially in the Outdoor Board because there seems to be some knowledge to be gained here.

So to the point: I am looking very hard into investing in an aluminum welding setup so that I could build/repair boats, trailers, etc. I want to get a top of the line pulse-mig welding machine right off the bat, so that there will be no upgrades later. Any of you have experience welding aluminum with a pulse-mig? If you were to go into production, which setup would you buy?

—Booskee

Posted by TheDrunkenTigah
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
17335 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 11:12 am to
There’s a guy here that’s building a boat and is self taught with great results, believe he said he was running MIG and TIG.

In case he doesn’t happen along here’s a link to one of his threads, he describes his setup somewhere in there.

LINK
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 11:37 am to
I have not welded with a pulsed mig setup personally but I do spend a lot of time around aluminum boat builders. They almost universally run the big Miller machine with a 30A spoolgun. It is definitely the tits for welding aluminum
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
66474 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 12:21 pm to
Esab Rebel 235ci
Posted by angus1838
Southeast Alabama
Member since Jan 2012
923 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 4:23 pm to
I like the Pulsed MIG on 1/8 inch and up but I hate being married to one process. For thinner stuff it's tig all day for me. Not to mention if I want to weld some carbon together I just swap leads and tungsten and get to welding. Lincoln has come up with a multi process machine that is pulse mig compatible but i haven't welded with one yet. I have been a Lincoln fan for years. Lincoln Flextec 500X Pulsed MIG Multi Process
Posted by Sparetime
Lookin down at La
Member since Sep 2014
908 posts
Posted on 8/7/20 at 11:31 pm to
I've always thought ESAB machines are better for finesse and easy set up on complicated stuff. Many welding shops I've been around have ESABs set in the corners for aluminum, carbon, light stainless, cast, etc.

Now the Millers are sitting out in the floor doing the heavy work on steel which is 98% of their work.

Posted by Barneyrb
NELA
Member since May 2016
5144 posts
Posted on 8/8/20 at 6:44 am to
In no particular order the machine's I'd look at would be ESAB, Everlast, Lincoln, and Miller. I've got a Miller mig and am looking at upgrading and the Everlast MTS275 is what I'm considering. It has a 60% duty cycle running WFO and that is good for what I do with one.

Posted by WHATDOINO
Member since Dec 2008
6511 posts
Posted on 8/8/20 at 3:42 pm to
Esab 260 multi master is what i have and it's best all around. I have all the millermatics also and they are great too.

You need to decide what you are doing, time frames each job will take you (duty cycle) and power source and do your homework.

If I were you, look at used sites and find one from someone that had the same wild idea you did, and realized it cost much more money to get set up correctly then most are willing to spend

Good luck
Posted by mohalk
Member since Feb 2009
371 posts
Posted on 10/23/20 at 8:53 am to
I have a Lincoln Powermig 350 and a Millermatic 350P, both with push pull guns. My shop is in Covington at 17351 Hard Hat Drive if you want to check them out and lay a few beads.

Spoolguns suck.

Halk Marine Fabrication & Design
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