Beginner’s Guide to Welding Aluminum with a Spool Gun on a MIG Welder - Eastwood

Weld aluminum with a spool gun with your MIG welder!
Get a Spool Gun: www.eastwood.co...
Get a MIG 175: www.eastwood.co...
This Eastwood Spool gun fits the Eastwood MIG135, MIG175 and MIG250 Welders. It comes complete with a 2 LB Spool of .030 inch aluminum wire. For use on machines with a metal plug on the machine and torch lead.
The new mig 135 models can run the same spool gun as the MIg 175 and 250. If you already own a MIG 135 just look for a white switch inside the unit above the drive motor. If your machine has this switch you are good to use the spool gun.
Eastwood's MIG 175 Welder: "high-end" features at a DIY price!
Welds mild and stainless steel, 24-ga. to 5/16"
Welds aluminum, 14-ga. to 1/4" with included FREE spool gun ($199.99 value!)
30-175-amp welding range
Ships with regulator and hose for optimum MIG welding. Can also be used for Flux-Core welding.
Powered by 220v current
Compare to similar welders that sell for over $700
ETL Approved
As a professional or weekend enthusiast, you can now get industrial-quality features in a hard-workin', affordable, MIG welder! Our R&D guys designed the Eastwood MIG 175 Welder (12012) for steel and aluminum to produce excellent bead quality and capabilities that match-and even exceed-the more expensive other MIG welders for sale!
This Eastwood Spool gun fits the Eastwood MIG135, MIG175 and the MIG250 Welders. It comes complete with a 2 LB Spool of .030 inch aluminum wire. For use on machines with a metal Plug on the machine and torch lead.
For more information on Eastwood products visit www.eastwood.com or stay connected with the team via:
Facebook - / eastwoodcompany
Instagram - / eastwoodco
Blog - www.eastwood.co...
Eastwood has everything you need to do the job right when you're restoring a car, truck or motorcycle - from welders to paint and everything in between.

[@coryzickefoose1780]

Holy shit that’s horrible! Take your time and stay in the puddle. Toooo much popping!

[@jdcustomz]

Correct. Just seen hobbiest put up much cleaner spool gun aluminum welds using cheap ebay setups

[@scottywoods8651]

Holler at me and I'll teach you how to weld aluminum my man!

[@WildebeestLabs]

I was thinking the same thing 😂

[@RobinRK1962]

Some thoughts... Clean well with stainless brush, flow rate 20 - 30, use minimal preheat, Stick out - 3/4", looking for a spray transfer, reverse polarity, 100% argon for thinner plate, 50/50 argon helium for thicker plate, push not pull... doing a forward pattern but with a long pull back as you go with increase soot, (a straight forward travel works just fine) use a 15 deg push angle, if a joint requires stress relieving 625 - 650 deg will do.

[@danbarosh2942]

Sounds like great info THX one thing I seldom see mentioned is( No wind even a breeze can screw up your Gas shield)

[@RobinRK1962]

@@danbarosh2942 Very true. In doing an in the field build/repair of a outside hospital aluminum railing, I had a full tarp setup over me blocking all wind. It was a 20x40' tarp that gave me plenty to weigh down... it was a long day under a blue tarp in the sun

[@mikewarner2742]

I am new to welding aluminum but I can tell you already that my failures in doing so were not the problem with my spool gun. As we say at the rifle range, "The problem is with the loose nut behind the trigger!" Thanks very much for an informative video!!!

[@northerniltree]

A newbie teaching newbies...perfect.

[@robertblackshear8963]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@fleejerry4134]

holy cow that is bad. my man shorten your stickout and dont whip forward as much. keep it tight.

[@Grognarthebarb]

welds litterally look like stacked cow patties lmao

[@iamstuffy909]

Im glad someone spoke up about it

[@christopherjames5192]

I’m no welding expert but I know my dope.. this guy is ripped!!

[@gary-powdercoatingspeciali3093]

I didn't hear him say anything about Amperage? What I understand is Speed and High settings. What if you're welding something or repairing something that's impossible to get 100 % clean. Is it possible to penetrate that without cutting it out

[@pangolinamplifier422]

Eastwood: When welding aluminum you use a push technique almost 100% of the time. Pushing allows the argon to stay in front and around the weldment. Pulling defeats this, you are blowing the gas in back of the weld, which as you have stated does not give good results. Also as you stated, the sound of the weld should be like spray transfer, you don't want as much crackling and spattering as you had. Get closer and reduce your angle. You talk about these things, but you don't use them when you weld. Like Shawn Crocker said, you should really practice more and increase your knowledge of aluminum welding in general. Your machine settings are not correct either.

[@nickriggs23]

Dude, perfect. Thus guy should not be teaching anybody how to weld!!

[@dalepres1]

In other videos, they bring in pros to demo their tools; far better idea.

[@stovie291]

you want your gas to help cool the weld so with a pull motion your have a much better weld then what is shown in this video. If you push your gas is flowing away from your weld.

[@ericgonzalez2713]

@@stovie291 this is to have a clean welding surface ahead of the weld

[@ShinkuGouki]

Too much talking and not enough showing

[@itsnotlevel2]

Aluminum mig = 25 - 30 cfh min (aluminum is spray arc transfer), pre-heat and clean are imperative (aluminum melting point is 1220 degrees Fahrenheit.... Aluminum oxide melting point is 3700 degrees Fahrenheit), NO manipulation of the puddle... None! And finally, don't go too fast, slow down... There are always extenuating circumstances... But don't go too fast. You guys were getting tons of spatter which equals...too much heat. A good sound on mig aluminum is fairly quiet... Very little crackle. Video is great guys but a little misleading.

[@brettmansfield3136]

I'm glad I read your comment. I'm curious why you say to not manipulate the puddle. Personally, I've been moving forward and pausing to help fill the area (creating a stack of quarters look) unlike how in steel I stay at the leading edge of the puddle, no manipulation (creating a smooth, robotic weld). I'd like to hear your feedback, it might improve my welds

[@MrRealdoc]

I thought, a lot of spatters equal not enough heat and too much wire speed, if we talk about aluminum. You also can see that the bead looks too cold.

[@erikb8877]

I like a gun that allows me to start the gas flow before striking the arc. Also, I have found that pushing at sharper angle almost completely eliminates sooting.

[@shawncrocker7037]

ouch! I don't mean to be an ass but that was horrific! people selling welders should really get there practice in and facts straight before attempting to teach potential customers about aluminum welding. if this guy set his machine properly those welds should look very close to Tig. the weld bead should have absolutely no soot on it only around the outer edges of the bead. if this welding machine is unable to be set to parameters that will produce the weld as I have described, buy a different machine

[@GoldenSim27]

nah , its mind control , that way newbie's don't feel that bad on their fist try :)

[@dougankrum3328]

Yeah....I welded aluminum with spoolgun all day for 4 years...no soot....aluminum was clean and I ran the correct flow of Argon....like 25-30 for this.....bead looked much better...proper parameters always helps.....

[@Dishtech48]

Sorry but not impressed at all. And I own several of your tools..

[@This1LifeWeLive]

So you guys are saying my welds will look great compared to this, lol?

[@bud7707]

Shawn Crocker thank you I was so confused, it didn’t look right to me.

[@djpaco951]

Don,t forget using the brush cleaning one way not back and forth 😂

[@eastwoodco]

That's always good advice!

[@biblethumpr2161]

At any point does he mention amperage/ volts how hi a setting to start with and how do we know to raise or lower setting based on characteristics of the weld?

[@patrickseals5746]

Great videos, thanks for doing this for those who can't afford classes. As with everything practice makes perfect.

[@j.m.6401]

I waited 15 minutes for that weld! smh!

[@matmail2340]

Just a big ad for Eastwood, pro welder channels give much better information with better demo’s

[@DustinApple]

READ THE COMMENTS GUYS. . . . . . In the initial machine set-up he forgot to reverse the polarity of the machine. You must change from DC- to DC+ to weld with a spoolgun. during his welds the gas is set low, angled gun to much, feed was to high for the speed he was moving (or not enough heat), and you should never,never,never make circles like that. the flying splatter, the black soot, and the choppy bead are all from operator error. if a bead looks like blobs of bubble gum laid on 2 pieces of metal, it probably is.

[@alarenzo420]

Dustin Apple this is why no one buys an Eastwood welder. 😂

[@motecalevol]

"feed was to high for the speed he was moving (or not enough heat)" That's what I thought too. And i was wondering about the polarity when he was setting it up!!

[@LawF250]

People watch too many other 'welders' on KZbin make circles and other crap and think that it's good for everything. I was never taught to do circles or any other fancy crap with the gun or torch. Welds are perfectly fine without all the extra crap.

[@dalepres1]

@@alarenzo420 Why is that? Would his welding have been better with a $4000 Miller? Does paying more money for a tool and accessories and consumables make you a better welder?

[@ivirflawless9829]

Those welds are ass. I need to make a channel . I am so much better

[@eastwoodco]

Lets see those welds, chief. 😎

[@fuckfuckmcgee69fuckfuckmcg63]

Dear lord don’t let this man weld anything critical

[@tandemwings4733]

I am confused. Why all the "circling" while welding? When working with my spool-gun, I just weld straight, no mucking around, and it turns out really strong, clean and tidy. That looks awful..!!!

[@6776L]

I run the cycles BUT I use far less stick out and I dont run huge cyrcles like he did.. I run much smaller it generally looks pretty good..

[@liamgill4085]

That's why there's so much spatter on the work piece after!

[@boatbuilding4412]

You guys should not be doing this video

[@brandonnichols1978]

Great video! I always like to remember wether I need to push or pull by saying “if it has slag, you drag” 😅

[@dougmclaughlin8614]

I do love watching your videos but this is not how to use the spool gun. You need to use small angle push the puddle and move watching the flow of the puddle. It will be quite fast and you should have no circle motion and no black in your weld. Start at 25 on your gas. Great video you can tell this is just not your forte.

[@irarager2390]

What is the voltage setting for aluminum?

[@ASvanRandwijck]

I am curious as well!

[@dalepres1]

I've rethought my take on this video. As I worked in my welding class this evening, it hit me that this video was probably part of the guy's own development as a welder as well. He had the chance to make a video for his company and his developing skills were highlighted and he shared what he knew and the lessons were very helpful. In my IT job life, we have people all the time do training for us who are not absolute experts. They train us to what their experience allows but we still learn - and preparing for and presenting the training helps them get better. So, to the presenter in this video: Great job! Hopefully Eastwood allowed you to make a lot more welding videos and we'll see your own skill development as you help us with our skills development! I'm looking forward to discovering more of your videos.

[@Chuxgold]

Pushing into already vented gas is got to be better than running away from it in a dragging action.

[@MuntyScruntFundle]

Well, if the picture and sound matched up this might have been really helpful.

[@bsarro1]

Great video, very helpful for beginners. Matt likes to say “So” a lot! Lol

[@weldinggirl]

Great video, learned some things, thank you....

[@AngusBeef0]

17:58 nice lol

[@inlasttonowhere4459]

😂 😆 😂

[@4u2242]

great video thanks for helping new welders. Ay least you have the balls to post and help others! You are appreciated

[@chet3louisiana558]

Good video. I have a 135 and recently bought a spool gun. Do you or anyone know if I have to flip the wires to reverse the polarity, or just flip the white switch to "Spool Gun" ?

[@This1LifeWeLive]

Now I'mm a bit curious. . . as a newbie to welding, and doing aluminum on a 110v mig machine with spool gun and 100% argon gas, I actually have found that the length of wire stick out you suggest pops right back at me and welds like crap. I think 1/2 inch stick out seems to do best (for me). And on a curious note, I have "burned back" LOTS of times in learning how to weld and none of them ever have gotten stuck inside the gun. 🙄

[@This1LifeWeLive]

I'm also going to add and say you might get better results preheating . . . this is exactly how MY first welds looked (first welding ANYTHING). But we found our machine couldn't put out enough heat to penetrate thicker aluminum, so preheating to 220 worked best for us. But maybe on your machine you have settigns you can adjust? (ours is maxed out)

[@brucefitzgerald9789]

9 minutes into this video and he has not given us a gas flow setting, a current setting or a wire speed setting. This video is worthless.

[@adamwarrick2970]

Wire speed seems too fast...lot's of splatter. Good video, though!

[@oldsam56]

Narration does not match the video. What has changed? Was not like this last week.

[@Bay_jonfishin]

Let see a break test

[@juvillace22]

I have a Titanium 170 MiG/ flux core machine . Do I still need to buy a CO2 gas tank to weld aluminum with the spool gun?

[@eastwoodco]

You're going to need a tank of 100% Argon.

[@juvillace22]

@@eastwoodco thank you so much, for reply,

[@brianmurphy5318]

what about stick welding alum too alum

[@danbarosh2942]

Theres a 135 a 175 and 180 spoolgun sets whats the diff whats best whats newest model...

[@eastwoodco]

The 135 was replaced by the 140. The 175 was replaced by the 180. 140 and 180 will be the newer models. Check out these videos for full explanation of differences. 175 vs. 180: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWa1eH5va8SjrJY 135 vs. 140: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJaXnoqoqrCaeKM -JD

[@danbarosh2942]

@@eastwoodco Great that was my guess..and I ordered the 180 yesterday can't wait

[@megadeth1763]

I HOPE it gets BETTER !?!

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

not enough amp gave you that spatter. Turn up the amps to reduce spatter.

[@kennethlitten2251]

To much gun angle, excessive splatter

[@KevinS3928]

So where do I get one of those "spool guns" and how many of my children will I have to sell in order to afford it?

[@eastwoodco]

Here's the link to the spool gun: www.eastwood.com/mig-spool-gun-metal-connector.html If you're purchasing a whole new welder the MIG 180 has an option to have it included: www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-welder-180-amp-with-spool-gun.html

[@mds6387]

I will never buy another product from Eastwood again. The MIG machine I got has been nothing but problems since day one. Had to install a radial bearing on the spool holder to keep the wing nut from tightening itself to the point of binding. Not to mention, all the plastic that is used on the wire feed mechanism. The machine can barely handle a 10lb spool to boot. Machine is only good for tack welding at best.

[@rosslicitra203]

Cutting aluminum with a carbide tipped blade

[@ted6090]

There's some weird dude dynamics afoot

[@MotoKingWOT]

That's really funny, the camera guy has no idea that his camera and lense now has molten metal burned into the glass of the lense. He must be new at this..

[@robertblackshear8963]

Just one tip, when using spoolguns it's best to push and slightly move back and forth and that will give you the perfect bead,welder with 29 years experience navy vessels with spoolguns included but we used helium. Good video man.

[@rodscott1998]

what if my miller hobby mig dont have gages on the gas so i dont know the presure?

[@eastwoodco]

You can change regulators regardless of machine. www.eastwood.com/gas-regulator.html

[@johnmary1852]

Ok Ive had this welder for, Over three years. Mat you should tell what is the cause of soot? Well for all the ones that say it looks bad? Well what is bad is you voice no cure. To much Wire speed is the main cause of soot. Gas shielding is a must but wire speed is the mist important with the right push angle. Im welding 1/8 in. plate and my settings are as follows. B on the heat and 5 on the wire... Note this is a far cry from what Mat says you need on 3/16.. His settings are way to hot and fast for 1\4 in. Ive tried them good luck.

[@jerrydemas2020]

Can you please explain to me why , I can’t TIG Al with my DC machine E+ 100% argon. But can weld Al E+ 100% argon with a spool gun with the same machine? What is different with the two processes that make it possible ?

[@rorynurnberg7216]

Bud I hate to be a downer but i just finished my welding foundation course and if i had turned in THAT weld ever to my instructor he would have whooped my ass stick out is way too long your whipping motion is crazy long and you went way to fast. Quicker and shorter little whips is better or alternatively just a steady no whip push works it creates a smooth no ripple weld but its still sound. Also a tip on your start a lot of people will just bend the wire over the cup a little it creates a smoother start without any hard bumping and with spray transfer the extra wire is melted through anyways. I also believe your push angle was a little too much 5-10 degree's is about what you want so your still focusing heat down into the metal where as that looked closer to 30+ degree's. And a comment to those out there if i could afford a spool gun i would demonstrate no problem but I don't own one so i'm unable to. and a final comment you don't need a spool gun to aluminum mig if you have a push/pull wire feeder it works fine with aluminum but you can't use a traditional mig setup for the reasons that were stated here. Anyways just wanted to make a statement I hope everyone doesn't take the comments wrong welding isn't easy but keep burning those rods or wire practice is the best thing.

[@jimanderson4444]

Too much , not the 1st day of school here !

[@moeduval1364]

Thanks guys, i’m just learning to hobby weld, great video, i’ll try again today with the new info i just learned.

[@gavinholley9039]

Can you weld with flex score through the spool for Steele?

[@eastwoodco]

You don't need a spool to weld with flux core wire, it swaps with the standard MIG wire in your machine. Then reverse the polarity.

[@megadeth1763]

rookie season

[@blakekenley1000]

uhm. that was terrible.

[@UniversalGamer647]

why do they always have issues with their mics popping on and off or popping every few minutes? they need to fix that.

[@heresteven]

I learned that the black soot is from the magnesium burning off. Good video. I wish this was around when I started welding.

[@itsnotlevel2]

Nope

[@bobd.fletcherjr4912]

When should you pre-heat your aluminum

[@douglee8007]

Way to much splatter

[@wozthescott2804]

Elon Musk

[@tobeybydabay]

It would be nice to see all these critics welding videos. Cmon FleeJerry and isaac Fulton, post a link of your video so we can all learn!

[@camerontrent1564]

Lol I'm no spool gun expert because I've never done it but.....I did go to welding school (tulsa welding school to be exact and I'm pretty sure his gas flow should be alot higher like 30 cfh).... it would probably be a hell of a lot cleaner

[@pangolinamplifier422]

You first

[@dalepres1]

It doesn't matter whether they can weld better. I watched this to learn how to weld using the new Eastwood welder arriving later today. Even I knew these were crappy welds. If I had only seen this video to start with, I wouldn't have ordered the Eastwood MP200i. Luckily, I've seen better welds with it in other videos.

[@domingosalinas3383]

What are your settings I have a miller 140

[@eastwoodco]

We have a chart on the inside of every welder we sell that includes settings for aluminum/spool gun. You can also see the chart here: www.eastwood.com/eastwood-140-amp-mig-welder-welding.html

[@rwzwiefka]

is there a rule of thumb for pre-heating aluminum? like is there a #of degrees that you should pre-heat the aluminum say if your welder was rated to 3/16" and you were welding 1/4". so number of degrees per 1/16" thicker than the welding machine is rated for?

[@danbarosh2942]

Wire size choice .030 or .035...for thin alum .100 to .125...to avoid burn through???

[@DustinCressy]

Can you do 1/16” on a corner

[@kennethcox9272]

I just started using the spoolgun on my 175 eastwood mig welder. I had to reverse the polarity on it. I didn't see that mentioned on your vidio. Great learning vidio though. Thx

[@eastwoodco]

Sorry about that! We'l make sure to make that note in future videos.

[@domingosilvestre9520]

Can have clean weid at 90degree angle and not too far on your nozzle for better cleaning action(got it right with push technique though)

[@cornrpost9088]

Can your tip be too large like an .0.47 I think it is running. 035 wire

[@Dixler683]

The man welding….are you sure you know what you are doing?

[@billymoore8731]

that man cannot weld aluminum I can weld better than that with my eyes closed

[@3eerickson]

Ahhh...... Ahhhh.... Ahhhh..... I don't know what I'm doinggg.

[@cuerenegeland5947]

Terrible 🤣

[@jgarcia9527]

Is your welder hook to 110 or 220V??

[@eastwoodco]

It will depend on the unit but our larger units will come with a 120 adapter cord.

[@lestergillis8171]

That "little ball" that forms on the tip of the wire is called a "dingle berry".

[@booger37391]

speed of wire/ and type wire ? 4043? amps ?

[@davidkris]

Would love to know the answer to this!

[@djsuretay1]

Can I weld aluminum with out gas I now have the Eastwood 135 if so where are the videos

[@barryspeirs2670]

How much heat will you have welding 3/16th

[@ellahlibaychannel]

Very nice thank u m9re video from Philippines

[@eastwoodco]

Our pleasure!

[@martystaceewhitaker7930]

Yikes!

[@danlisle9381]

What is the amperage set at for 3/16

[@eastwoodco]

24.5 amp and 510 inches/minute. You can find this info on the chart on the inside of every Eastwood MIG welder. www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-welder-180-amp-with-spool-gun.html

[@jeffmoore2649]

Audio is completely out of sync as of now...

[@snowbum007]

Thank you very much . The advice about the angle of the spool gun real helped .

[@vw_beachbuggybrookster]

great video

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks!

[@bobd.fletcherjr4912]

🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍🙋‍♂️

[@scottywoods8651]

Always push aluminum

[@pangolinamplifier422]

You should make a video; your comments indicate you know what you are doing and others could benefit from your knowledge. There is nothing like experience in the field as I believe you have.

[@soldier2763]

No offense but it looks pathetic. Ameatur at best.

[@rogerdale1883]

this is the worst demo for this gun. period

[@philiposborn9141]

Looks simple

[@eastwoodco]

It really is. 🤷‍♂️ -JD

[@jerryhyland1554]

3/16" Looks a little thicker to me???

[@stevek.1979]

Painful

[@kylesmall8283]

can i use a anti splatter spray on my aluminum welding

[@justinalexander6517]

Thanks for posting. Lots of trolls on this reply. Appreciate your efforts.

[@jamescrud]

What trolls? We're looking at the same thing you are. That weld looks like shit and he's supposed to be a pro. It's unacceptable.

[@eriklarson9137]

Trolls and haters are what people call everyone who disagrees with them. It means, they don't know enough to argue, but are to willingly ignorant to admit that.

[@dieseldaddy4205]

what heat setting are you using,,,,,,,,low,medium,high?

[@scottywoods8651]

High!

[@kirboogden7695]

Bruh, what the old heads would say at work tho 🤦

[@mesothelioma5024]

Can you weld it like spray?