$300 in 1 hour Welding Aluminum in the Field

#entrepreneur #welding #fieldwelder
The Customer needed it NOW! So I happily obliged. As a mobile welder I have to have a minimum to cover my truck moving. So like most of the guys in my area I charge $300 to show up. That will buy you 3hours of my time. Fortunately this job was 5 minutes away and with set up and break down only took me about a hour! The customer was happy to have such quick service and I rolled on to the next job. The Wc 24 controller I use to hook my spool gun to my trailblazer has paid for itself 100 times over. It really made welding aluminum on the fly easy.
Here’s the link to how you can hook your Trailblazer to your Spoolmatic.
• How to hook up Spoolma...
Here’s some of the gear I used.
Hobart Welding Helmet- amzn.to/3F7cq1B
Spool Matic- amzn.to/30FzuFE
WC 24 control box- amzn.to/3yEtLws
Welding cap- amzn.to/32bG5Iq
Gloves- amzn.to/3e0tI4v
welding respirator- amzn.to/3e4eXxC

[@quickshot4050]

Hey man, ik you’re not gonna read this but watching your channel made me realize that I didn’t want to be shop welding for someone else my entire life because of the shitty wages/expectations of these companies and so I bought my own equipment overtime, and started working with my father who is a construction guy and we landed our first “big” job making a frame and doing some field support brackets should take only a few days but we’re charging $5k which is more then me being 19 I’ve made in a whole month working at fab shops, I appreciate what you do and showing us how you think/do stuff and look forward to the next video as always.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

this is why I make these videos! Im glad someone of your age opened there eyes. good luck in your business. watch tomorrows video. I drop some real knowledge in it.

[@DieselRamcharger]

As my father always told me. "No one will take care of you like you will." Shops are their to make money, not to pay their people. You are only gonna get paid a fraction of what you will working for yourself. You can charge less. Do better work. Make more money. Work less hours. Why the fuck not?

[@Iknowvfx]

A welder actually wearing a respirator and face shield when grinding, stunning!

[@Tdunksmane]

I do mostly aluminum tig and I always wear a respirator when I grind. Usually I leave my hood on over it too because it’s got a grind mode on it. But it’s definitely good practice, inhaling aluminum is bad news.

[@Iknowvfx]

@@Tdunksmane I've seen guys grind galvanized without protection, absolutely insane

[@Tdunksmane]

@@Iknowvfx that’s a good way to get zinc poisoning lol

[@brandonmasser5248]

Grinding and welding galvanized steel sucks.

[@BuckingHorse-Bull]

every one knows to smoke a cigarette before you weld to give your lungs a temporary protective coating then one after to wash & disinfect any remain foreign matter. Its standard OSHA regulation and approved by the surgeon general of the United States

[@tomt9543]

There’s a really good lesson in this for young people looking to get into the general welding and repair business! I started working in a local welding repair and fab shop in 1978. EVERYTHING that came in for repair was steel. In 2020, I retired after a 41 year career as a certified welder for a major railroad company, and started back doing repair work out of my own shop. It became quickly apparent that aluminum accounts for a large percentage of the repair jobs that I’m getting in 2021! The hidden lesson is to be sure you can handle aluminum if you’re considering starting a welding business! If you can’t handle aluminum jobs, both fab and repair, you are going to be turning away a sizable amount of business! When you tell a potential customer that you aren’t able to repair his aluminum part and he has to go elsewhere to get it fixed, he’ll most likely return to whoever actually repaired its shop when he has a steel job! They’ll write you off from the “git go”! My last five jobs have been aluminum, and two of those, ironically, were aluminum equipment trailers with torn off taillight brackets and rips in the aluminum floors!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

100%

[@gasclutch6280]

Yo Tom. Just turned 20 and I’m in welding school. I’m taking SMAW TIG MIG Flux core and pipe. I graduate next semester and the hard part is where to start. I obviously need the experience but I’m a bit lost on what route I should jump into first. There’s a local pipe fitter union near me(located in Bay Area) and that’s the main thing I can think of to get paid good and get lots of real life experience. My overall goal is to have my own rig / shop and be my own boss, And maybe even a welding school later on! I don’t want to be the average welder with average pay. Any real life advice? Union or shop job?

[@tomt9543]

@@gasclutch6280 There’s no doubt that the union pipefitter apprentice job is a great place to start and earn dang good money! Even if you didn’t intend to stay with them for your entire career, it’s a great way to get real world experience while knocking down serious money that you can use to outfit your own shop, rig, whatever! I know you’re young, and young people don’t think about this kind of stuff (or at least I didn’t!), but union jobs typically have very good pension (retirement) plans. When you get some experience, start doing sideline jobs in your spare time, and if you like working for yourself, roll with it! That way you will have started to build a customer base, and that’s crucial if you’re going to make a living off of it! I would not recommend jumping straight from welding school into opening our own shop! You’ll come out knowing how to run a good bead in multiple processes, but that’s only part of the puzzle! The other part is knowing what TO do, or even more importantly, what NOT to do when repairing or fabricating things, and that’s where working for someone who’s done this work for years can pay big dividends!

[@DieselRamcharger]

if you cant weld aluminum you arent a welder.

[@gasclutch6280]

@@tomt9543 yooo thank you Tom! I take your advice truly! You’re right I can’t have an idea of how to weld but what’s the point if I can’t fabricate right? And I have little experience in fab. I definitely don’t want to work for someone my whole life, so as you said, I’d get a bunch of real life experience joining the union. The only negative thing I hear about unions, is that it takes your life away and one has no time for anything besides work. I’m full time work and full time student so Ik that it sucks to not have time to do things such as going to the gym, family time etc. Do you have insight on this saying, is it exaggerated? But yeah man being a field / in shop specialty welder sounds sick! Maybe failing is my biggest fear and I need to just jump into union and take it from there. Thank you for your time I appreciate your knowledge. Happy new year !

[@CAB75]

Gotta love a customer that pays up front. I have a regular that always insists on paying before I ever get started and has no problem giving a little extra when you finish ahead of schedule. Great video 👍

[@backwardsyoga]

really nice that the customer complimented your welds like that, makes all the difference

[@Mr.Phoreskin]

Adding a control box, a spool gun and a couple rental bottles of shield gas was the best investment ever. I can roll up to most shopless terminals or truckstops and spend the hole day repairing small holes in aluminum flatbeds, mudflap brackets, lamp brackets etc. Hustle muscle on swoll. Big ups to you for being a guiding voice for younger dudes like us. It’s hard to get a good start in the mobile industry and you make it feel possible to those with a dream. Thanks brother.

[@nickdifilippo4055]

That seems like a nice job to take. Straightforward and quick. Also an appreciative customer

[@gasclutch6280]

I’m in welding school and your videos are A1. Keep it up! You teach me a lot and motivate me aswell. Thanks for you time and knowledge💪

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@MasterSamus]

"I trust you to finish" There is nothing better than having a good reputation in your craft.

[@ColossalCrib]

Acetone doesn't remove the oxide layer. It just removes the oil and dirt. The stainless steel wire wheel removes the oxide layer.

[@sethwatson8952]

Agreed

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

I would use a stainless steel wire brush myself.

[@dustinguajardo3122]

As a fab shop pipe welder myself, I enjoy your videos bro. I’ve been welding for 7yrs and your vids are educational and informative. Thanks for that

[@dannynewman8715]

I am starting an aluminum fence repair apprentice welding job tomorrow. So happy. This video makes me want a customer to compliment my welds like that

[@billystevens6683]

Great job....was a Welding inspector for 28 years...I'm retired now but still do some Welding myself

[@hitthabutton4868]

I'm taking a aluminum test rn and your video helps big time. Really appreciate the video

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Glad I could help

[@austinmckenzie3688]

Nothing better than having a customer saying your welds look great

[@armorfabricator2557]

Hey, great to see a local getting it done. If I may toss in 2 cents to be helpful not a critical dick, I do alot of alum in addition to testing employees on all thickness from .125-1" and from my experience whipping typically leaves lack of penetration in a saw tooth pattern. Not a huge deal on thin stuff but again am stepping out of my comfort zone to be helpful for the next one or when it is critical. Hot in the leading edge of puddle will give you the best results! Keep it up

[@justinfreeman3908]

ive been welding for 650 years and this is the best weld ive ever laid 2 eyes on

[@mikemeyers4016]

😂

[@ryanbarton9370]

Looks sweet. Little tip for cutting ally with a grinder. Buy a block of bee’s wax and put that on cutting disk. Will make a world of difference.

[@jerms6642]

i use edge lube

[@mikemeyers4016]

Thanks for the tip been doing this A long time never herd of that, cool!

[@DieselRamcharger]

Id be glad to have a nosy neighbor with a construction site. Shit is forever coming up missing.

[@bizboomer]

Beautiful work and great video! It may have been worthwhile to offer to put a gusset on the other tail light. Thanks!

[@justintasht1067]

Fantastic work love how you turn your hand to everything full respect to you 👍👍👍

[@shotit-df7id]

I like the customers reaction that was cool

[@leifnilsen6107]

I work in a fabrication shop. We clean all parts before welding. Makes a big difference in the quality of the weld on Aluminum and Stainless steel.

[@EonOne867]

Cool tip I just learned. When grinding aluminum with a flap disc, first put some bees wax on to the disc which will stop it from getting clogged up right away.

[@scottcarr3264]

Also try using Zirconium wheels 40 to 60 grit, they cut well.

[@flatwater5]

Really nice work, man! Well done. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@ypaulbrown]

I love those Trailblazers and spool guns.......outstanding.....

[@outofcontrol9886]

Holy shit Rockstar!! I'm back in the archives on my work youtube name and subscribed with this one! I am doing an aluminum trailer repair with Rockmount welding Neptune .035 aluminum mig wire! What better channel then Meltin Metal Anthony's to brush up on the do's and don'ts! I'll make sure and tag ya when I finally get the trailer repaired! now I'm heading over to the $17000 emergency aluminum railing install! Hammer down Rockstar!

[@kevin1gasman]

I am service tech on unit . In Texas. I show few guys what they need to get started in the Business . I’ve sold a lot used unit about half the price then a new unit . I help one guy get started just with a Miller bluestar. And as he move up in better Machines . Now his running Miller diesel 300 pro and built his own welding shop . From old work trunk and a Miller bluestar. The guy is doing well now . I’ve sold few unit to guys getting Started . Happy welding guys and lady’s.

[@thebeardedstork432]

Nice work! That spoolgun worked amazing......in YOUR hands!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

thank you sir!

[@ChasingTheDream87]

You're right about the acetone, I weld thin wall tubing that passes x-ray and I prep the tubes and wipe the filler with acetone, Haven had a failure yet. Cheers

[@richardfuerst5286]

Great job. 👍 I do pontoons and boat lifts in Michigan. Tig the pontoons & mig the docks and lifts.

[@craigwilhelm7335]

Love working with aluminum

[@buddylouis8348]

Me too, I'd do alum all day, Easy money.

[@kodiham7532]

Excellent repair, Thank you for sharing!

[@chukchee]

That is brutal! Free Navalny! Free Navalny! Free Navalny!

[@notanymore9471]

Aluminum MIG works better with spray arc , you are short circuiting or short arc welding hence the sound and smoke. Turn the voltage up until the until the smoke and spatter go away and the sound of eggs frying turns into a hissing sound and you have now entered spray transfer territory.

[@travispoulin252]

I am a very novice self taught welder and everyone I work with makes the same spattered and black soot covered welds. I had never mig welded or worked with aluminum before this job. They gave me a crash course and sent me on my way in about 15 minutes welding half inch nuts to .060 aluminum sheet metal. I started out doing the same thing they were but after playing with the power setting, feed speed and travel speed I can now lay a bead around the nut with no soot and in either a smooth or stacked pattern. It also makes the hissing sound and not the cracking and popping. I have tried to get others to do the same but they just can't for some reason. In my experience they all run at a higher power and move quickly to avoid burning through the sheet and just make a lumpy worm like surface bead. Maybe it was my stick welding experience focusing on puddle control and constantly adjusting the power and speed until it was just right? I don't think any one I work with even knows what a puddle looks like because they move so fast. I should also mention that these sheets come straight off a CNC router and are covered in cutting oil and have been sitting out in Florida humidity and the only prep I do is wipe them off with a cloth. 🤷

[@MichaelNemec-s7q]

He probably doesnt have the right gas mixture At least 86 percent argon to spray

[@notanymore9471]

@@MichaelNemec-s7q on steel maybe. On aluminum you use 100% argon. But that said you can spray with 80/20 in most cases. C25 actually will spray but it’s unstable and will short circuit occasionally. But 85/15 works better and 90/10, 95/5 or Tri mixes work best.

[@joshuahale8621]

I just got a job coming up doing this exact task Thanks

[@simoneedwards1728]

I love your weld u are very skill. The same welder from Jamaica.

[@DonnyBwelding1]

Great stuff brotha .deliver every time !

[@disturbed19th]

Love these style of videos! Very encouraging to see the types of jobs and also the money aspect of mobile welding $$$$$$$$$$

[@mikemeyers4016]

I loved welding with a spool gun , wow I had forgotten all about it , seemed like I used a high frequency box , I think it was made by miller. Back in the day. Oh just remember ( beware of oxidized wire on your spool gun gave me hell one time!!!!)

[@Dogpool]

That dude was ripped who this job was for. Also, I know it’s cool for a click bait title to say this only took an hour for $300, it’s just not true. The actual time to take the calls and set up the truck for the job, and drive there and back and clean up and all of that is much more. If your thinking about starting the clock on a job just before you pull the weld trigger , your undercutting yourself. Then at the end of the day you will be wondering why your working more hours then your billing for. For me it took a long time to get good at thinking about the whole job, from talking on the phone to the finished cleaning up and all the necessary paperwork junk, to driving around getting parts and things.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

All of this is so true.

[@welderdude1]

Nice rig. I run a 95 F350 7.3 Powerstroke 5spd. Clean welds as well.

[@Troutelectric4492]

That's awsome. That gun welds great. I have a Hobart Champion 16. I need a spool gun but haven't found one yet.

[@BRENT3143945]

I use one off my miller211

[@billarroo1]

Mobile ALUMINUM is great to do as most mobile welders don't do it. Nice Welding 😃😃 Thanks

[@chelseadiaz8160]

Nice work ! I’m currently looking to get into welding school and starting asap, love to watch ur videos keep it up👍🏼

[@Osubuckeyes2024]

A little advice just look for a job that you need no experience, many jobs train on sight anyway it could save you thousands. Coming from a welding school graduate that now is in the field.

[@avsthetixc7949]

I swear every badass I’ve ever heard of is an Anthony

[@84hemiboi]

Wish I had a trailblazer for that reason alone. Bobcat 250 . Great job family 💪🏾

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks 👍

[@charliehuntsman9827]

love the videos bro welded for the Marine Corp now for the one of the biggest RR in America . Want to start my own side hustle welding on the side weekends and time away from the day job. Your very inspiring thanks man !!! 🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥

[@robroy5729]

One thing you mentioned stood out in this video that a lot of other field repair welders should consider and that is being able to weld aluminum in the field like this!! I'd bet that 75% of the repair welders out there dont have the means to weld aluminum in the field. Aluminum can be a pain in the butt to work with and getting the proper setup can be expensive although it can make you $300 or more and hour if you're properly set up! Very nice video, great repair and above all it's pretty clear you know what youre doing when the customer pays before youre even done.

[@billarroo1]

Nice job, mobile ALUMINUM repair with Spoolgun, can keep you going on slow days,

[@thebluecollarwelder]

I love my 30a also have a push pull wire feeder and gun that I use on bigger jobs. Nice video 👍

[@bovissanchez6793]

5:05 story of my fucking life that and the ground clamp. Once i walked across a plant to grab rods and walked all the way back forgetting i left the rods behind.😂😂

[@dontcomply5008]

Sweet channel dude! Very informative and put together.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

thank you sir

[@Peter-V_00]

Really well done Anthony!

[@danielrondeau4452]

Quick tip, hit your flap wheel on a bar of soap, any soap, it will keep the wheel from clogging. Soap stone will work in a pinch

[@djcrecelius]

Beeswax

[@whatsnextgarage]

I'm in!! great real world stuff, delivered in a real world way! great job! checking out the 14 pin connections next!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@wrenchesandcars5161]

Hey Anthony, I work with aluminum for a living I do aluminum boat repair work, that’s some nice work with the spool gun. I primarily tig weld, I like using rubbing alcohol as my prep. Acetone will work also. I do the same. I grind the work than use a chemical cleaner. In that environment your better off cleaning as good as possible. Once that aluminum is out in the elements it gets a lot of dirt trapped in the material. But beautiful work

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks man!

[@wrenchesandcars5161]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony keep it up, I love your channel and your honesty when it comes to welding every day repairs

[@chrisrudy1969]

Hey Anthony. Just found your channel. Nice to see your thought process as well as your work. Congrats.

[@RBFR01]

The gusset welds are nice but those other welds are poor

[@captaindiabetes]

Awesome Job! Can't get enough of your videos, keep them coming.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Glad you like them!

[@jerseycowboy1]

Beautiful weld.

[@joshualbarham]

I use those same gloves and when I first switched to them I felt invincible. The amount of heat they can handle is nuts.

[@compilecodebug6430]

You had that dialed in nice, good job

[@gcwelds3481]

Me and my pops do trailer repairs of all kind plus im also welding instructor but in weld repairs it averages around $30-$200hr and we are in the low side that is what most of or customers say its still good 🤑💨

[@danielrondeau4452]

Soap trick works on the cut off wheels also, allows you to cut right through

[@dougsweldingfabrication953]

Nice job Ant !

[@youcanthandlethetruth6976]

A guy gave me a spool gun on a mig machine, and I dont even think he had the right gas mixture, told me to weld some aluminum fence. Bro I was blowing through some shit. I had to tack weld the beads together just to get the job done, I'm glad it wasn't anything load bearing and it was all just cosmetic, otherwise I wouldn't have welded it at all lol.

[@lipt4040]

Beautiful welding!!!

[@johnspringer9451]

Thanks for sharing bro, your videos are great and very helpful. Keep at it 👊🏼🇺🇸

[@Road-LessTraveled]

@7:29 “Do you got enough on there?” No, no sir I dont-Im not a pro or anything and definitely dont this for a living-lol

[@michaellavalle-sv7tp]

😂 I trust you to finish got me also

[@hubertrobinson8825]

That's some great looking welds

[@DustinApple]

few bad practices here bud. ill try to help: #1 the acetone should be done last. it will remove dust particles left from the flap disk. wipe in 1 direction. #2 you're cold & ran down hill- downhill requires more heat; settings should have been for the thickest material. #3 gas coverage sucked- even though it wasnt windy the large nozzle on the 30a requires a lot of cfh turn it up to 40+. never hurt to grab things laying around to make a wind dam #4 cutting - to prevent introducing contaminates use a carbide cutter instead of a skinny wheel. .... when you see black soot running 4043 its because of gas coverage most of the time. 4943 is my go2 it solidifies a little quicker than 4043 but still runs clean unlike 5356. watch the entire puddle, the front should never exceed the etching line & the rear of it shouldnt begin to taper. basically what im saying is short steps and lil' higher wire speed will clean up & strengthen what ive seen here. most extrusions are either 5 or 6000 series, the wire choice really doesnt matter unless its structural or in a corrosive environment. but im sure some "dissimilar metal scientist" will disagree with me.

[@matthewkubik3874]

Damn dude! You nailed everything! I do this shit all day every day. I work in an Aluminum Extrusion plant and Fabricate custom Fixtures all day for Anodizing, CNC, and Fab. I see all sides of the Aluminum process and can tell from your comment you know your stuff.

[@DustinApple]

@@matthewkubik3874 whiteriverrambo Customs... I build bowfishing boats for a living. I appreciate the flowers bud.

[@mikemeyers4016]

Damn I’m a moron, I’ve been working on the pipe mostly carbon steel , stick rod , downhill , 20 years !!! Sh-t I need to go get some new experiences!!!!

[@mikemeyers4016]

Thanks for the education!

[@mikemeyers4016]

And I bet you don’t have to lay in the damn mud ( I got to make a change)😂

[@ravagekyle7368]

LMFAO dude i started dying when the taillight first fell off and you saw all those booger welds 'ewwwwwww'!

[@2hotscottpro]

I have a 30A but didn’t know it worked on TrailBlazer.I use it on my matic 212.

[@BrentCameron]

I just bought a used Spoolmatic 30A with the 50 foot extension and WC-24 control box and I'm on the lookout for a leather or other protective cover that I can wrap around all the cords for protection. What brand / vendor did you get yours from? Thanks!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Mine came with it but you can get them on Amazon

[@DIRTDUMMY1]

I've watched this specific episode a few times... did you throw in a gusset on the driver's side too?

[@gordjohnson70]

Nice welding. Did you reinstall the wiring and the light or was that left for the customer to put back together ? That part wasn't shown or mentioned in the video.

[@jbird3214]

Its amazing how many people great and small struggle to get duct tape off ahahahahahahaha It is a bastard and a god send of an invention ahahahaha

[@davecaresforyou7606]

Super fire my friend

[@rivernet62]

Damnit. I saw that thing sticking out and thought “job security.” But then you added support. What were you thinking?

[@leonardwalker8700]

Awesome Video

[@125sm3]

Great job dude.

[@irelandssons]

Brother MMA keeping it real out here “pretty fuckin bad” lol

[@therookiefisherman5234]

I have to say great weld thank you for the vid.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thank you!

[@stlchevy95]

like your style man. subbed

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Ant4291]

Why cant most do mobile aluminum? Is it because of the additional spool gun needed, or certifications?

[@sandan9530]

I followed once I herd they didn't know wtf they were doing and nosy neighbors LMFAO real talk

[@matthiasonphillips6323]

Trailer repair jobs are the easiest and they're fun to do. Easy money also. Sub'd!!

[@joefergerson5243]

Great work!🤟

[@michaelehrlickman5272]

Ahh all american trailer. Didn't know youre a florida guy

[@RedDirtWrenching]

Nice video and nice job👍

[@7-BitesPatrick]

Probably took longer to get the F-in tape off than to wield it.😂😂👍

[@WillyPete_]

oh yeah... wait till ya get into beekeeping and get a good days pay...... yup. Bee removal jobs can be like... HEY!!! Come drink all my beer.,.. I will pay you !! I'm there man..... Bees, honey, money, and a happy customer.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

ive always been interested in bee keeping. maybe one day

[@WillyPete_]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony it changed my life.....

[@closm7159]

First use wax to grind the old welds second the wire aluminum you need weld uphill

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

wrong and wrong

[@nwontario828]

Any idea on where I can buy a trailblazer like this one, I’m looking at becoming a mobile welder one day and really appreciate the content!!!

[@luciusirving5926]

I don't mean to brag, but my AC stick machine could make a charge big enough to overload any electrode and aluminum. AC is also known for ripping through any kind of contamination.

[@brandoncoston7489]

Hey goodmorning Anthony, I rented a spoolmatic 30a spool gun to use on my Miller multimatic 255 it’s the first time I ever used a spool gun, I was adding some aluminum thread bungs to a fuel tank, and my bead an everything would go great, look excellent wetted in real nice, but every fucking time I terminate my weld, it would make a freaking crater and suck back a little pin hole, and I’d have a leak, I hydrotested that bung and repaired that one spot like FOUR times because I didn’t know how to stop the crater from forming lol. I got a new ac/dc tig machine 2 weeks ago too, a watercooled everlast 250ex, thing seems like a beast so far! But I want to master the spool gun too, I’ll probably buy my own spool gun in the next 2-3 months. How the hell do u prevent the pin hole crater at the end?

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

turn your wire up one and do the same thing you do when running 7018 to keep a crater from forming. push till the end of your weld then hold and go back into your bead slightly

[@MrRNTV]

Hey Anthony is it safe to say you always wanna do down hill vertical welds on aluminum?

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

In non structural applications like this light it’s fine

[@ecr125x]

get some sait A45N wheels, those flaps get expensive also a nice lenco CT40FA connector like you have on the ground but for every power stud on welder. I also use quick connects (western enterprises) for my argon hose, another LC40 connection for power at the gun and all that's left is the 14 pin (keep that dry and clean) I got everything on spools but it still takes a good 10-15mins to set up spool gun. that trailer is probably prob 5454 or some 5XXX series alum, possible 2024 or 7075 but Ive only seen that a few times. larger trailers (9000 gals) will sometime have a tag calling out the specified filler material. the rule of thumb is if you don't know the grade to use 5356...but that runs terrible out of a spool gun and I would also use 4043. I just crawled out of a large alum trailer a a few hours ago. 5 broken baffles and numerous cracks...ill be back tomm, ohh its a septic trailer btw..$125/hr all day long KEEP IT UP !! Ohh don’t forget you can cut alum with a standard 24 tooth 7-1/4” circular saw. No special blade needed. Much faster/nice than cutoff wheels

[@thomasmcdonald6526]

Awesome job what are you running the spool gun at for wire speed