Mig Welding Aluminum with a Spool Gun

[@ricardomontes373]

I come from the auto repair environment and troubleshooting is perhaps the most important thing that a mechanic must know how to do. Looking at the way you found the problem on the Hobart spool runner proves that you are the best! Thank you for sharing.

[@joeltrimbach]

I just want to thank you for your videos. I haven’t taken any courses for welding but have a lot of applications for the skill. Just watching your videos has helped me learn how to weld and saved me so much money. You are great at what you do and the way you have your videos set up is so informational. Keep it up!!

[@jwdickinson643]

mad respect for a guy who takes time out of his vacation to put together a video for his channel, when he could have just waited until he came back! Nice to see you relaxed and relaxing, Sir! Hope you have an amazing vacation! Now go PLAY!!!!!

[@Doc02864]

There are many videos on welding but this is the best I have seen. You answer why to push- advancing the argon gas..... two thumbs up!

[@brokenhands512]

Thank you for this straight forward informative video! Spent a year at welding school and we did not cover mig aluminum. I bought my own spool and used the teachers personal to get a handle on it, he got me in the right direction but this really cleared up any confusion I had. Thanks again!

[@alexvedrover3603]

Great video. Straight to the point and shows everything I came here to see. Been struggling with my Lincoln spool gun (exactly same setup as yours - 210MP and same spool gun), with sooting and really having a hard time keeping the bead without melting the aluminum away. This video helps immensely.

[@Ricardofromage]

Thank you so much for this video, I only started mig welding mild steel about 3 months ago, and not very often, I've a project that needed ally welding and no one wanted to take it on. So in 2 hours this afternoon I went from soldering the wire to the electrode, to bird turd, to stacking dimes in about 2 hours. 4mm plate aluminium, your advice was just brilliant, literally, a thousand thank you's my man 🙏😎

[@loganrash6764]

This video right here got me my first aluminum job, and is keeping me employed by being able to do it. Incredible knowledge

[@jamesharlan3202]

By far the best MIG welding aluminum video I've seen. Thanks for putting it together!

[@LuisGonzalez-qh3tm]

very grateful for these videos Jody, I've gone from knowing nothing to doing mig and stick welding repairs for my job. Very grateful, I thank God for this awesome fun skill and instructor like you!

[@petesnell5116]

Hey Jody! Had to use the spoolgun here at work for the first time. Watching your video was really helpful, I got to the 'ballpark settings right away, and tweaked them using your examples. You probably cut the time I would have spent on that job in half. Thanks a bunch for your videos.

[@garyw6234]

Thank you, I've been a different tradie all my life, Bricklayer then licenced Builder here in Australia. A little late in life I spose for me to be learning, but through the years have taught myself a few tricks of the trade :)...Your video I have found is one of the most informative and understandable with regard to Aluminium. You have a good nouse to be able to solve problems with a bit of McGyverism thrown in, good quality work to boot.. I'll never get the years of experience behind me to become a good welder, just enough to be half reasonable is what I'm hoping for. I don't know if you have any on grinding and finishing welds but I'll look. Thanks again.

[@dieselrotor]

I have a Lincoln power mig 216 machine and got this M100 with it "free". And I love it !!!! I built an aluminum flat bed tow truck bed with it running .035 wire using an .040 tip. The .035 kept fouling up. Once I switched tips, it was flawless !

[@dieseltheDane]

I've been welding for years with the Lincoln spool gun I find a huge difference in wire I'd love to see you make a video using the Lincoln spool gun and the different manufacturers of wires and your recommendation be great videos as always thank you

[@charlesdjones1]

Welding Tips and No Fluff, always great content that's straight to the point.

[@PandaXpress17]

I bought the tig finger years ago because of you! Use it all the time! Love your videos, very informative and to the point. Thanks for your hard work!

[@Stillsz75]

thanks for this video...it helped... I've been doing Collision for 26 yrs. I've had this aluminum spool gun from snap-on for the last year or so. I have the snap on mm250sl. I've had this for over 20yrs... finally got a argon bottle last week. I have the tig set up for it too. I will be trying it today on a home repair that is aluminum... again thanks for the insight on the trouble shooting....

[@richardsmart2255]

Got myself a spoolgun for my everlast welder. Let the fun begin! I can't wait to start tackling aluminum.

[@om617yota8]

Exactly why I'm here!

[@theflagman666]

I wish that everyone that was going to try to weld aluminum would watch this you are spot on nice job Sir

[@rileygoodenough5000]

I use a Lincoln 350mp at work all day everyday. Great machine. Super reliable and a whole wack of settings to make things go smoother

[@FiberLaserSales]

great pointer w the teflon and scotch brite. i have the hobart 190 handler and this just fixed my headache w the uickness. thnx Jody.

[@octane9092]

When I start my classes Jody I'm going to try these techniques and see about progressing more I can't wait til I start school again. For this.

[@travlr1956]

Great video... It was direct and to the point,, Just purchased a new 210 and gun,,, can't wait to start playing with it..

[@TheGasTap]

Thanks for the video. I have recently purchased the Lincoln Power Mig 210MP and its a great machine.

[@julianbrody6392]

Your dedication to your channel is fantastic. I really want to get a spool gun for my everlast welder. You have some great tips.

[@gateway8833]

Jody, I have learned alot from watching, my wife actually watched this one with me and she was like OMG look at those eyes, so I think you have gained another utuber.

[@minskmade]

love your channel. just ordered a lincoln 210 mvp...am a rookie..you make it look so simple

[@bensonmuguuru4294]

from kenya here. i must say that i like your job.

[@pieterbezuidenhout2741]

Watched so many spoolgun videos but finally got the right answers here. Appreciate a lot , thank you very much.

[@Countryboy2206]

I just did a weld test for a job. Not sure what the settings were but dang I had to weld fast. Guy said the welder was maxed out and I had to run a 2f and 3f on I think it was 7 gauge. I've never welded so fast in my life. I tried to do some manipulation like on steel for the 2f but it kept burning through so I stopped and did an extreme whip motion and it came out looking decent, the downhill 3f looked good though(never migged aluminum before, it was weird). Still got the job cause my 2f/3f mild steel weld was "really nice".

[@celairgilfaenmirion]

Just starting to learn how to mig weld aluminium (new to welding in general), this video was a huge help!

[@ripjack13]

Ok , So I know this is old, but it's new to me. I'm starting to use the miller spoolmatic at work and I'm looking for all the info I can get on using it. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Thank you very much for these tips! I've always wondered what causes the sooting when welding Aluminium with my MIG!

[@SupaNautica]

Love all this Aluminium and Spool Gun info, thanks. Put a deposit on my first welder today, new machine from Boosweld here in Australia. No info out on it yet, I'm actually the first person to get one, so excited. I got the Spool Gun and a couple of helmets included, can't wait to start playing with it

[@lesliesterer8273]

You sound like me when I put in my order for my first everlast welder. It's been a few years now and I still love putting on my helmet and making sparks.

[@roncook8566]

SupaNautica to

[@laurijorgenson6683]

I’m new to your work and channel. Great teaching. Thanks for sharing your craft and knowledge with us.

[@WarpedPerception]

Wow.. what an awesome channel, great pro tips!. I don't know why the Hobart gas pattern made me laugh so hard !.

[@yewwtooob]

Good video, subscribed. So I have welded aluminum with 4043 an NEVER had soot issues. With 5356 I always do. Set up was the same: SS liner, tips, pure argon, and "blob-ball" welding ( where I turn down the wire feed while welding until wire forms a pea sized ball on the end, then dip it into place. All I can deduce from this is that 5356 is just dirtier. Correct me if you know differently.

[@Rico702Vegas]

I've never welded.. Was looking for suggestions on which model to buy and what type of welder (mig, tig, stick, combinations).. My lingo is incorrect I'm sure but man did I learn a lot watching this video and amazingly I understood everything. What a great video! Kudos to you working on vacation sir. Definitely subscribing.. Any suggestions for a beginner who picks up extremely fast and has a 220v ready to go? Wanted a stick/tig lift start initially (everlast) but am looking at the lincoln electric 180amp because of efficiency and the type of welds I will be engaging in. Around the house and innovation ideas, basically. Thanks! Again great video.

[@MikeandjulieScanlon]

hey dude, you make some great videos. i really appreciate the way you explain everything and the side tops. keep up the awesome videos, whenever i need to figure out anything for welding i know you got a video up there.

[@boostnhoe]

Vacation starts and the glasses come off. Another informative video, thank you Jody.

[@user-ty7iw1vf4y]

Я не понимаю английский, но мне очень понравилось.Очень наглядно определение недостатков газовой защиты горелки.Толково.Спасибо!

[@michaelamy7149]

Thank you for doing an outstanding job on this channel. It must be exhausting to maintain. Thank you

[@markpatterson7070]

The best welding videos on You Tube !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@iancraig1951]

Good stuff mate --clear concise information,I reckon you have helped me.Thanks

[@MrMcscrufflesIV]

Literally just got done mig welding aluminum today in school.... Haha that shit timing. Had to figure this all out the hard way. Keep the videos coming, you're putting me through school!

[@gerboblevin7709]

You're a good teacher. Thanks for your posts.

[@bowens101]

A great welder I loved when I was doing aluminum mig was the fronius welder, we had power mig lincolns also but I perfered the double pulse weld of the fronius, so I would love to see a review on that welder if you ever got a chance

[@redDmax04]

Hi Jody can you do a video on vertical uphill aluminum mig? I've learned a lot from you with aluminum mig I'm fine going flat but uphill not so great running miller trailblazer 302g and 30a spool gun 95%of my work is in the field I have a aluminum tandem dump body I have to fix cab shield got wrecked it's 3/16" thanks keep the videos coming 👍

[@rkstew]

I've been following your videos for a couple of years. Thanks for the great info.

[@SagaSeaCraft]

At 8:12, Jody uses an IR thermometer to measure the temperature of his base. The instrument he's using appears to be an inexpensive big-box example, not adjustable for varying surface emissivity. Using an IR thermometer on aluminum, unless the instrument can be adjusted for surface emissivity (those instruments > $400), you will NOT get the true temperature of the surface. Far from it, the indicated temps will be FAR lower than actual. Be careful!

[@davesstuff1599]

I hope you checked out the lighthouse there, very cool.

[@idriwzrd]

Burn-back can be very frustrating while using a spool gun. Very scientific approach to making the spool gun work as it should. One suggestion, though; make one change at a time and observe any results. That way, it easier to know what works. A question about stickout: does more stickout need more shielding gas flow? i.e. spray-arc vs. short circuit?

[@chrisjones6165]

aluminum should have more of a stick out. use argon for shielding gas. check my videos have a few aluminum mig welds on there

[@jdmpurest]

Amazing video! Absolutely spot on with every aspect of mig aluminum with a spool gun.

[@fm3arthur]

Jody Good to see the 350 push pull - just love mine - I use 3/64 wire and its a miller - would be nice for more people to use one although a bit expensive for the average home user.

[@pierresgarage2687]

Art Humphrey I've got the Lincoln 350MP with the push pull system, it's a great setup, a couple of years ago I had the chance of comparing the Miller and the Lincoln, to my appreciation the Lincoln has a slight advantage. Not welding as much now, about 98% of my work is machining... ;-)

[@user-hd1qx2bd1r]

Great Video's Jody, tons of info., great in close camera work, crisp pace, and you're a seriously good welder!

[@nelsonsantos770]

Always love watching your videos, always a refreshing course!

[@jimheflin1446]

this is why i love miller welders and will buy nothing but

[@jasvan4359]

Enjoy your Videos your opinions are not Biased and you say what's needed to be said good or bad , with that said have you ever used a Miller Syncrowave 210 and if so what's your pros and Cons on it

[@ippielb]

I have that Hobart welder and the spool gun. I could not figure out why my welds were always so dirty. Maybe I should try your tricks next time I weld aluminum.

[@garymathews9534]

thank you ! so much for all the great knowledge ,you share with us .you are the greatest teacher I ever had !

[@walterfletcher6897]

Thanks for great videos as always! I have a Miller 252 and trying to decide if I want a spool gun or a Miller push/pull gun.

[@Mrjoelaguirre]

Hello Sir!.. great video and welding techniques

[@rickyharvey9876]

Hey Jody is there anyway you can make a video on Aluminum Mig vertical? Heat ,wire feed, and cfh gas and machine settings? Your videos are awesome and very educational! Keep up the awesome work!!!

[@panther105]

That's kind of unbelievable that a spool gun directly from the manufacturer would have such a major defect. You are such a great detective though, and always find a solution. Might not have been obvious to a beginning welder who may think it's something he or she is doing wrong.

[@nickkaplan6585]

That's exactly what I thought. I almost bought one of those guns and I would never have thought to troubleshoot it like that! We're learning from a master here boys

[@musicpar]

Hey Jody, love your videos on welding, very clear and straight to the point, im from Perth w.a, and our power is 240v, my welding unit is a UNI-MIG 190 Multifunction Inverter mig tig mma i have a SPG200II - Spool Gun - Heavy Duty, i put 0.8mm MIG Welding Wire in it, not Aluminium, for welding 2mm Square Tube, i put my voltage to 17v and my Wire speed to 5, anyway it welded good, but i got a white powder after my weld, can you please tell me what i did wrong,

[@pontiacmaniac2]

We had a big aluminum job come through the shop, we hardly ever get to play with aluminum and I had a pretty hard time getting the push/pull gun running good, I think it turned out pretty decent, but all I could say to my self while I was mig welding it was "I wish they would just let us tig this". Ha. Good tips.

[@jamesharrell4360]

Nobody has liked this comment on 4years? I am ashamed of my generation.

[@bkreadr2147]

I ran out to the garage after this vid and did the same modification to my miller spoolmate 100 it helps thank u sir for the vid

[@InkSlinger1337]

Awesome video as always. I was wondering if you planned on doing any future videos about stick welding with a bad fit up.

[@lunatikexperience]

Love the videos.....did manage to make one of your tig fingers at my training course

[@flyingfisherman100]

thank you thank you I own a commerical fishing boat in Alaska and fabrication work is expensive and unless you have endlsee money there is always something that you would have done a little different after you get out fishing with what ever it is you have built I just got done building a cover for the back deck the quote was for 9,000$ I was all in at 2,500 the savings are huge when i do the work my self thank you again F/V Vida Petersburg Alaska

[@jimc1652]

Dedicated man, editing videos on Vacation! Thanks Jody!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Hi Jody, could this setup be used to weld tubing, more specifically I want to build my own T-Top for my boat. Most folks have told me to TIG weld that, but I am not sure if I could pick that up as quickly. Any input on the subject would be great. Thanks so much for making these videos. Super helpful.

[@josecanedo007]

Make sense!! Have similar issue but with TIG!!!, Big thanks

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thx Jodie . In the first 2 welds it sounds like short circuit or was it spray transfer? Also preheat is 250F or 250C? Learn a great deal,from your instructional videos. Thx again

[@tanako98]

Some serious welds from a spool gun. Your a monster!

[@rycb77]

Excellent. Perfect timing... waiting for my new spool gun to get here.

[@MichaelDavis-zu2ko]

I’m doing a project with 1/4” aluminum. It’s a big project with a lot of mass and I’ve been trying to TIG weld it with my 210A Miller machine, but it’s barely enough and it overheats constantly. I want to switch to a spool gun but I’m having trouble figuring out what type of spool gun I need for it. I’ve seen 135A, 150A, 200A, 250A options, etc but what do I actually need? I don’t want to spend too much but it needs to be enough for the job.

[@randycastro7641]

Can a larger welding equipment weld a aluminum 7075?

[@AJC-jo3ds]

When you use that temp gun to check the aluminum after preheat, are you adjusting the emissivity to account for the shiny surface? Otherwise the aluminum will actually be hotter than the temp gun reads due to reflectivity..the reason I mention this is because you say if it's too hot the aluminum can loose its structural value....

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

Thanks for the nuggets. First time I hear of checking for leaks on the spool gun. I'll try Teflon and scotch pad Tomorrow. Going to see if I can join 22 gauge diamond plate with spool gun🤔

[@dougyoung596]

I am Just starting out. I had to weld a part on my trailer axel and the price I got to do it was almost as much as a welder. it was something I always wanted to try. I am a contractor and I come across things that I have paid someone to weld a few times. Thought I would try on my own. All the training I have is from watching Jody at weldingtipsandtricks.com. He is a great teacher. Not only is it a useful skill I am having a blast welding. I have welded everything from a cloths rack to some cable box shelves all the way to my trailer axel and a plow frame that didn't quite fit. Thanks again for all your knowledge and very helpful tips and trick ...Doug

[@villaltam23]

Excellent video, I always see your videos although I do not speak English very well but siemrpe are very helpful. I am soldering with spoolmatic but it splashes me in excess, what to do to solve it? Sorry but I wrote it with the google translate

[@passionbytom]

Thanks for all the info and the quality pictures

[@Springfield1225]

I enjoy your videos. They are very helpful. Thanks.

[@chriscadman5715]

Thanks for the excellent instructions!

[@BCole-bj4lv]

I just bought my first spool gun. What is the "go to" wire size and type, to buy for most aluminum jobs?

[@This1LifeWeLive]

well, 'm glad I watched this one before going on to do more welding! That's some THICK aluminum you have there!

[@joepritchett7229]

Jody can u do a video on pulse mig on aluminum thanks

[@phattcat69]

Jody. im using a spool gun at work. getting alot of soot. im going to try the scotch brite fix. however what should the CFH flow be on a spool gun setup? On my tig im around 12 to 15... Thanks for your time brother.

[@aNuthaRedneck]

We do a lot of repair on docks that float on a lake. This means all the work is outside and the air is almost always moving. we are lucky any day there is less than a 4 mph breeze. The high end boat docks are aluminum. What kind if set up ir recommendations do you have for this kind if welding? these docks are almost completely extruded aluminum and some are anodized or powder coated.

[@ChrisLawley43]

thanks for the video i just bought a 30a two weeks ago and it ran pretty good but i got soot but i may give this trick a try and see how god of gas shield i'm getting

[@pierresgarage2687]

Hi Jody, Great tips about the black soot.... Taking a vacation from the beach.....??? Cheers, Pierre

[@powerstroke0459]

Jody, 5086 marine grade aluminum gets soot almost all the time using 5356 filler with 100% argon

[@chfar072281]

You my friend know what you are doing!

[@astraightupfenceco]

Awesome video! Just what I needed. What's the difference between 5365 and 4043?

[@Newfive]

I do quit a bit of aluminum mig with Lincoln Mag spool gun.... this gun is cheap... I have burnt one up already.. they are not repairable... besides that it works great. I found that regular tips do not work well... any tip that is tapered or has notch for tightening work best. I do go through lots of tips.. I can use tip cleaner and file to get tips back in shape if they just arch off on surface of tip... be sure to clean and blow out the gun often.

[@bigsterms]

Looks like fun. I need a bigger garage for this stuff

[@imsowhiteandnerdy25]

Very helpful video. Thanks for posting this.

[@shoes121255]

Jody, could you do a video on different types of aluminum filler, with pros and cons to each, and how they work welding both regular aluminum and cast aluminum? I bought some 4047 for castings and it seemed to work fairly well, but I'm particularly interested in Hobarts Maxal 4943. Thanks!

[@musicman243]

I've used those Cobra guns. I'd prefer the trigger in the normal spot. all the one's I've used had the trigger at the base of the gun, and it made it really uncomfortable for me to weld; I felt like i had no balance.