MIG welding 1" Aluminum For First Time
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:32 pm
Hi Everybody,
My name is Jason , and i work for an industrial distributor in PA. We specialize in moving bulk materials (sand, stone,coal, grain, etc) . I run our service shop, where we repair tools, and do some light manufacturing. By manufacture, i mean we assemble parts purchased or fabricated for us. I have been welding for ten years. I consider my self someone who can weld, not quite a WELDER. We are not high production, my welding is more on an as needed basis. For example, we make MOUNT BEAM KIT that would be welded to the side of a hopper or bin, then an industrial electric vibrator (insert wife or girlfriend joke here) gets bolted to it. The vibrator is to help the material flow easier. The mount kit is a W beam, with the appropriate sized , pre drilled plate welded to it (by me). That is where most of my welding experience lies.
We are looking to manufacture specialty concrete screeds used in precast concrete plants. i say specialty because they can be anywhere from 8' to 24' long. These screeds will be made of 2 plates of 5" x 9"x 1" thick aluminum welded to a piece of aluminum square tube 4"x 6" x 1/2" thick. The plates will then have two vibrators bolted to them . The screed is used to finish the surface of the concrete.
I have never welded aluminum before , ever.
We have a Miller 252. I have done some research, but i feel as though i am getting farther from the answers that i need instead of closer. I realize I will need a Spool Gun and pure Argon gas.
Now to the real questions. What size wire should i be using? I am assuming preheating will be best practice, but to what temp? Is my equipment capable of performing this? Since i am directly vibrating this screed, will stitch welding be best practice? I'm sure i have left out or am missing critical info,and i know that i don't know all my questions yet, but i'm not even sure about what else i don't know...... but that is why i'm here. I am ready and willing to be edumacated! Looking forward to your input .
Thanks!
My name is Jason , and i work for an industrial distributor in PA. We specialize in moving bulk materials (sand, stone,coal, grain, etc) . I run our service shop, where we repair tools, and do some light manufacturing. By manufacture, i mean we assemble parts purchased or fabricated for us. I have been welding for ten years. I consider my self someone who can weld, not quite a WELDER. We are not high production, my welding is more on an as needed basis. For example, we make MOUNT BEAM KIT that would be welded to the side of a hopper or bin, then an industrial electric vibrator (insert wife or girlfriend joke here) gets bolted to it. The vibrator is to help the material flow easier. The mount kit is a W beam, with the appropriate sized , pre drilled plate welded to it (by me). That is where most of my welding experience lies.
We are looking to manufacture specialty concrete screeds used in precast concrete plants. i say specialty because they can be anywhere from 8' to 24' long. These screeds will be made of 2 plates of 5" x 9"x 1" thick aluminum welded to a piece of aluminum square tube 4"x 6" x 1/2" thick. The plates will then have two vibrators bolted to them . The screed is used to finish the surface of the concrete.
I have never welded aluminum before , ever.
We have a Miller 252. I have done some research, but i feel as though i am getting farther from the answers that i need instead of closer. I realize I will need a Spool Gun and pure Argon gas.
Now to the real questions. What size wire should i be using? I am assuming preheating will be best practice, but to what temp? Is my equipment capable of performing this? Since i am directly vibrating this screed, will stitch welding be best practice? I'm sure i have left out or am missing critical info,and i know that i don't know all my questions yet, but i'm not even sure about what else i don't know...... but that is why i'm here. I am ready and willing to be edumacated! Looking forward to your input .
Thanks!