[RAllard67]

First off.. Hello everyone and thanks for adding me!!

Im interested in learning to weld aluminum. i have some experience with wire feed and stick on
carbon steel but have never done Aluminum.
So my first question is what is a good first TIG that can do AL as well as CS?
second is... would a Plasma cutter be of any advantage with Aluminum?
Just getting started so im looking for a welder that isnt to advanced that will do from sheet material
up to 1/4 ---3/8 material.
TIA
Robert

[cj737]

To weld 1/4”-3/8” aluminum you will need a machine capable of 250 amps comfortably. That puts you in the higher end of a starter machine. If you weld those thicknesses regularly, a water cooled torch is almost a must. 1/8” aluminum you can weld easily all day long with a smaller machine, with the occasional trip up to 1/4” by preheating and using a 25% mix of helium with your Argon.

Lincoln SqaureWave 200 comes to mind as a decent, Miller Synchrowave is another. Everlast has an inexpensive 250 amp box too.

[tungstendipper]

Aluminum can be cut with plasma. Entry machines cuts are very course with a lot of slag. Newer machines can use inert air to make the cuts much smoother with less slag.

[Turbo]

I would recommend a machine with adjustable balance as a minimum. I tried to learn aluminum with a diversion and hated it.

[Bill Beauregard]

I had to experience a Miller Diversion 180: Too little duty cycle among other shortcomings.
A Dialarc 250 HF. Wonderful machine if you are content with 60 HZ, 50/50 balance, sine wave. I believe many of the factors I found limiting in this machine were not problematic in 1984 when helium shielding gas was cost effective. With argon, I longed for square wave, 60% duty cycle, balance control, frequency control, pulse.

I now have Dynasty 280DX.

It would have cost less to skip a couple upgrades.

[ProjectGoFast]

I use a bandsaw meant for wood to cut aluminum just swap out the blade and have at it, hard metals will kill the blade but the soft stuff works great.

[Bill Beauregard]

Nearly all woodworking tools cut aluminum. Cutting aluminum, the risk of kickback is greater. Butchers wax on the blades will help prevent kickback, and extend the life of blades.