[tweake]

i'm looking at trying some aluminum mig welding on a project.
my mig has a pulse aluminum mode. its takes 1mm/0.040 wire but the recommended settings only go up to 2mm/0.080 thick work.
trouble is the work i have is 1/8 thick. 5356 aluminum.

can 0.040 wire be used for thicker work?
or do i need to go up to 0.045 ?
mig is 180 amp.
would helium mix help?

[cj737]

0.040 wire is perfectly fine for 3.2mm material. Heck even 0.035 works well. I think 180 amps in on the limit for 3.2mm material in MIG. It would be close. Yes, Helium mixture will help. That, and a preheat if practical.