aluminum welding

Does anyone have any useful info in welding aluminum with a gas-less wire feed mig welder? I have a small 120v mig, added the aluminum welding kit, reversed polarity on the wire and preheated the aluminum. Nothing seems to be working very well. Any suggestions would be helpful!!!!!!!!!!!

What seems to be happening Winchworm

Never tried it with a gas less .

with a gas welder , it works pretty good.....

With a pre-heated, cleaned butt joint, the aluminum wire tends to just ball up with little or no penetration. I'm holding roughly perpindicular to the seam and using a gun push method. wire speed seems to be fast enough and movement as well. Any help?

Winch, 120v just aint enough for good penetration. Maybe for some thin .020 or less sheet, but thats about it.

That's what I was afraid of. I taught myself to weld mild steel and thought I would give this a try. I always enjoy playing with new concepts. Will have to get a 220v set-up and try again. Thanks for the info and if anymore ideas come your way, I would appreciate if you would pass them my way.

Winch, here is a short video from Miller that may help. Set the argon to about 20cfh. Watch how fast the guy moves the torch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_MiGrL9350

I have one of those welders. I am ready to throw it in the trash. It is not good for anything but small stuff. I broke the rear diff. support on my rhino. I replaced it with a peice of 1" solid stock and I couldn't get the 120v mig to penetrate at all. I could lay a bead down and turn right around and knock it off right after I get done. I woulod not try to do the aluminum with that type welder. Just my 2 cents worth.

Winch, I don't know what happened to one of my threads it disappeared. However it was basically what the video above says. Remember clean, clean, clean is your friend.

i have a linchon mig 140 with the spool mate 100 gun set up with aluminum welding and it does pretty good on 5/16 on down thickness.and i use my mig 100 for my metal jobs like bumpers and stuff.