Aluminum MIG DIY: Everything You Need to Know

In most recent years, one of the hottest at-home welding trends has been adding MIG aluminum capabilities to MIG welders. Here at Canaweld, we would like to talk all about MIG welding aluminum so you can do it on your own with ease. 

Which Spool Gun Should I Use?

Before determining which spool gun is best for this type of practice, you need to narrow down your options to those that work with your welder. This is because spool guns are specifically made to match the performance of certain welders. If you find that there are multiple spool guns that can work with your machine, then you can begin to look at their ratings and duty cycles and also Through this process, you can find out which one matches best to your requirements. In general, the higher the duty cycle, the more it’s designed for heavier use (and, in turn, causing an increase in price).

How Do These Aluminum Wires Need to be Stored?

Surprisingly, not many people ask this question. The majority often assume that they don’t require any special storage considerations, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In actuality, there are certain things you need to keep in mind when storing this type of wire. First and foremost, you should never open a new package of wire unless you are just about to use it then and there. This type of aluminum filler wire oxidizes, meaning you can end up with an erratic arc seeing as oxidization adds resistance. This resistance can end up affecting your wires ability to feed properly, produce unnecessary soot and so on. A lot of operators will end up wasting time on trying to check the shielding gas or changing contact tips when the real problem is the oxidized wire. If you ever notice that your wire is oxidized, open a fresh package and only use them when you are 100% ready to right away.

Let Our Team Help

For years, our team here at Canaweld has helped customers find all of the ideal equipment for their upcoming welding jobs. From start to finish, we will work hard to ensure that all of your needs are met and that you’re given the best deals possible. To learn more about our welding supply store, be sure to call us at (416) 548-5650 today!