Weld Aluminum with a Harbor Freight Mig

Setting up a 220v Chicago Electric Mig welder for aluminum

[josephwalker]

Great tips and explanation of an oversized tip

[oneangrycanadian]

I mig weld aluminum for a living. I’m a fitter welder and build all kinds of things. Anybody who is gonna weld aluminum the best this is to take the clear coat off the material. Believe it or not it takes more heat to burn that off than it does to melt the aluminum. The next thing when prepping your material is to bevel all the welding surfaces. Then when welding you will have better penitration and a way stronger weld. Just trying to give some helpful information. Great job on your video my friend!!!

[christianeriksson]

Thank you so much for this video man. It´s informative and practical as well as it is explaining some of the theory. You´re humble as well which presents a great character. Now I feel more comfortable taking the step towards MIG and aluminum. Greetings from Sweden.

[shortattentionspangarage]

Who cares how beautiful the weld is, you saved me hundreds of dollars I didn't have making this hack work on my HF 170 MIG. Thanks much!

[crankygrandpatech]

DUDE! thanks, well done, this is exactly what I need. JUST TO STICK TWO PIECES of aluminum together! I have watched so many videos on how to weld aluminum and yours is the ticket!! I have the HF welder and 100% argon (wanted to practice tig) but a DC welder. Fun for the weekend now!!

[juanarreola]

Very cool. Thanks for putting this video together. Very helpful.

[renestolp]

Thank you, very, very much!!
I almost bought another saved me a bunch of money because I already have the harbor freight welder which I like very much.
Rene, happy ( ier)new year to all!

[trekp]

Thanks man. Picked up a few tips. Literally I went and got some oversized tips. Also I never leave the gun wire tangled but i never have it perfectly straight. I tried that, I think it might have been just a tab bit smoother maybe. Thanks man.

[thepragmatic]

Thank you very much for this information, it allowed me to make a wise choice. I have a heat pump bracket to weld on, but I only have a 120v mig welder.
This welder looks a lot like the one in your video and comes from Canadian Tire, which is the Canadian equivalent of Harbor Freight.
I never use argon, since I use flux cored wire, so instead of spending money on outfitting my welder for this one job, I think I'll bring the support to a specialist shop this time. .

[jobbernog]

Perfect video! Informative and straight to the point.

[billarroo]

I got the same welder, I will try your idea, THANKS

[Bats.]

You saved me lots of money! Thank you!

[HotRodHudson]

Mike, great video, lots of practical knowledge provided & right to the point. Certainly appreciate it!

[bahbah_mahmoud]

thanks, but you are really a good teacher, thanks again.

[makayamarides]

One of the best meaningful video thank you so much

[markhubanks]

Thank You for the video and information, answered alot of my questions, Nice Job!

[hopinmytimemachine]

Great video because I was struggling a bit then realized I forgot to switch my polarity 😅

[loganwork]

This was exactly what I was wanting to know. Thanks

[frankmmiii]

Thank You for the video. Not that I need to weld any aluminum right now but it is good to know and it makes the Chicago Electric MIG 170 240v welder I am about to walk out the door and pick up, more versatile. I am just a DIYer and enjoy doing things myself but not enough to go out and buy an expensive Miller or Hobart welder. My Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 90 amp welder has sat about a year since I last used it but it still works great. I'm really buying the MIG 170 for the shielding gas and DC negative option(less splatter hopefully).

[frankiodeelux]

some good pointers here - just got this unit and was curious about aluminum capabilities