Convert Your MIG Welder to Weld Aluminum - The Easy Way

Convert Your MIG Welder to Weld Aluminum - The Easy Way. Everything you need to know to convert your MIG Welder so it can mig weld aluminum. It is very easy but often unknown or misunderstood how to convert your welder to weld aluminum. In this episode I'm using a Hobart Handler 140. I show you everything you need to know to convert your mig welder easily which includes changing the liner and setting up the machine correctly. The equipment needed for this conversion cost me $24.00 You will also need .030 5356 Aluminum wire and Pure Argon Gas

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Disclaimer: These videos are intended for entertainment purposes only and as such, you should not attempt to do any of the things you see me doing. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines before handling tools. Seek professional advice and training before using any tools or equipment. Never operate any tool without wearing the proper personal protective equipment. Final warning, Do not attempt to do any of the things you see me doing!

[BrandonLund]

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[robertsanchez]

I’ve been going through alot lately, working overtime to barely stay afloat, making sure my grandparents and my mom and other family are taken care of makes it worth it but watching your videos gives me a hope that one day I’ll be able to do what I love and make sure my family is always good. From the bottom of my heart man thank you so much for being here man seriously

[mobilebob]

40 years ago this year i started my first business as a hd truck shop in sw kansas. at the time i purchased a linde 225 mig welder and used it nearly every day. i soon learned i could change the liner and feed roller and run aluminum, however i was using the 4000 series wire and with a 12ft liner it bird nested a lot. i soon got known for doing cast aluminum repairs, and would do cummins and cat oil pans for a flat fee of $175 dollars. the shop rate at the time was $25-27/hr. the key to success was preheat so i made up a bbq pit from two 55 gallon drums and used my rosebud to heat the interior and the oil pan, took maybe 15 minutes to get to 500F (used a temp stick). the first run bead i didn't care what it looked like, because cast oil pans have lots of oil in the grain and you have to burn it out. after the first run i would grind it all back out, reheat and reweld. the welds came out clean and perfect, reheat and let cool within my bbq pit...

i could usually do an oil pan in under 2 hours, start to finish, and charging $175 per pan made for a nice day! i remember only wanting to do oil pans!

the same process worked on harley primary cases, golf caddy parts, and even two hole in a fiat piston!

the key to success is "cleanliness is next to godliness" followed by "preheat is mandatory" (for cast parts).

those were good days!

[BrokenRRT]

Appreciate this video. I was about to spend $600 just to do around 15’ of weld on a boat only worth maybe 2k. Wife would have flipped out. I had no idea I could do this. Really appreciate it!

[EnGammalAmazon]

Good job, Brandon. As a former high school vocational instructor, you need to know that you are doing a fine job of getting the material across.

[anthonybelyea]

For those of us that can't afford a couple of machines really appreciate that. It's nice to know that I can weld aluminum if you need to every once in awhile. Cheers from Atlantic Canada.👍😎🇨🇦

[christianbos]

Hey Brandon, what strikes me is that you never remove the sharp edges of the wire when you switch to a Teflon/graphite liner. The sharp edge allows the wire to produce a groove/curl on the inside of the liner. This can cause the wire (especially aluminum, soft) to get stuck. I always use a sandpaper, the point is that the tip of the wire is a bit round. Just a comment and maybe also a tip, have a nice day and greetings, Christian.

[rmckayne]

Am 63 now, My first experience with mig was in 1979. By then I meet a HTP representative on a Auto Paint Supply Store. He give me an orientation on Mig because I was very Interested. By Then He Show me That Option, with The Teflon Liner Keeping The Hose straight as possible, and the sizes of tip ect. I Have to Congratulate You, Because you are the only One that Give this Explanation On Youtube. We use That Technique, For The Repairs of the Rear Ambulance Steps. Using a 120v Solar Brand Machine. But years ago I have a 140 amps HTP from the 80. And I make Magic on Body works . That was a Machine designed for sheet metal. Keep Going My Friend !

[billjacobs]

35 years ogo I bought a Daytona pocket mig (110v light duty) that had this option as a selling point. Throughout the years I've had multiple migs since I used to make a living as a fabricator. Anyway this info has served me well throughout the years. But I've never changed the liner, always ran wire lube. I blow the liner out with compressed air before running aluminum. Go one size larger on the tip, be sure polarity is right for aluminum. Use knurled rollers (for flux core wire). And use the right aluminum wire. Basically there are two types available use 5356 0.30/8mm with a 0.35 tip. You'll have to run it hot and fast! Practice practice practice and you'll amaze and astound your friends! Plus it's a great thing to have in the ole tool bag of skills
Good luck!

[duanehenicke]

Been welding for 30 yrs. Most interesting how to I've watched on welding aluminum with a mig. 👍

[joesharp]

Brandon, this video is so useful to so many, you have no idea. This was so well thought out and executed. With this tutorial, I think just about anyone could convert their gas mig welder to weld aluminum. You covered all the hard learned mig welder configuration issues I have learned over many years of welding. This is a great help to the community... Thanks for doing this... Joe

[bobc.]

Very good explanation of converting your Hobart. About 25 years ago I bought a Lincoln MP 15 (220 Volt) at a car show. They had the aluminum conversion kit, it came with a smooth feed wheel. Tried the soft wire 4043 and occasionally had feeding problems, switched to the 5356 and have never had the feeding problem again. I have completed several projects and have never had an issue. I hope others will give it i try.

[facetious_]

I did this exact same mod...i bought a new 60$ stinger from yes welder off amazon. And bought the teflon liner. Cut to fit. And reassembled. Works like a fkn dream now...i also shortened my new stinger down to 8ft

[brandonpolk]

I’ve been welding ally with my little Hobart 140 for about 4 years now repairing cast mailboxes. I got the Hobart over Lincoln because the wire feed speed maxes at about 750 ipm vs the Lincoln’s 450 ipm just throwing that in there for people who want to weld aluminum for cheap and have a little easier time

[Mavstang]

I just did this exact mod to the same welder a couple months ago. Very nice. I ended up going with bigger diameter wire. Had to turn the voltage up but I was able to back down the speed to 70 or so. Welded a bung to an aluminum oil pan.

[IBMDOCTOR]

My seven plus words to push your video up, very informative, no foul language, much appreciated, thanks, and Lord bless you

[bobengelhardt]

Excellent video!! I doubt that I will convert my 120v MIG to do aluminum, but I'm confident that I could from watching. The content is great, but the production is just as great - the camera (close up & distant), lighting, sound, & especially editing. I am VERY impressed. Thank you.

[YooToobz]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Got a few years experience welding flux core & 0 experience with aluminum. I have a Lincoln mig welder and will set it up this way and tinker around. Thank you for good instructions/tips. I subscribed.

To @Robert Sanchez, I saw your comment in the threads. Keep your head up brother and keep pushing forward. You’ll be living your dream before you know it. What you’re going through now is just part of the road to get there. I recently retired/ disabled from 22+ years in the military and I’m just now starting my dream of welding. Again, hang in there. We got this 👊🏼

[mikga]

I have welded with aceytelyn and oxygen miles and miles of copper pipe for A/C units on condos and commercial for new construction from 1/4 to 1 3/8" inside dimensions with silver sodier. Had a Lincoln stick welder I used for a lawn service on the side. Bought it out of necessity when a leaf spring broke away from an axle on an old rusted trailer. During Rainey season in Florida I'm laying in 3" of flood water arc welding the axle to new leaf springs and brackets. Read welding books and hope I could repair it and not die at the same time. The weld looked like peanut butter on both sets of leaf springs but it was a strong weld and never broke loose. Had no time for practice had to get the trailer welded and no one else wanted to do the Joe so I did it. That was 35 or 40 years ago and after all this time I'm currently living in the Philippines and have a desire to buy a welding machine to use primary for motorcycle mods and repairs. At 64 years old. Want to race motorcross again but my body saids no. Always loved being able to make things or modify them, remodeling houses, making cabinets. The welder will sit unused most of the time but it would be great to have to make mods and repairs. I can get a 200 amp arc welder for 50 us dollars here new and a 300 amp for just under 100 dollars. A flux core mig welder around 100 or a little more. Getting argon is not an option on this small island in the Philippines. And I would not use it enough to warrant it's cost. Basically I'm a new by with very little welding experience. Cannot decide on 200 amp or 300 or arc or mig flux core. Will never weld anything over 1/4" and most likely metals for brackets and stuff. Rusted out cracked motorcycle frames. A lot of cheap china motorcycles here with poor grade metals that rust out with high humidity and salt water from near the Pacific ocean. People are poor here and I don't mind helping them with simple welds. Retired have time to learn now.

[scotthoover]

When you're preheating it with your torch, that'd be the ideal time to use your wire brush on it before you weld, to break up the oxide layer, and it'll weld alot better nomatter what process you use.