Hobart Handler 140 MIG- "Push" .030 AL wire ?

[Rudy]

I have the above unit and am fairly "new" to welding. I have run a 2# spool
of
flux core reg wire thru the unit and am not doing too bad with what I need
to
get done (mainly hobby and small trailer repair)
What I'm wondering is if anyone here has actually tried to run this machine
with
the stock gun and 3M/10 ft lead to 'push' .030 aluminum thru it. [.035 is
not
called out for the 115 V Model] I already have the advice to buy a
'spoolgun'
etc but really dont want to spend the $200+ to get another attachment that
will
rarely be used.

[Steve B]

"Rudy" <NoS...@no-onehome.net> wrote in message
news:kHFTm.59928$We2....@newsfe09.iad...

I had the same idea when I bought a spoolgun. I proposed it to my salesman,
who I had known for years. He said that aluminum was so soft that it would
birdnest on the rollers, and I'd be cleaning birdsnests and not welding.
There's too much friction in the liner. That's why most spoolguns have a
short plastic tube for a liner. The wire is pushed only a few inches, not a
few feet. Or ten.

Steve

[fran...123]

"Rudy" <NoS...@no-onehome.net> wrote in message
news:kHFTm.59928$We2....@newsfe09.iad...

I haven't head of good results with aluminum and the 115 volt machines. I
don't have such a machine though. Are you using self shielding flux core
wire? Besides the capacity of the machine the pushing of the wire you need
argon shielding for gmaw of aluminum. I didn't say mig as that is often mis
used or can vary from person to person. If you are doing gas shielded flux
core you have the right polarity and at least a gun and regulator for the
gas but it is my understanding self shielded flux cored for steel runs
backwards from most other stuff. If pushing the wire is the only issue 5356
will push better than 4043. One is more recommended for the small machines
I don't know which without searching. keep the hose like thing real
straight and pre heat.

Fran

[42]

Does your machine have a Teflon liner? If yes, give it a shot, it MAY work.
No Teflon, forget it, it ain't going to happen.

"Rudy" <NoS...@no-onehome.net> wrote in message
news:kHFTm.59928$We2....@newsfe09.iad...

[Rudy]

> Are you using self shielding flux core wire? Besides the capacity of
> the machine the pushing of the wire you need
> argon shielding for gmaw of aluminum.

Not FC, Straight AL wire with AR gas

>If pushing the wire is the only issue 5356 will push better than 4043.

Ok, thanks

[Rudy]

> Does your machine have a Teflon liner? If yes, give it a shot, it MAY
> work. No Teflon, forget it, it ain't going to happen.

Dont know, will have to hava look. The manual for the rig says it will work
and Hobart (Miller) is a reputable company as far as I can tell

[Bob La Londe]

"Rudy" <NoS...@no-onehome.net> wrote in message
news:kHFTm.59928$We2....@newsfe09.iad...

Get the spool gun. I knew I was going to be welding aluminum occasionally
when I bought my rig, but I can say that by having the right tool I found
myself doing it more often than I thought I would.