I am a noob at MIG welding aluminum but I just got a HH210 and a spoolgun. I am about to fab up a tank and have some questions for the experts. I have a few criteria that I need to follow, so I'll give you the down and dirty. I am making a 125 gallon tank (livewell) that must me under 100lbs, and must be robust. I am planning on going with 11 gauge (0.090) but I am afraid that thin of material won't be to forgiving for a novice MIG welder like me. I have TIG'd aluminum many moons ago though. I plan on going with 3003 because the corners will be bent. What do you guys think, to thin, unreal expectations?
Ok here are a few questions also, I have gotten a few prices on "11 gauge" material through my local welding shops and the prices have varied anything for $125-$175 a sheet. I didn't think much about it until I saw the gauge thickness charts on here......those numbers are for STEEL not aluminum. 11 gauge aluminum is .090 but steel is 1/8", BIG difference. I referenced back to my prices and I got to wondering if some of the welding shops assumed I meant 11 gauge steel equivalent instead of .090AL. Also in my haste I didn’t ask if they were quoting me 3003 and not 6061 which I will assume they weren't. Is it "best practice" to assume 11 gauge is referenced as .125 for all materials?
Allen
Ok here are a few questions also, I have gotten a few prices on "11 gauge" material through my local welding shops and the prices have varied anything for $125-$175 a sheet. I didn't think much about it until I saw the gauge thickness charts on here......those numbers are for STEEL not aluminum. 11 gauge aluminum is .090 but steel is 1/8", BIG difference. I referenced back to my prices and I got to wondering if some of the welding shops assumed I meant 11 gauge steel equivalent instead of .090AL. Also in my haste I didn’t ask if they were quoting me 3003 and not 6061 which I will assume they weren't. Is it "best practice" to assume 11 gauge is referenced as .125 for all materials?
Allen
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