Got a Handler 187 for Chrismas. My first MIG. Question is, what do I need to switch between welding steel and aluminum? Gas I know. How about the liner... do I have to change out the gun cable liner? Contact tip?
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Switching between steel & alum.
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The only thing you NEED to change is the gas and the wire. You'll still use DCEP and you CAN use the same liner, though using steel wire through it first can bring in contaminants that are more detrimental to aluminum welding. A teflon liner (if available) is preferred by some to make it a little easier for the aluminum to feed through the gun.
Keep the gun cable straight as possible when using aluminum and using 5356 is easier to feed but 4043 will still be much easier to weld with and would be my choice if I didn't use a spoolgun.
The Owner's Manuals on these machines (industry-wide, not just with Hobart) are pathetic when it comes to telling you useful information...
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Originally posted by MAC702 View PostKeep the gun cable straight as possible when using aluminum and using 5356 is easier to feed but 4043 will still be much easier to weld with and would be my choice if I didn't use a spoolgun.
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Originally posted by willness33 View PostI have both a spool of 5356 and a spool of 4043, plus a bottle of straight argon. I have yet to try aluminum with my 187, but feeling both wires, I have no idea how 4043 would feed through the liner. That stuff is VERY soft. I highly doubt I'll even try it. Birds nests are no fun.
To initially feed the wire, I took the nozzle parts off the gun, and disconnected the connector end from the welder. Then I fed the wire through the feed rollers, got it started into the cable, then connected the cable to the welder and powered it through the cable. Once it exited the torch I reassembled the diffuser, tip and nozzle on the gun.
5356 was a disaster for me, massive spatter, soot and sparks, which I expected from reading the archives, just couldnt find any sweet spot in the settings. After messing around with settings, 4350 ran perfect, in fact I think I can spray with it (at least I think it's "spray") as I get a constant hissing sound and a smooth continuous bead.
No birds nests at all (which was not the case at all when I first got the welder, and with steel wire to boot), but you need to position the welder so the cable run is a straight shot to you and the workpiece.
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