Settings for millermatic 175

[Red]

this newbe just purchased a millermatic 175. I have been trying to weld 1/4 inch aluminum. I have tried setting both the wire speed and voltage to 10. While the bead looks pretty, my hammer and vice say it aint so. It seems that if I hold the gun further away from the material I get better penetration. How much penetration should I be striving for?
I am using .035 wire.
Clean the material with a stainless brush.
Clamp right to the material.
Using Argon gas.

What settings should I be using for the wire speed and voltage? And how far away from the material should the gun be kept?
Any suggestions?

[Arc Burn]

Are you using a spool gun or your mig gun?i never had any luck with alum. and a regular mig gun.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

HI RED...............WELCOME ABOARD...............ALUMINUM IS A FUNNY MATERIAL TO GET TO UNDERSTAND AND WELD....... NOT ONLY DOES IT SOAK UP MOISTURE LIKE A SONGE IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES PREHEATING, THERE ARE MANY GRADES OF THE ALUMINUM AVAILABLE..........I ALWAYS TRY TO MATCH THE WIRE TO THE MATERIAL TYPE..............NOW FOR THE MOST DISHARTENING NEWS OF ALL...........TO AQUIRE THE SKILL TO WELD ALUMINUM WILL REQUIRE MANY PIECES OF SCRAP ALUMINUM TO PRACTICE ON...........YOU WILL NOT PICK THIS SKILL UP IN NO HOUR OR TWO UNLESS YOU ARE VERY TALENTED. HOWEVER THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE ON HERE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO HELP OUT......... AND THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS.........PERHAPS IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON THIS SITE YOU WILL PICK UP OTHER CLUES OTHERS HAVE TRIED AND FIND A WORKABLE SOLUTION FOR YOUR PROJECT.................GOOD LUCK AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT.........................................ROCK
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[Mike Sherman]

Red, you need to be in the spray transfer mode for aluminum. Short circuit won't do, push the weld to allow the Argon to help ionize the oxidation. Aluminum welds will be weaker because of the heat treatment you are causing as you weld. You need to strive for full penetration or back weld with gouging or grinding down to your first weld.

[Red]

Thanks guys. I picked up some more material today after work. It sounds like the key is practice practice practice. One of the many things I don't understand is the term 'spray transfer mode'. Does this refer to the Polarity or the push or both or what? Thanks