How to Weld Aluminum MIG Pak 10

Aluminum welding requires pure argon shielding gas to prevent impurities from contaminating the weld bead.

The Lincoln Electric MIG-Pak 10 is capable of welding aluminum sheets ranging in thickness from 22 gauge to 12 gauge. Aluminum welding with the MIG-Pak 10 requires you to take additional steps in preparing both the welding machine and the metal prior to welding. Because aluminum dissipates heat more quickly than carbon steel, it is a more difficult welding process. The heat from the welding torch may burn holes in the sheeting. With practice you can learn to weld aluminum with your MIG-Pak 10.

Things You'll Need

• Lincoln Electric K664-2 Aluminum Welding Kit .035 in
• Aluminum MIG wire
• 100 percent argon shielding gas
• Clamps
• Wire brush
• Blow torch
• Welding mask and gloves

Instructions

Prepare the MIG-Pak 10 Welder

1. Disconnect the steel MIG welding torch and wire feeder tubing from the MIG-Pak 10 machine. Remove the steel drive roll and slide the steel MIG wire coil off the spindle.

2. Place the aluminum MIG wire coil onto the spindle. Snap the aluminum drive roll into the feeder compartment. Snap the aluminum wire feeding tube and MIG welding torch onto the welding machine. All of these aluminum-welding pieces are included in the Lincoln Electric K664-2 Aluminum Welding Kit.

3. Feed the aluminum MIG wire over the drive roll and into the feeder tube. Close the feeder compartment door and depress the torch trigger to feed the wire into the welding gun.

Prepare the Aluminum

1. Clamp the aluminum sheeting in place. Ensure it does not move during the welding process.

2. Brush the aluminum along the weld seam vigorously to remove dirt, paint and oxidation from the sheeting. Any impurities remaining along the weld seam may cause pitting in the weld bead.

3. Preheat the aluminum along the joint. Use a blow torch up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for better penetration of the weld bead and reduces cracking in the joint.

Weld

1. Strike an arc weld. Hold the MIG-Pak 10 torch tip 1/8 of an inch away from the seam and at a 45-degree angle with the tip pointing toward your direction of travel.

2. Slowly move the torch tip in a small circular pattern along the seam. This will cause the filler wire and metal from both parent plates to melt and mix together to form a solid sheet.

3. Hold your torch at the end of the seam for a few extra seconds to build up a larger pool of molten aluminum at the edge. This will ensure the weld bead fully penetrates at the edge.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to keep the wire feeding tube as straight as possible when welding with aluminum wire to avoid kinking.

• Always weld in a well-ventilated area. Shielding gas can cause asphyxiation.

• Always wear a welding mask and gloves.

• Do not weld near combustible materials or while wearing flammable clothing.

References

• Lincoln Electric: MIG Pak10 Operator's Manual
• Lincoln Electric: Aluminum Welding Kit .035 in
• Lincoln Electric: How to Successfully Weld Aluminum with a Compact MIG Welder
• Lincoln Electric: A Guide to Aluminum Welding