JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

Well, I've started a turbo build and realized I can save a little money if I go with aluminum on the cold side tubing. Simple question.. All I have is a MIG welder but currently can't find gas for it. Basically a Flux. Is there any way possible that I can just tack the aluminum with my welder? There is a guy out the road who uses TIG but I'm afraid if I don't get it to him in one piece, it won't be right.

YJ Goat

Yes, However I do not think you will find a flux core aluminum spool. Must have at least Argon gas.

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

I'll look for a spool and a tank. We will see what comes up first, thanks Goat!

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Spool guns will cost more than you think

Make the joint tight, mark alignment strikes with a sharpie and have your friend tack it. Refit and continue

Alternatively, use duct tape wrapped tightly. Have him cut small windows at the joint and tack, refit and continue

Probably be worthwhile to make a day of it and drag the car over. You fit the parts and he weld

garygnu

OP ,what welder do you have ?you can weld aluminum with out a spool gun .you need a clean liner ,not contaminated with any thing .you need argon and a small 1 lb spool of aluminum wire ,they cost $13-19 .you will probably need 150+ amp welder .check out chucke2009 on U-tube ,he did a good vid on welding with out a spool gun .

honda_head

couldn't have said it better.

garygnu

you can get a spool gun for $200 for some horbart welders .most welders need a wiring conversion to work with a spool gun ,a guy on U-tube sells them .you can weld aluminum ,you should install a Teflon liner in the whip .

5spd-iroc

ive seen people use like a water noodle that fits tight inside the pipe, cut into sections, fit your piping and put alignment marks on it with a sharpie

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Swapping liners will lead to a lot of frustration. Think standard copper wire gets caught a lot when the lead isn't dead strait? Aluminum is 10x worse and you can't simply straiten out the lead. The feed wheels grind away on the wire, you you must pull it out and feed fresh up the lead each time

I've been mig welding aluminum for the last 3 years. Spool gun or don't bother. IMHO, you should skip doing any sort of welding and let your friend handle all that. It doesn't make sense to invest in the welder add-ons for such a small project. Plus, mig'ing alum has an extremely limited use for automotive projects. I'd splurge for a tig machine if you're dead set on a multi material rig to use on car projects

A decent spool with box will run $500-2k
Add a bottle of argon at $280
Plus you need to learn how to weld again. Mig on steel is a lot more forgiving than alum

garygnu

saw a guy on U-tube weld aluminum pretty good ,using a 140 HTP with argon ,and a 6ft gun .the main thing with aluminum is the heat sink with aluminum .a 70/30 mix of argon/helium seem to help.

stevieturbo

Access to oxy acetylene or similar ? You can weld aluminium with a flame too.

reinhardt02

fit, match mark, have welder tack, check fit, production weld. slow going, but effective.