What Aluminum Wire Electrode Alloy Type Should I Buy?
You will not obtain good results attempting to weld on aluminum with a steel wire electrode. Instead, our recommendation is that compact MIG welders should be limited to .035″ diameter 4043 aluminum alloy filler metal. A 5356 aluminum alloy electrode may commonly be recommended by retailers and distributors, since it is a stiffer wire and can be easier to feed. However, with these types of wire feed welders, there is often not enough amperage to achieve a good weld with 5356. Even though 4043 is a softer wire, following the proper steps outlined below will ensure good feedability. Do not use other diameter wires. Specifically, you should avoid 0.030″ wire (it is difficult to feed) and 3/64″ wire (these compact machines do not typically produce enough current to reliably melt this diameter of wire). How Do I Set-Up My Machine to Weld Aluminum? Now that you know the type of machine you want and its capabilities/limitations, it is important to know how best to set it up. Follow these tips
