1/8 side + 1/8 other = 1/4 penetration ???

[jpence38]

If machine only does 1/8 inch penetration on aluminum,
and lets say I am welding 1/4 inch aluminum plate.
I do one side and flip it over -
is that doing the same thing as one pass with a machine rated for 1/4 inch alum ?

Thanks, Stu

I am curious as to what machine you are thinking gets 1/8 inch penetration on aluminum cause for $1000 you are not going to get a machine that even comes close to that.

And when the size of a fillet weld is measured, it is measured from the leg to the toe and the effective throat is what actually means anything.

I think you may be misunderstanding the ratings for these machines. When they say 1/4 inch, that means that is the max. thickness of base metal for a single pass weld.

[Stu Miles]

What machine are you looking at? If you are looking at a 110 mig for aluminum don't waste your time. If the machine is rated for 1/8" steel it will not do 1/8" aluminum very well. Judging by your $1000 budget you are looking at something bigger?

The advice here is a big help.
I'm see I need to spend more for machine that can plug into 220 for better penitration.
And this characterization makes me understand better -

"So it's almost like a race where you're "chasing the heat." To weld aluminum, you need a machine with enough power to dump enough heat into the puddle faster than it can "leak out" into the surrounding metal."

So guess I will save a little more money and go for the passport,
I'll get a 220 plug into the garage. It's other attributes serve my needs.
The stuff I want to do is not really weight bearing and will not have much stress on it. Just making armatures out of 1/4 " bar. I'll start on steel but would like to try aluminum at some point.

Thanks for the help,
Stu

[Cgotto6]

If these things are not going to be holding hardly any weight you are over thinking this. You are doing a simple butt joint it sounds like, just bevel the weld surfaces and weld them up. Or just take the parts to a local welder and have them weld the pieces you need, it would not cost much.

[Stu Miles]

Ya I guess that's the thing - I 'm on a forum where most of the folks
really do welding for specific heavy duty needs.

My stuff is more hobby related - I attached a photo here of what I am wanting to do - but with aluminum as well as steel.


They will be simple butt joints with 1/4 inch bar.
But I do want to get into aluminum at some point.
If anyone can point me to a tutorial video of a miller passport plus
doing aluminum would appreciate. Can't find any on you tube.

Thanks, Stu