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Ethridge, TN | I will agree that the big trailer shops around here run MIG welders for the large jobs. If you need something to really "look" nice, or was mentioned "fittings", then the TIG is the better choice.
If your serious about getting into welding your own trailers, you are going to need a MIG welder, and will need a fair amount of practice. If you decide to invest in MIG welder, go the route of a spool gun for the aluminum. I've also tried just the different gun and liner route on a LN-7 Lincoln feeder, more of a PITA than anything else. Aluminum wire don't push for crap if your can't keep the cable perfectly straight, and that somehow is just not part of welding on these trailers.
You will also need a very good stainless steel wire brush, and use it A LOT. You can't use a standard steel wire brush, as it will deposit it's own properties into the aluminum, and you have even more problems. Older, oxidized, material will drive you absolutely nuts. If it ain't clean, your going to have more chicken crap than you know what to do with, either that or holes as you watch the stuff puddle on the floor. If you do a lot of this type of welding, you can get pretty good at it, the ol' practice makes perfect theory. Doing every now and then, you spend alot of time trying to just get it right so it looks presentable on each job. It can be done, but you'll put plenty of time into it. | |
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Aluminum welding help
