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Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:20 am
by jock
Can aluminum be welded with an AC only stick welder?
Thanks for any help.
Jock

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:38 am
by Otto Nobedder
The short answer is,

Yes.

AC is apparently the preferred machine for the same reason high-frequency is used in TIG. It doesn't work well on material under 1/8".

If you google "aluminum SMAW", you'll find more than you ever wanted to know.

Steve

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:08 pm
by kermdawg
Isnt that one of those, short answer yes, but the long answer is no you really dont want to deals?

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 5:02 pm
by Otto Nobedder
Yeah, that about sums it up. :lol:

Steve

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 5:52 pm
by jpence38
I agree.
It falls into that category of:
"Just because you can doesn't always mean you should" :shock:

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:26 am
by jock
Thanks everyone for the info, will google aluminum SMAW.
Gland I found this web site, you all have been a great help to someone just starting welding.
Cheers Jock

Re: Can you Weld aluminum with a stick welder

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:17 am
by shouldershot
The main thing I've learned about stick welding aluminum is to make sure you heat the material up enough before you weld it. It's the fastest you'll ever burn a rod up too.