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13
TYPES OF WELD JOINTS
SPOOL GUN WELDING OPERATION
Your Eastwood MIG135 can be used to weld aluminum utilizing a spool gun. The spool gun is sold as an accessory to the MIG135, and you will also need to
purchase a cylinder of 100% Argon gas from your local welding supplier. This following welding process is just a baseline to get you started.
1.
Refer to the ‘Suggested Settings’ chart which is located inside the side door of your welder. From the chart select your baseline starting point for the
recommended settings described in the chart.
2.
Ensure that the polarity is configured for DCEP welding.
3.
Set the MIG / Spool Gun Selector Switch to ‘Spool Gun’
4.
Connect your ground clamp to the work pieces that are to be welded. Make sure the ground clamp contacts are placed on a clean piece of metal free of
paint, grease, rust, oils, etc. It is recommended to place your ground clamp as close to the weld area as possible.
5.
Assess your weld area and make sure the welding area is also cleaned of any paint, grease, rust, oils, etc. Aluminum has a layer of oxide on the surface
that should be removed prior to welding.
6.
Plug in the welder and switch to the ON position.
7.
Open your gas valve on the bottle and adjust the flow rate if necessary.
8.
Depress the spool gun trigger for a few seconds pointing the welding gun away from your body and then let go of the trigger and cut the wire back to
~3/4” stick out length.
9.
Wearing your welding helmet, gloves, and long sleeve shirt and pants, put the end of the wire sticking out of the spool gun into the joint to be welded.
10.
Position the welding gun so that it is perpendicular to the base metal with 10-15° angle in the direction of push travel.
11.
Depress the trigger to start the wire feed which starts the arc.
12. NOTE:
When welding aluminum with a Spool Gun it is recommended to use a push technique. Using a drag technique will result in poor, dirty welds.
13.
When welding aluminum a spray arc transfer is preferred rather than short arc transfer that can be more commonly used on steels. This method involves
using a longer wire stick out (~3/4"). When the welder settings and technique have been dialed in the spray arc transfer should create a hissing sound and
little or no spatter. Once positioned the trigger can be pulled and the weld started.
14.
Release the trigger on the welding gun to stop the weld.
15.
After finished welding, close the valve completely on the Shielding Gas Bottle.
BUTT WELD
is a joint between two pieces
that are laying in the same direction.
CORNER WELD
is a joint between two pieces
that meet at or near perpendicular at their edges.
EDGE WELD
is a joint between two pieces
where the edges are being joined.
LAP WELD
is a joint between two overlapping
pieces.
TEE WELD
is a joint between two pieces where
one is perpendicular to the other.
PLUG WELD
is a joint which joins two overlapping
pieces by filling in a hole punched in the top piece.
